MTV: A big change is coming to the league playoffs
The league playoffs are changing starting from the 2027–2028 season. According to the plan, the top 10 teams from the regular season will advance to the playoffs.
The top six will receive a direct spot in the quarterfinals. Teams finishing in positions 7–10 will start the playoffs from the first round.
– There is no official decision yet on the format of the new playoff model, but the starting point in all discussions is that 10 teams will advance to the playoffs starting in spring 2028, Markkanen says in an MTV Sports interview.
This would also be a return to the previously familiar playoff qualification. It has not yet been decided whether the first round will be played in a best-of-three or best-of-five format.
– Yes, in this model, the old first round would make a comeback. However, there is no decision yet on whether the round will be best-of-three or best-of-five at this stage. This entire plan is still awaiting a final decision, Markkanen concludes.
The relegation system is also changing
In the new model, there would be 14 teams in the league. The bottom two teams of the regular season would face relegation playoffs.
– Teams finishing in positions 13 and 14 would possibly play a series, with the loser being relegated to a lower level, Markkanen outlines the concepts.
The loser would be relegated to a lower league, while the winner of the lower league would be promoted directly to the league.
The super season will be played in a different format
In the super season of the league starting today, 2026–2027, there will be 17 teams in the league. The top 12 teams from the regular season will advance to the playoffs, and the bottom three will be relegated to a new second-highest league for the 2027–2028 season.
This season, in the first round of the playoffs, the teams finishing in positions 5–12 will meet. The series will be played in a best-of-five format.
The quarterfinals will also be played in best-of-five next spring. The semifinals and finals will use the familiar best-of-seven system.
The bronze medal will be decided in a single match.
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