The SPFL have told Championship clubs about a plan to reduce the number of play-off games needed to get into the Premiership. Right now, the team that finishes third or fourth in the second tier has to go through a tough six games to get promoted. Meanwhile, the team that finishes eleventh in the Premiership only has to play two games.
The Competitions Working group has a proposal where Championship club three could play club four over one leg instead of two starting in the 2026-27 season. Club three would get to play at home. The winner of that match would then face the league runners-up in a one-off game with club two playing at home.
The team that comes out on top would then play against the team that finishes eleventh in the Premiership over two legs to decide who gets to move up to the top flight. If this plan was in place now, Ayr United would have played against Partick Thistle at home in a one-off game to see who plays Livingston in West Lothian.
During a virtual meeting with league Chief Executive Neil Doncaster and Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie, Championship sides were presented with these ideas. They were also told that the 50% gate levy on play-off games would be taken out and the gate earnings from play-off games would be shared equally.
These plans are part of a bigger set of ideas that could see the Championship grow from 10 to either 12 or 14 teams. Depending on the final size of the Championship, a new League One with 16 or 18 teams would be created. An eight-team League Two would be formed with clubs invited through a ‘participation agreement’ rather than regular league membership. This move is meant to help traditional community clubs that have fallen out of the league, but it might not sit well with ambitious clubs lower down the pyramid. League Two teams would also get invites to domestic cup competitions.
Chairmen and Chief Executives from Leagues One and Two are set to meet with league officials today to discuss these plans. They will have the chance to give their thoughts on the proposals and suggest any changes they feel are necessary.
Not really sure why this all matters, but the SPFL seems to be trying to shake things up a bit with these new ideas. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like they’re trying to make things more interesting for the fans. Time will tell if these changes are for the better or if they end up causing more problems than they solve.
