Promotion is still guaranteed for first and second place in the league, but the competition for third place is intensifying.
For a long time, clubs placed 3-6 in the final table have met in the semifinals (two-legged ties) and then settled the outcome in a decisive match. Starting next season, teams 5 and 8 and 6 and 7 will meet in single matches, and the winners will take on teams 3 and 4 in the semifinals over two legs.
The Premier League qualifying final is seen as the single match in international club football with the greatest financial value.
Sunderland's victory against Sheffield United this spring gave the club around SEK 2.5 billion in revenue.
