Championship (England)

Championship (England)
Name	EFL Championship
Founded	2004 (rebrand)
Country	England
Confed	UEFA
Teams	24
Promotion	Premier League
Relegation	EFL League One
Domestic cup	FA Cup, EFL Cup
Champions	Leicester City (2013–14 champions as former winners)

Championship (England) The Championship is the second tier of English men's association football, sitting below the Premier League and above EFL League One. The division, administered by the English Football League (EFL), evolved from the old Football League First Division and serves as a major conduit between historic clubs such as Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and emergent forces including Brentford, Norwich City and Swansea City. The competition is notable for intense promotion battles, high attendance figures among second-tier leagues, and frequent involvement of prominent managers and players who have connections to England national football team history and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

History

The Championship traces roots to the 1888 founding of the Football League and the later creation of the Football League Second Division; it was rebranded as the Football League Championship in 2004 following the formation of the Premier League in 1992. Clubs with storied pasts—including Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Ipswich Town—have oscillated through the division, often fielding former England national football team internationals or managers who previously led sides at Wembley Stadium and in FA Cup finals. Financial changes, television contracts involving broadcasters like Sky Sports and regulatory interventions by bodies such as UEFA and the Football Association have shaped promotion mechanics and squad spending. Historic events—promotion-winning campaigns, playoff finals at Wembley Stadium, and record transfer dealings—link the Championship to wider narratives involving clubs like Manchester City (earlier histories), Chelsea FC and their managerial lineages.

Structure and Competition Format

The Championship comprises 24 clubs competing in a double round-robin league, mirroring formats seen in other European second tiers like Segunda División and 2. Bundesliga. Each club plays 46 matches, with three points for a win and one for a draw; ties for positions are settled by goal difference and goals scored, paralleling conventions used in UEFA competitions. The top two teams earn automatic promotion to the Premier League while clubs placed third through sixth contest play-offs: two-legged semi-finals and a single final at Wembley Stadium. The bottom three clubs are relegated to EFL League One, joining tiers that include clubs such as Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Sunderland in various seasons.

Clubs and Promotion/Relegation

A wide array of clubs has featured, ranging from former UEFA Champions League participants to community-oriented teams. Prominent recent promotees include Leeds United, Aston Villa, Fulham, Bournemouth and Norwich City, each with histories in national cup competitions and European forays. Relegation has brought historic names into EFL League One and below; examples include Sunderland, Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday. Promotion and relegation affect club finances, squad construction, and ownership strategies tied to investors from entities like Sheikh Mansour-linked groups, international consortiums, and local benefactors.

Seasons and Records

Seasonal narratives often feature dramatic run-ins, record points totals, and notable goal scorers. Record-breaking campaigns involve clubs such as Leicester City and Reading in past eras, while individual achievers include forwards with connections to England national football team call-ups and veterans who have played in UEFA Europa League or UEFA Champions League fixtures. Playoff finals at Wembley Stadium have produced memorable matches involving clubs like Derby County, West Ham United and Ipswich Town, with managerial figures from the ranks of Roy Hodgson-type veterans to younger tacticians shaping outcomes.

Governance and Finance

The Championship is governed by the English Football League under regulations influenced by the Football Association and UEFA licensing rules. Financial issues—parachute payments for relegated Premier League clubs, Financial Fair Play-inspired controls, and broadcasting revenue from broadcasters such as Sky Sports and BBC Sport—drive club strategy. Ownership oversight has involved scrutiny from bodies like Companies House and investors including sovereign wealth entities, private equity groups, and local businesspeople with prior links to clubs such as Chelsea FC and Manchester United.

Media Coverage and Attendance

Matches are widely covered by national outlets including Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ITV Sport and newspapers such as The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. International broadcasters and streaming platforms carry fixtures to markets where clubs like Leeds United and Newcastle United have large followings. The Championship regularly posts high attendances, with clubs such as Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest contributing to crowds that rival some top-flight leagues in Europe; fixtures at stadiums like Elland Road, St James' Park and The City Ground exemplify this.

Impact and Notable Players and Managers

The Championship has been a proving ground for managers and players who later achieved success in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and international competitions. Notable managers with ties to the division include those who managed Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal at other times, while players have progressed to represent England national football team or transfer to top European clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Alumni include top scorers and tactical innovators who once guided clubs through the Championship to national prominence, reinforcing the division's reputation as a pivotal stage in English and European football pathways.

Category:Football leagues in England