[SirFozzie]

Yup.. the top two teams automatically gain promotion to the next highest league.

The playoffs start like this...

3rd Place vs 6th Place
4th place vs 5th Place

a home and home series, two games, total goals scored, away goals as a tie breaker, 30 minutes of extra time played if still tied after away goals, and then penalty kicks.

If I remember correctly, the first game is at the lower placed team (5th and 6th place) and the 2nd game is at the 3rd/4th place team. This gives the higher ranked team an advantage to know exactly what result they need to go through (remember, whoever scores more goals at the opponent's stadium is the first tiebreaker if they are tied after two games)

The Playoff Final is played at a neutral stadium (used to be Wembley, currently Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales is used I believe).

Standard Cup Rules, (ie 90 minutes, 30 Minutes Extra time and Penalty Kicks).

The winner earns promotion to the next higher league.

It gives the mid table teams something to shoot for nearer to the end of the year