EFL clubs will cast their votes on Thursday to determine whether to expand the playoffs from four to six teams for the upcoming season. This potential change aims to align the Championship with a model similar to that used in the National League, where teams finishing between second and seventh compete for promotion.
The vote is scheduled for late Thursday morning and will require a majority from all clubs, as well as a separate majority from Championship clubs, to pass. According to the Press Association, the initial decision will focus on the principle of expanding the playoffs. The specific format for the playoffs will be addressed in a future vote, likely during the league’s annual general meeting this summer.
Under the proposed structure, teams finishing third to eighth in the Championship would enter the playoffs, while the top two teams would secure automatic promotion to the next tier. This shift has gained attention following the National League’s playoff format, which features single-leg eliminators between the fourth and seventh-placed teams, as well as the fifth and sixth-placed teams, leading to semi-finals with the top teams.
Last season, Oldham secured the National League playoff championship despite finishing a significant 23 points behind second-placed York. This result has reignited discussions about the promotion system, particularly why only two teams ascend to League Two from the National League. While there is interest in potentially increasing the number of promotions from three to four teams in this league, a vote on that matter will not take place at the upcoming meeting. Clubs will need to receive comprehensive briefing papers and voting slips ahead of such discussions.
The two-day all-club meeting commenced on Wednesday, featuring presentations by David Kogan, the chair of the Independent Football Regulator, and Richard Monks, the chief executive. Their insights are expected to inform club executives on various important matters, including the playoff expansion proposal.
As the EFL considers this significant change, the outcome of Thursday’s vote could reshape the competitive landscape of English football and enhance opportunities for teams aiming for promotion.
