From Chelsea relegation to £200m game: the evolution of EFL play-offs

The EFL play-off system has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last 40 years. Back in 1988, in only their second season of existence, the play-offs saw Chelsea relegated to the second tier after a two-legged defeat to Middlesbrough. At that time, the format included teams from both the first and second divisions competing for promotion and survival.

Since those early days, the competition has evolved significantly. What began as a strategic move to restructure the English league system has become the most valuable game in world football. A final at Wembley now commands a 90,000-strong crowd and is estimated to be worth around £200m to the winning club.

Further structural shifts are on the horizon, as the Championship play-offs are set to expand in the 2027-28 season. The competition will grow to include six teams, adding an eliminator round before the traditional semi-finals. This change mirrors systems already in place in lower-tier football, designed to keep the race for promotion competitive until the final day.

For the players involved, the unique intensity of the play-offs remains unmatched. Former professional Tommy Smith highlights the concept of 'jeopardy' as the defining feature of the format.

The play-offs do strange things to you. Moments in time. It brings out things in games that you just don't see in a normal season. Tommy Smith