EFL League One
English football league.
The English Football League One, officially known as Sky Bet League One for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the third tier overall in the English football league system. Founded in 2004 as a rebranding of the former Football League Second Division, it sits below the EFL Championship and above EFL League Two in the pyramid.
League One consists of 24 teams, each playing 46 matches per season from August to May. The competition follows a standard format where each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. At the end of each season, the top two teams are automatically promoted to the EFL Championship, while the teams finishing third to sixth compete in play-offs for the final promotion spot. The bottom four teams are relegated to EFL League Two.
The league has become one of the most-watched third-tier football leagues globally, with an average attendance of 10,613 spectators per game in the 2022–23 season. This makes it one of the top ten most-watched leagues in Europe and the most-watched third-tier domestic sports league in the world.
Several former Premier League clubs currently compete in League One, including Barnsley, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town, Reading, and Wigan Athletic. This mix of historic clubs and ambitious lower-league sides contributes to the league's competitive nature and popularity.
The promotion and relegation system ensures a dynamic league environment, with clubs constantly striving to either secure promotion to the Championship or avoid relegation to League Two. The play-off final, typically held at Wembley Stadium, is often referred to as one of the most valuable single matches in football due to the financial rewards associated with promotion to the Championship.
League One has produced many memorable moments and has been a crucial stepping stone for players and managers advancing their careers. The competition continues to play a vital role in the English football pyramid, offering clubs the opportunity to progress towards the top flight while maintaining strong connections with their local communities.