Inside Championship play-off voting reveals club feelings about radical new format

The Championship play-offs will feature six teams from next season, instead of the usual four, after EFL clubs voted in favor of the proposed new format this week.

Plans to increase the number of teams participating in the Championship play-offs from four to six were passed overwhelmingly in an EFL vote on Thursday, with just one club voting against.

Confirmation arrived on Thursday that the current play-off format, widely seen as one of the most exciting features of the three divisions, would be changed from next season, and the news divided opinion on social media. However, although fans questioned the decision to pass the initiative and some criticized it, it has proven to be very popular among clubs.

New reporting from The Athletic reveals that Tranmere Rovers were the only club to vote against the proposal, which was passed unanimously by the Championship side.

A majority was required from the teams in each division. So the threshold for a vote to pass was 37. Three teams were absent from the vote, resulting in 67 votes in favor, one vote against, and one abstention.

read more: “Playoff discussions are short-sighted…changes could be even better.”read more: EFL clubs vote to approve radical new Championship play-off format as start date set

The new format, which will take effect in the 2026-27 season, will leave two championship semi-finals, with the teams finishing third and fourth, respectively, advancing. 5th and 6th place will play a one-off home game against 8th and 7th place respectively to determine who will advance to the semi-finals.

The report notes that under Coventry City chairman Doug King’s proposal, the third-placed team would have the benefit of playing the bottom of the table in order to advance from that game.

Reaction to this change was divided, with the majority of fans criticizing the move. Gary Rowett, who has just been appointed as Leicester City’s head coach, admits he is not a “huge fan” of the idea.

“From a commercial, financial and excitement standpoint, I can understand why people would want to put a team into the playoffs. They were successful, but it’s debatable whether team six has a chance to move up the standings if they finish 25 points behind team three,” he said.

“So, as a football purist, I’m not a huge fan, but I understand why the club are so keen on more opportunities to get this golden ticket, this £150m or whatever it is.

“Sometimes you change things all the time and the game becomes less and less recognizable, but maybe I’m just miserable.”

Neil Warnock, the manager who has enjoyed the most success in the playoffs since they were introduced in 1987, sees some positives. “I thought it was a bad thing when I first came in, but it turned out to be a good thing. It’s definitely for me anyway. I finished in every position and got promoted, so I don’t think it matters,” he told BBC Sport.

“There will be more momentum for mid-table teams after Christmas, but it will be more difficult for teams who finish third or fourth as there will be a bit more of a chance for others to conquer the top teams.”

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