NFL owners on Tuesday officially approved the expansion of the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams.
The new structure was agreed during a conference call after the Annual League Meeting was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Three quarters of the 32 NFL owners had to give the green light for the altered format for the changes to come into effect.
From the new season, there will be an extra playoff team in each conference, with only the top seeds in the AFC and NFC securing a postseason bye.
AFC and NFC Wild Card games will see the second seed host the seventh seed, the third and sixth seeds do battle and the fourth and fifth seeds lock horns.
NFL Wild Card Weekend will feature three contests on Saturday January 9 and as many the following day.