6 Clubs in the Play-Offs from Next Season 2026/27

[Cooperman]

Spurs currently seeing this as positive news.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Having a 2 legged semi final defeats the whole purpose, but you can always expect defeat from the jaws of victory with the EFL

From a footballing point of view I agree. There’s a rationale that can be argued if 3rd and 4th just had to win 1 home game to get to Wembley.

The way this is being done is purely financial. Not surprised by that and if we’re 7th or 8th next season it’ll be a great decision!!

 

[WPS]

What a load of bull . Please don’t Americanise our game any further.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Seems to me it devalues the merit of promotion if whoever finishes eighth gets there. Even more likely to be a Sunday league outfit in the Prem. It's just a cup competition season end, anything could happen over just a few games. Fluke goal, poor ref etc etc. 46 games should be the leveller, and if there is to be a playoff I'd give it to 3rd and 4th to fight it out as a one off at Wembley.

 

[Malaga]

Wonder if VAR will be used in such consequential games

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Interesting stat for context…

‘The last time a Championship team was promoted to the Premier League after finishing outside of the top-four was in 2018-19, when fifth-placed Aston Villa defeated Derby County, who finished sixth, 2-1 at Wembley.

Blackpool, in 2009-10, were the last club to win the Championship play-off final after finishing the regular season in sixth.‘

 

[JustJack]

The crying about this on socials is hilarious

If you come 3rd in the league then act like it and beat a team you are supposedly 5 places better than

The game is gone for many reasons, but especially the incessent whining

 

[J_B]

Interesting stat for context…

‘The last time a Championship team was promoted to the Premier League after finishing outside of the top-four was in 2018-19, when fifth-placed Aston Villa defeated Derby County, who finished sixth, 2-1 at Wembley.

Blackpool, in 2009-10, were the last club to win the Championship play-off final after finishing the regular season in sixth.‘

I'm trying to remember who Blackpool beat at Wembley but I can't.
Could about 500 people remind me please?

 

[Smurph]

If you finish third and lose in a play off final to a team finishing eighth, you only have yourself to blame.

 

[Smurph]

Seems to me it devalues the merit of promotion if whoever finishes eighth gets there. Even more likely to be a Sunday league outfit in the Prem. It's just a cup competition season end, anything could happen over just a few games. Fluke goal, poor ref etc etc. 46 games should be the leveller, and if there is to be a playoff I'd give it to 3rd and 4th to fight it out as a one off at Wembley.

Guarantee you won’t be crying in to your cornflakes if we’re that team finishing eighth who gets promoted by scoring a flukey goal in a play off final.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Guarantee you won’t be crying in to your cornflakes if we’re that team finishing eighth who gets promoted by scoring a flukey goal in a play off final.

I’d rip my season ticket up in protest

 

[swansvalleyjack]

Guarantee you won’t be crying in to your cornflakes if we’re that team finishing eighth who gets promoted by scoring a flukey goal in a play off final.

If be absolutely pig sick though if we finished third and the eighth team fluked a win in the 95th minute of the final, because of injuries, say, to our key players.

Finishing eighth and being promoted doesn't sit well with me is all. Even if it were us I'd dread the Premier step up ....cannon fodder . No thanks

And yes, people would say ..take the money . But where are Luton now !!

 

[Neath_Jack]

If be absolutely pig sick though if we finished third and the eighth team fluked a win in the 95th minute of the final, because of injuries, say, to our key players.

Finishing eighth and being promoted doesn't sit well with me is all. Even if it were us I'd dread the Premier step up ....cannon fodder . No thanks

And yes, people would say ..take the money . But where are Luton now !!

You think the difference between a 3rd place team and an 8th placed team makes a promoted team being cannon fodder or not? Look at Burnley last year and how they are doing this year, same for Sunderland.

Do the same as me, rip your season ticket up if we get promoted after finishing eighth…

 

[Darran]

You think the difference between a 3rd place team and an 8th placed team makes a promoted team being cannon fodder or not? Look at Burnley last year and how they are doing this year, same for Sunderland.

Do the same as me, rip your season ticket up if we get promoted after finishing eighth…

You can’t rip it it’s plastic.

 

[Neath_Jack]

You can’t rip it it’s plastic.

Knob