‘Excellent’ - Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann voices his support for League One play-off expansion proposal
Grant McCann would be open to the idea of an expanded play-off format in League One
Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has expressed his support for a possible expansion of the current League One promotion play-off format.
This season, the Championship has introduced a new play-off system, which has expanded the qualifying positions by two places. This means six clubs outside of the top two automatic places will be in with a shot at promotion, rather than four.
EFL clubs voted in March to make the change and the 2026/27 season marks the start of its implementation in the second-tier.
However, it might not be too long before the third-tier of English football follows suit, with League One representatives reportedly submitting a proposal to the EFL, with a decision expected to be made in due course.
When speaking about the idea, McCann said: “I believe there's a meeting that League One clubs want to bring any more sort of teams into the playoffs as well. That would be excellent for everybody.”
McCann led Rovers to a 14th place finish last season after winning the League Two title in 2024/25 and has spoken openly about trying to both improve on last term and even mount a challenge for the play-offs.
He added: “Our remit this year is to try and improve on what we did last year.
“And if that can get us closer to the promised land, if they bring any of the teams into the playoffs, then great. If not, then we'll continue to work hard and try to move as quickly as we can up this league.”
Rovers have previously competed in the play-offs twice under McCann’s stewardship. In the 2023/24 campaign after a run of 11 wins in 13 matches, Rovers suffered a play-off semi-final defeat to Crewe Alexander via penalties.
While they were also beaten in the League One play-off semi-finals by Charlton Athletic - again on penalties - during McCann’s first stint in charge back in 2018/19.