The English Football League is reportedly considering adding a new round to the Championship play-offs which could give more teams the chance of promotion to the Premier League.
Two automatic promotion spots are currently available in the Championship, with the teams finishing from third to sixth entering the play-offs.
According to the Athletic, EFL bosses are reportedly considering expanding the play-offs to include teams who finish seventh and eighth in the division.
Under the proposed plan, the team that finishes fifth would play the eighth placed side, while sixth would meet seventh.
The highest ranked team would play their home ground in the eliminator matches.
The format would reportedly mirror the National League, which restructured its play-off format back in 2017, introducing single eliminator fixtures.
The EFL are reportedly considering expanding the Championship play-offs (Pictured: Sunderland winning the 2025 play-off final)
Under the EFL plan, the winners of the initial eliminator round would advance to the play-off semi-finals.
These would be held in their current two-legged format, with the winners progressing to Wembley to contest the final.
The plans were reportedly well received when they were presented by Preston North End chief executive Peter Risdale.
The report claims the move earned support by giving more clubs a chance at promotion, while reducing the number of dead rubber matches at the end of the campaign as clubs would have more chance of a top eight finish.
Only Championship clubs have been consulted on the plans to date, but the EFL are reportedly keen expanding the League One and League Two play-offs.
Any change to the competition would have to be approved by the FA board, while the Premier League are said to have resisted similar proposals in the past amid concerns over diluting the quality of the top flight.
The play-offs were first introduced back in 1987, with the Championship play-off final having become considered as the richest match in football due to the financial rewards of promotion to the Premier League.
Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley in May, with the match worth a reported £200m.
