English Football League Championship

English Football League Championship
Name	English Football League Championship
Country	England
Confed	Union of European Football Associations
Founded	2004 (rebranded)
Teams	24
Promotion	Premier League
Relegation	EFL League One
Champions	Leicester City (2013–14)
Most championships	Leicester City (3)

English Football League Championship is the second tier of professional association football in England, operated by the English Football League. Established after the rebranding of the Football League in 2004, the Championship sits directly below the Premier League and above EFL League One. The division features a mix of historic clubs such as Nottingham Forest F.C., Derby County F.C., Sunderland A.F.C., and recent beneficiaries of top-flight parachute payments like Newcastle United F.C. in their earlier seasons outside the elite. The competition is notable for high attendances across stadia including St James' Park, Hillsborough Stadium, and Ewood Park.

History

The Championship emerged from the 2004 restructuring when the Football League First Division was rebranded to create a clearer pyramid below the Premier League. The rebrand followed precedents set by the formation of the Premier League in 1992 and the commercialization trends advanced by clubs such as Manchester United F.C., Arsenal F.C., and Chelsea F.C.. Historic campaigns in the division involved clubs with continental pedigree—Leeds United A.F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Aston Villa F.C. (during their relegation spells)—and featured managers who later achieved prominence at Chelsea F.C., Manchester City F.C., and Liverpool F.C.. Financial pressures, illustrated in cases like Portsmouth F.C. and Blackburn Rovers F.C., have influenced governance reforms by the Football Association and the English Football League Board.

Competition format

The Championship comprises 24 clubs playing a double round-robin: each club faces every other club at home and away, mirroring formats used in Serie B and 2. Bundesliga. Points follow the global convention used by FIFA competitions: three for a win, one for a draw. At season end, the top two clubs earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, while teams placed third through sixth contest playoffs consisting of two-legged semi-finals and a final at Wembley Stadium. The bottom three clubs are relegated to EFL League One, a process comparable to promotion/relegation systems in leagues governed by UEFA regulations. Tie-breaking criteria echo those in UEFA Champions League group rules, employing goal difference and goals scored.

Clubs and stadia

Clubs in the Championship include former UEFA Europa League participants and long-established institutions such as Sheffield Wednesday F.C., Cardiff City F.C., Birmingham City F.C., and Middlesbrough F.C.. Stadia vary widely: older grounds like Oakwell and Hillsborough Stadium coexist with modern facilities like Stadium of Light and iPro Stadium. Attendance figures often rival top-flight averages in continental competitions; clubs such as Norwich City F.C. and Derby County F.C. draw large crowds reflecting regional support rooted in rivalries with neighbours like Ipswich Town F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C.. Ownership models range from municipal partnerships seen at Cardiff City F.C. to consortiums behind Leeds United A.F.C. and Swansea City A.F.C..

Season records and statistics

The Championship era has produced notable statistical landmarks: record points totals achieved by promoted champions, high-scoring seasons involving clubs like Sunderland A.F.C. and Watford F.C., and prolific individual goal tallies by strikers who later moved to Premier League sides—examples include transfers to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Everton F.C.. Playoff finals at Wembley Stadium have generated dramatic scorelines and attendance records comparable to major domestic cup semi-finals such as the FA Cup late rounds. Defensive records set by clubs managed under tacticians who later worked at Manchester City F.C. or Chelsea F.C. demonstrate the division's role as a proving ground for coaching philosophies.

Promotion and relegation

Promotion from the Championship to the Premier League combines automatic advancement for the top two finishers with a high-stakes playoff that has been likened to fixtures in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase for intensity and commercial value. Relegation to EFL League One affects club finances via distribution changes from Premier League parachute payments and central EFL revenues. Clubs such as Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. have experienced rapid changes in status, illustrating systemic volatility comparable to historic fluctuations seen in German football and Italian football pyramids.

Administration and governance

The Championship is administered by the English Football League, overseen by a board including representatives of member clubs and regulated under rules set by the Football Association. Financial Fair Play mechanisms and profit-and-sustainability rules introduced by the EFL reflect influences from UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations and debates involving stakeholders like The Football Supporters' Federation and media partners. Disciplinary matters invoke procedures resonant with those employed by FA disciplinary committees and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited for refereeing standards.

Media coverage and commercial aspects

Broadcast rights for the Championship have been significant revenue drivers, negotiated with broadcasters such as Sky Sports, BBC Sport for highlights, and international partners in markets including China and the United States. Commercial sponsorships, kit manufacturing deals with brands like Nike and Adidas, and matchday revenues involving club partnerships with local authorities contribute to club budgets. The playoff final at Wembley Stadium is often described as the most valuable single match in world football due to the financial gulf between the Championship and the Premier League, a topic central to discussions involving House of Commons committees on sport and finance.

Category:Football leagues in England