The EFL Championship set to expand playoffs to six teams in controversial move

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Championship playoffs six teams from next season

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that it will be expanding the Championship playoffs to six teams moving forward.

In one of the biggest changes, not just to the second tier but the domestic football pyramid in some time, it’s so far divided opinion – and that’s putting it mildly.

Starting from next season, the Championship will see half a dozen compete in its final knockout phase, meaning that the conclusion to the 2026/27 campaign has the potential to be even tastier than ever.

Besides the increased competition this will bring to the division itself, in turn, it could also help further mix things up in the Premier League too.

Revealing the watershed news on Thursday, 5 March, the EFL shared the update online, which has certainly left fans split over the decision.

Well, in truth, it seems the majority have been left shocked and angered by the announcement, with many responding with comments like, “Who asked for this?” and “Final nail in the coffin”, as well as citing “money” and “nothing but greed” as the main drivers for the changes.

EFL clubs obviously voted for the big shake-up as the added chance of fighting their way into the top flight will no doubt benefit them financially.

It remains to be seen whether this could signal similar adjustments made further down the ranks.

However, as many replied under the posts on social media, one key fear is that a team finishing in 8th – the new threshold for making it into the playoff stages – will be “slaughtered in the Prem” and that, if anything, it will highlight and/or widen the gap between the two leagues even more.

Most simply said that the current system is just “fine as it is” and “if ain’t broke don’t fix it”, but it looks like the wheels are already well and truly in motion.

Safe to say that this is just a small taste of the overall reactions and almost universal consensus…

As detailed in the official statement by the EFL, Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the Play-Offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.

“Following several months of discussion with Clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more Clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”

They also clarified that “the exact final format will be agreed later in 2026.”

Are you a fan of a Championship club? Even if not, what do you make of the impending and controversial changes kicking off this year?

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Featured Images — Ben Sutherland (via Flickr)/EFL

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