The Championship will feature an expanded play-off format for the 2026-27 season, allowing teams finishing seventh and eighth to compete for promotion to the Premier League. This change aims to increase competitiveness in the league's final stages, with a one-legged quarter-final followed by traditional two-legged semi-finals leading to a final at Wembley.
Historically, sixth-placed teams have had limited success in the play-offs, with only seven promotions since the system's inception. The new format raises questions about fairness and the meritocracy of promotion, as teams with fewer wins could potentially compete against those with significantly better records.