Championship play-offs REVAMPED - the big 26/27 change explained

The Story So Far

West Ham United and other top-flight clubs are monitoring a significant restructure of the Championship play-off format, set for implementation during the 2026/27 season. These revisions will alter the traditional pathway used by teams to secure promotion to the Premier League. The upcoming changes aim to modernize the post-season tournament that determines the final club joining the elite division each year. Although the Hammers currently maintain their status in the highest tier, any adjustments to the promotion system impact the broader landscape of English football and the identification of future league rivals from the secondary division’s revised knockout competition structure.