The Playoffs' Bittersweet Legacy: A Look at the Championship's Promotion Dance The Football League playoffs have become an integral part of English football's landscape.
Since their introduction 40 years ago, they've provided a thrilling conclusion to each season and a chance for teams outside the top flight to earn promotion. The economic imperative behind the playoffs is complex.
On one hand, participating teams must shell out substantial fees to compete in the final rounds of matches, which can be crippling for smaller clubs.