The Championship may expand the playoffs: six teams instead of four.

Playoff Expansion in the Championship

According to The Sun: Championship clubs have started discussions on the possibility of expanding the playoffs to six teams.

This initiative aims to bring the format closer to that used in the National League, with the goal of providing teams a chance to reach League Two.

Sunderland celebrates victory in last season's Championship playoffs Shutterstock Editorial

Teams finishing fifth and sixth will face the clubs in seventh and eighth places at home in what is known as the quarter-finals.

The winners of these matches will meet the top four teams.

Unlike the National League, where semi-finals are played at the grounds of the best teams, the Championship will retain a two-legged format. The winners will advance to the final at Wembley, where they will compete for a place in the Premier League.

The CEO of Preston and former Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale, brought this idea to the attention of Championship club executives, and it received positive feedback.

Clubs from League One and League Two have also expressed a desire to participate in this initiative.

However, the EFL is aware that expansion to lower leagues may not seem appropriate until an agreement is reached regarding the system of three promotions and three relegations proposed by the National League.

Currently, their system only allows for two promotions, but Football League officials will not endorse an expansion until fair financial distribution with the Premier League is agreed upon.

Additionally, the EFL aims for fifth division clubs to adhere to the same profitability and sustainability rules that top league clubs have before giving their approval.

However, new opportunities for promotion to the Premier League would undoubtedly be seen as a positive, as they provide a greater chance for teams to reach the elite division.

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So far, there are no plans to present this initiative for consideration and voting.

A source noted: “This is still at the idea and discussion stage. Definitely, there will be no changes this season, but negotiations are ongoing.”

Discussions about playoff expansion continue, and the initiative could change the Championship's trajectory and provide teams with new chances for success. If implemented, this could significantly impact the dynamics of competition in the upcoming seasons.