The EFL have confirmed that next season's Championship play-offs will involve six teams instead of four in a radical shakeup. A vote between EFL clubs took place on Thursday morning and they approved the change.

It means that the team which finishes eighth in the Championship could be promoted to the Premier League in 2027 alongside the two automatic spots. The new format - which has split opinion among supporters - will be similar, but not identical, to the one used in the National League.

Teams finishing third and fourth in the Championship will progress directly to the semi-final stage. Two one-legged quarter-final matches will be played, with fifth at home to eighth and sixth hosting seventh. Semi-finals will continue to be played over two legs before the final at Wembley.

A six-team format has been used in the National League since the 2017-18 season, conversely with one-legged semi-finals. The EFL say that the Championship's new format will 'increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign'.

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Trevor Birch, chief executive of the EFL, 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 proposal to expand the Championship play-offs has been under consideration for a number of years. Last month, a vote was approved by the EFL board and FA.

Do you agree with the change? Have your say in the comments section.

Meanwhile, another general meeting between all clubs is scheduled to take place next week regarding the National League's 3UP campaign. Although no vote is planned, clubs will discuss the proposal which the National League says is a 'no-brainer'.

Currently, only two teams are promoted from English football's fifth tier, one automatically and another via the play-offs. A statement on the National League's website reads: "Implementing 3UP will increase fairness of the whole system and provide more inspiration to National League clubs, fans and their communities.

"Levelling up the league with the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) will provide long-term economic benefits and stability to National League clubs plus the local business infrastructures around them."

"There are 72 teams in the National League's three division system plus dozens more clubs currently competing in the EFL that have benefitted from their time in the National League. This is why for all our current clubs, fans and communities."

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