POV: If It Ain’t Broke… (Joe Citrone)

Star Sports social media assistant and football writer JOE CITRONE reacts to the announcement that the EFL Championship play-offs will be expanded to six teams from next season…

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What’s that old saying? If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it…

That was the first thing that sprang to mind when I saw the EFL’s announcement of a new overhaul to the Championship play-offs. From the 2026/27 season, the format will expand to include six teams instead of four and consist of seven fixtures.

The next thought was a very simple question… why?

Maybe that’s my naivety showing, because we all know the answer by now, don’t we? Money.

When the idea was first floated, I had hoped the Championship clubs – who were asked to vote on the proposal collectively – might recognise that this isn’t what the fans want and take a stand against it. Again, perhaps that was naive.

What really stings about this, though, is that amid all the complaints people have about modern football – from dreadfully frustrating time-wasting tactics to endless debates about refereeing and VAR – there is one thing almost everyone agrees on.

The play-offs are brilliant.

And now that’s being messed with as well.

It can’t go on like this, can it…?

From the 26/27 season, the #SkyBetChampionship Play-Offs will be expanded to six teams.

Read more: https://t.co/E8Njme9iOL#EFL pic.twitter.com/eWqfM8TB08

— EFL (@EFL) March 5, 2026

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