EFL Championship
English football league.
The EFL Championship, officially known as the Sky Bet Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of English football and the highest division of the English Football League (EFL). Founded in 2004 as a rebranding of the former First Division, it sits directly below the Premier League in the English football pyramid. The Championship features 24 clubs competing for promotion to the top flight, with a mix of former Premier League teams, long-standing second-tier clubs, and ambitious sides rising from lower divisions.
The Championship season typically runs from August to May, with each team playing 46 matches: two against every other team, one home and one away. At the end of each season, the top two teams gain automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the teams finishing third through sixth enter a playoff tournament for the final promotion spot. The playoff final, held at Wembley Stadium, is often referred to as the richest game in football due to the enormous financial rewards of Premier League status. Conversely, the bottom three teams are relegated to EFL League One.
The Championship is renowned for its competitiveness and unpredictability. It has become one of the most-watched second-tier football leagues globally, with an average attendance of 20,489 in the 2017–18 season, second only to the German 2. Bundesliga in terms of second-tier leagues worldwide. The league's popularity is reflected in its substantial television rights deals and the significant investments made by club owners seeking Premier League promotion.
Notable clubs such as Leeds United, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa have featured in the Championship in recent years, alongside smaller clubs experiencing their highest-ever league positions. The unpredictable nature of the league, where any team can beat another on a given day, contributes to its popularity and reputation as one of the most exciting leagues in English football.
The Championship serves as a crucial bridge between the lower leagues and the Premier League, offering clubs the chance to climb to the pinnacle of English football while providing a stern test of their ambitions and resources. Its importance in the English football landscape cannot be overstated, as it continues to produce thrilling seasons and memorable moments for fans across the country.