Playoff Structure Change

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Looks like this is going to a vote. I’d imagine most clubs in the Championship would vote in favour. Possibly some of the yo-yo clubs would be against?

EFL clubs to vote on expanding Championship playoffs to six clubs

EFL clubs will vote next month on an expansion of the Championship playoffs to six teams after approval from the FA board

www.theguardian.com

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Probably a tactical insurance policy to get Man City promoted from the Chamionship to Premier League if they get hit with relegation and a hefty points deduction for alleged FFP breaches.

 

[Cooperman]

It’s a no from me. Not a fan of the idea of the 8th best team fluking a few results at the end of the season and ending up as the whipping boys of the Premier League.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

It’s a no from me. Not a fan of the idea of the 8th best team fluking a few results at the end of the season and ending up as the whipping boys of the Premier League.

I’m inclined to agree, although Burnley have got 100 points twice in the last 3 years and been relegated immediately (assuming this season plays out as expected).

Sunderland also proving it’s what you do in the summer, not the season before that counts.

1/3 of the teams in the league being in there seems too many, although it would make the end of this season very interesting!

 

[JustJack]

If it is like the National League Format then yes

3rd team gets home advantage in one game semi final

 

[Cooperman]

1/3 of the teams in the league being in there seems too many, although it would make the end of this season very interesting!

And that’s the driver; entertainment and therefore more income for those involved.

 

[Niigata Jack]

It’s a no from me. Not a fan of the idea of the 8th best team fluking a few results at the end of the season and ending up as the whipping boys of the Premier League.

Nor me, it goes without saying that this idea is all about money and especially Tv money.

 

[malc]

The league system the best teams over 46 games gets promoted .

What next the bottom 8 have a play-off to see who is relegated .

 

[cmajack]

The league system the best teams over 46 games gets promoted .

What next the bottom 8 have a play-off to see who is relegated .

Perhaps the bottom 8 can play off and the winner gets a wild card spot into the promotion play offs.

 

[Smurph]

Embrace the change, gives teams more to play for with more chance of getting promoted, what's not to like

 

[J_B]

Doesn’t Scotland have some weird system where a team near the bottom of the SPL plays off against a team near the top of the Scottish Championship?

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Perhaps the bottom 8 can play off and the winner gets a wild card spot into the promotion play offs.

Plenty of weird splits and playoffs across Europe, but the Belgian league certainly seems to be the most bonkers, with points being halved after 30 games before a 3-way split!

Belgian Pro League - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

*I think the Cymru Premier is adopting something similar in terms of a 3-way split next season - all about driving interest and revenue for clubs I guess.

JD Cymru Premier format confirmed for 2026/27 - JD Cymru Leagues

Following the release of the JD Cymru Premier strategy, an extensive structure review has taken place with multiple league formats evaluated.

faw.cymru

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Doesn’t Scotland have some weird system where a team near the bottom of the SPL plays off against a team near the top of the Scottish Championship?

Think that's still pretty common across Europe (including Germany of the 'big' leagues)

Our first ever promotion in the playoffs involved a team from the league above - some of my first Swans memories are those home playoff matches against Rotherham and Torquay then listening to the away legs on the radio.

1988 Football League play-offs - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[malc]

Embrace the change, gives teams more to play for with more chance of getting promoted, what's not to like

I thought the essence of sport was to win then being rewarded .
Not being average then going into a playoff
Where is the sense in that .

 

[Cooperman]

Embrace the change, gives teams more to play for with more chance of getting promoted, what's not to like

Where do we stop? This could run until we give twenty four teams a chance over a forty six game play off.

There was an example in the National League last year which generated some interest. York finished second with 96 points, but lost a one off game to Oldham, who finished fifth with 73 points. York had won ten more games than Oldham in the regular season. That doesn’t sit well with me.