THE English Football League (EFL) have confirmed the Championship play-offs will expand from four to six teams from next season.
EFL clubs approved the changes to the play-off system which will take effect from the 2026/27 campaign.
Coventry City currently lead the Championship table and have reached the play-offs in two of the last three campaigns.
Should the Sky Blues achieve promotion this season, Coventry would not be affected by the changes to the play-off system.
The EFL state the change is “intended to increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign”.
EFL chief executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the play-offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.
“Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
The new format for the play-offs would consist of seven post-season fixtures.
Teams finishing fifth to eighth would play an initial eliminator before progressing to the next stage.
The winners of the eliminators then progress to the semi-finals to play the third and fourth-placed sides in a two-legged tie.
And the winners of the semi-finals will then meet in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The EFL have confirmed the exact final format will be agreed later this year.
The current play-off format has been in place since the 1989/90 season.
