Championship play-off changes, new managers & star players

The 2026/27 EFL season is here! <p>We kick off on Friday night with Wolves vs Blackburn Rovers, and every Championship, League One and League Two game is LIVE this weekend!</p><p>But what have we got in store for the new campaign? We take a look at some of the key stories...</p><h2><strong>Championship</strong></h2><h3>From top six to top eight... a new play-off system has arrived!</h3><widget id="3"></widget><p>The most significant alteration to domestic football in decades has happened over the summer, with the Championship play-offs expanding from a top-six spot to a top-eight position this season, presenting clubs with more opportunity for promotion.</p><ul><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp" target="_blank"><strong>Transfer Centre LIVE!</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/EFLblogarticles" target="_blank"><strong>Latest EFL news and rumours</strong></a></li><li><strong>Got Sky? </strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/EFLwatcharticles" target="_blank"><strong>Watch EFL games LIVE on your phone</strong></a>📱</li><li><strong>Not got Sky? </strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Latest Sky Sports deals</strong></a><strong> or </strong><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports/football/efl?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>stream EFL games with no contract</strong></a>📺</li></ul><h3>What has (and hasn't) changed?</h3><ul><li>1st and 2nd are automatically promoted as normal.</li><li>3rd and 4th still qualify for the semi-finals.</li><li>5th vs 8th and 6th vs 7th in one-off eliminator ties at the home of the side who finishes higher up the league.</li><li>The winners of the eliminator ties progress to the semi-finals, to face 3rd and 4th in two-legged ties with the second leg at the home of the side that finishes higher up the league.</li><li>One other key thing to note is that, whatever happens, 3rd will face the <strong>lowest-ranked team remaining</strong> in the semi-finals. So if 8th beats 5th, and 6th beats 7th in the eliminators, 3rd will face 8th and 4th will face 6th. There is no pre-set path for the semi-finals before the eliminators.</li><li>As per usual, the winners of the two semi-finals meet at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.</li></ul><h3><strong>Are the relegated clubs automatic favourites?</strong></h3> <widget id="4"></widget><p>It did not take long for West Ham and Wolves to be installed as favourites for an immediate return to the Premier League.</p><p>The Hammers are playing at this level for the first time in 14 years, and have kept hold of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and key asset Jarrod Bowen.</p><p>Both are familiar with this level, Nuno won the Championship - with Wolves - in 2018, while Bowen played in it with Hull City before he left for east London.</p><p>Wolves, meanwhile, replaced boss Rob Edwards with the relatively unknown quantity of Cesar Peixoto in the summer. But the quality in their squad could prove telling - with the likes of Andre, Mateus Mane and Santi and Hugo Bueno sticking about.</p><p>They have also added Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier to the bank. Experience and class.</p><p>It is Burnley where a bit more uncertainty lingers. They have appointed a new head coach in Nicky Hayen, a 45-year-old Belgian who has previously managed Club Brugge and Genk.</p><p>But it is worth remembering the Clarets have won promotion in their last two Championship seasons - both times with 100+ points. They are experts at this level.</p><p>According to the <em>Sky Sports supercomputer, </em>West Ham and Wolves are the two favourites, with Burnley in fourth just behind Middlesbrough...</p> <widget id="2"></widget><h3><strong>Middlesbrough go big to try and get over the line</strong></h3><p>It was some campaign for Middlesbrough last season. They spent more days in the top two than any other club, but managed to finish fifth.</p><p>They were then the victim of the Spygate saga, lost to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals, were reinstated to the final, then lost at Wembley to a stoppage-time Oli McBurnie goal for Hull City.</p><p>But any potential hangover looks like it has already been left behind with some of their work in the transfer window.</p><p>Owner Steve Gibson has taken his chequebook out and spent serious money to strengthen. Striker Will Lankshear has already made his mark with the winning goal against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup. He scored 11 goals for a struggling Oxford side last season and arrives from Spurs.</p><p>Sebastian Berhalter comes in, having last been seen playing for the USA at the World Cup, while goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United is also an eye-catching addition. He impressed on loan at Bristol City last season.</p><p>Kim Hellberg and some Boro fans may be wondering where this backing was in January when they were crying out for reinforcements, but it has certainly led to a swell of excitement at the Riverside about what's possible this season.</p> <widget id="14"></widget><h3><strong>Can Southampton escape Spygate scandal?</strong></h3> <widget id="5"></widget><p>It was the story that dominated the landscape of last season. A shockwave went around the footballing world when Southampton were expelled from the play-offs after their role in the Spygate scandal.</p><p>But the club were quick to back Tonda Eckert, and although an FA charge still hangs over the boss, they have tried to move on and heal the wounds caused by the damage.</p><p>Fears of a player exodus have been quelled, with only midfielder Shea Charles departing so far, and the club has brought in goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and striker Cyle Larin permanently, after both starred on loan in the second half of last season.</p><p>They will have to overcome a four-point deduction. But they came from a long way back last season with a remarkable run in the seco...