The big format change will take effect from next season
The Championship play-offs will feature six teams from next season.
The EFL announced its clubs had passed a proposal to increase the number of play-off participants from four to six at an all-club meeting on Thursday.
Supporters of the change believe it will create more interest in the run-in to the Championship season, as it gives more teams a chance to qualify for the post-season and a shot at promotion to the Premier League. Teams finishing between third and eighth will be involved.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch 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 National League currently operates a six-team play-off tournament, where the teams finishing second and third progress straight to the semi-finals while those finishing fourth to seventh compete in quarter-finals.
A similar system will be used in the Championship, with teams finishing from fifth to eighth playing in eliminator ties and the winners going on to face the third and fourth-placed teams in two-legged semi-finals.
The final format will be agreed later in 2026.
The current format in the EFL – with a single-leg final at Wembley preceded by two-leg semi-finals – has been in place since the 1989-90 season.
The Championship play-off final has come to be regarded as the most lucrative single game in world football, given a place in the Premier League is at stake to the winners.
Sunderland were last season’s victors, overcoming Sheffield United 2-1. The success was estimated to have secured a minimum of £200million in extra income for the Black Cats.
The statement issued by the EFL on Thursday read: “At a General Meeting today, EFL Clubs approved changes to expand the number of teams competing in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs from four to six, starting in the 2026/27 season.
“The decision is intended to increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign, while also giving two additional Clubs the opportunity to reach the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium and progress to the Premier League.”
Wrexham are currently in sixth place in the Championship table with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Swansea City currently sit in 16th place, with 11 points between them and the play-off spots.