The EFL Championship promotion play-off is one of the most dramatic events in English football. Make sure to also explore the top betting sites - 1xBet is packed with English football bets.
It decides which club earns the final promotion place to the Premier League after the regular Championship season ends. While the teams finishing 1st and 2nd are promoted automatically, the clubs placed 3rd to 6th enter the play-offs for one last chance at reaching the top flight. The 1xBet top betting sites also feature great matches where teams can gain promotion too.
Four teams that fight for a coveted place
The format currently involves 4 teams. The side finishing 3rd plays the team that finishes 6th, while 4th place faces 5th place in the semi-finals. While waiting for the next edition of the EFL Championship, feel free to also enjoy crash games in Kenya through 1xBet, which can entertain you a lot.
These ties are played over two legs, with each club hosting 1 match. The higher-ranked team gets home advantage in the 2nd leg, which is considered important because the decisive match is played in front of their own supporters. And before those matches take place, you can also enjoy crash games in 1xBet Kenya, which can deliver endless fun too.
The winner of each semi-final is determined by aggregate score across both games. Unlike some European competitions, the away-goals rule does not apply. If the aggregate score is level after the second leg, the match goes to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
A spectacular final match
The two semi-final winners then meet in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium. There is popular football betting live at 1xBet that can also be made on this final too.
The final is a single match and is often described as the richest game in football because promotion to the Premier League can be worth more than £200 million. This is through television revenue, sponsorship and commercial income.
The play-offs are famous for their intensity and unpredictability. Clubs that narrowly missed automatic promotion often face teams entering the competition with strong momentum, creating high-pressure matches watched by millions around the world.
The format, however, is set to change from the 2026-27 season. EFL clubs recently voted to:
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expand the Championship play-offs from 4 teams to 6;
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this means that, under the new structure, teams finishing 5th to 8th will play eliminator matches;
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while the clubs finishing 3rd and 4th will advance directly to the semi-finals.
Some highly popular live football betting is always available at 1xBet on these kinds of decisive matches too.
