EFL Considers Expanding Championship Play-offs to Boost Competition
The English Football League (EFL) is exploring the possibility of expanding the Championship play-offs to include clubs finishing in seventh and eighth place. This proposal has garnered significant support from club executives, according to reports from Sky Sports News. The idea was initially presented by Peter Ridsdale, chief executive of Preston North End and former chairman of several clubs including Leeds United and Burnley, during discussions with fellow Championship executives earlier this month.
Last week, the EFL formally communicated this proposal to the 24 Championship clubs, receiving positive feedback. While the EFL Board is now considering the plan, it has been confirmed that any changes will not take effect this season. Regulations prohibit altering competition rules once the season has commenced, and any final proposal will need the endorsement of both the Football Association and the Premier League.
The expansion aims to address concerns regarding the competitive balance in the Championship. Many in the league believe that parachute payments—financial support given to relegated teams—have distorted competition, making it more challenging for clubs without these payments to vie for promotion. By incorporating the seventh and eighth place teams into the play-off mix, the EFL hopes to reduce the number of ‘dead rubbers’—matches with no impact on playoff standings—toward the end of the season. This change would provide more clubs, particularly those without parachute payments, a legitimate opportunity to compete for promotion.
Debate continues regarding whether a similar expanded play-off format should be adopted in Leagues One and Two. Lower league clubs may be hesitant to embrace this model, particularly in light of persistent calls from the National League for a three-up, three-down promotion system, which the EFL has resisted. Currently, only two clubs are promoted each season from outside the Football League.
Proposed Format for Expanded Play-offs
The proposed play-off format would differ from that used in the National League, which already features an expanded play-off involving eight teams. Under the new Championship proposal, teams finishing third and fourth would automatically qualify for the semi-finals. The fifth through eighth place teams would compete in one-off eliminator matches, with the two winners advancing to the semi-finals. These semi-finals would maintain the current two-legged format leading to the final at Wembley Stadium.
This concept is not entirely new; it has been suggested multiple times over the past two decades, including recent proposals by former Crystal Palace and Bristol City chief executive Phil Alexander, now interim CEO of the National League. This time, the sentiment among Championship clubs appears more favorable, with broad support emerging from club boardrooms.
Despite the enthusiasm for the proposal, gaining approval from the FA and Premier League could present challenges. Some sources suggest that expanding the play-offs may dilute the quality of competition, particularly given the recent trend of newly promoted clubs being relegated after just one season in the Premier League.
As discussions progress, it remains to be seen how this potential change will unfold and whether it will ultimately reshape the Championship landscape. The ongoing dialogue reflects a broader ambition within the EFL to enhance competitiveness and engagement in English football.
