Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Hull City are among the clubs who could be impacted by major changes to the Championship next season.
In the second tier of English football, there are two automatic promotion slots and then a third place in the Premier League awarded to the winner of the play-offs.
Currently, the four clubs placed between third and sixth battle it out for the remaining place in the top flight.
However, it appears there could be a major change to the format introduced for the 2026/27 season.
Sheffield United were beaten by Sunderland in last season's Championship play-off final.placeholder image
Sheffield United were beaten by Sunderland in last season's Championship play-off final. | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
EFL clubs set to vote
According to Sky Sports, the Championship play-offs are likely to include six clubs from next season. All of the EFL’s member clubs will vote on whether or not to introduce the new format at an extraordinary general meeting on March 5.
It has been suggested there is widespread support for the idea among Championship clubs, despite some concerns from Premier League outfits regarding the diluting of quality.
If the vote is passed, the Championship play-offs would also include the clubs who finish in seventh and eighth.
Leeds United were beaten by Southampton in the Championship play-off final in 2024.placeholder image
Leeds United were beaten by Southampton in the Championship play-off final in 2024. | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
How the proposed format would work
Like in the National League, there would be an eliminator round pitting the fifth-placed team against the eighth-placed team and the sixth-placed team against the seventh-placed team. These would be one-legged games at the home of the highest-ranked side.
The winners of those eliminator ties would face the clubs who finished in third and fourth in semi-final battles, setting up for the final at Wembley.
While there is not yet going to be a vote on extending the format across League One and League Two, it is reportedly likely to follow in the coming years if it is adopted in the Championship and garners support from further down the pyramid.
There needs to be a majority of clubs in the Championship agreeing to the change (13 of 24) and a majority of all clubs to vote in favour too (37 of 72).
Middlesbrough currently sit top of the Championship and could be in the Premier League by the time next season arrives, as could fourth-placed Hull. Sheffield United have late hopes of surging into the top six but each of the aforementioned clubs could potentially still be in the second tier next term.