Every season in the Championship brings a lot of drama, honestly, some truly brilliant football. It’s the second tier of English football, but anyone who watches it knows it’s anything but second-rate. So, how many teams make it out and move up to the Premier League? The answer’s three.
Two teams go up automatically, and one more earns promotion through the playoffs. Twenty-four teams are playing 46 matches each, and anything can happen. A surprise win here or a last-minute loss there can change the game completely. That’s part of what makes it so exciting. Getting promoted can change everything for a club.
Whether you finish in the top two or survive the pressure cooker that is the playoffs, the rewards are huge. Bigger money. Bigger games. Bigger spotlight. The Championship might not always get the same attention as the Premier League, but the fight to get out of it is just as intense, if not more.
“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans always win.” — Gary Lineker.
The EFL Championship Format: Many Teams, Many Matches
The Championship has 24 teams, and each one plays 46 matches throughout the season. That means every team plays every other team twice. Once at home and once away. It’s a long season, and one of the hardest in Europe.
Players and managers are constantly being tested, both physically and mentally. What makes this league even more exciting is how tight it usually is. Unlike in some top leagues where a few big clubs dominate, the Championship feels open.
A team with a small budget can still go toe-to-toe with the bigger sides. That’s why the league table can change so quickly, and why final positions often aren’t decided until the very last day. The prize is massive. Promotion to the Premier League brings prestige and life-changing money. It also brings a bigger stage and a chance to compete in the most-watched football league on the planet.
How Promotion Works in the EFL Championship
At the end of the season, the top two teams in the Championship go straight up to the Premier League. That’s automatic promotion, and it’s as simple as it sounds. Finish first or second after 46 games, and you’re in. But the real drama starts after that.
The teams that finish between third and sixth go into the playoffs. It’s a tense mini-tournament to decide who takes the last promotion spot.
Here’s how it works:
- Third plays sixth, and fourth plays fifth in two-legged semi-finals.
- The winners then face each other in a one-off final.
- Whoever wins that final takes the third and final spot in the Premier League.
So in total, three clubs move up each season, but only two do it the easy way. The third has to fight for it.
What Makes Getting Promoted to the Premier League So Valuable?
Getting into the Premier League isn’t just about the pride it brings. It’s about money. A lot of it.
People often call the playoff final “the richest game in football”, and there’s a reason for that. According to Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance in 2020, promotion can bring in around £135 million, mostly from TV and broadcasting deals. That kind of money can change everything for a club.
For some teams, it means they can upgrade their stadium. For others, it helps them sign better players or invest more in the academy. It also raises the club’s profile worldwide. More fans, more sponsors, more opportunities.
So when a team earns a promotion, it’s a chance to change their future completely.
Not surprisingly, the major casinos are eager to be a part of this success by becoming official partners and sponsors of clubs. These companies are willing to invest heavily in exchange for visibility on jerseys, banners and broadcasts, which further increases the team’s revenue and helps them establish themselves at the next level.
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The Drama from the Playoffs
Unlike the top two spots that are decided over the season, the playoffs are about who can hold their nerve. Even the team that finishes sixth still has a chance to go up.
The final is often called the richest game in football. One match, one shot at the Premier League. In 2023, Luton Town showed just how wild it can get. They beat Coventry City on penalties 6-5 and returned to the top flight after 31 years.
Relegation: The Other Side of the Coin
While three teams go up, three also go down. Every season, the bottom three clubs drop to League One. The battle to avoid relegation can be just as intense as the race for promotion.
For some clubs, staying up means everything. It keeps their income steady, their players in place, and their hopes alive for the next season.
Teams in the EFL Championship
Every season in the championship, you get clubs that just dropped out of the Premier League, and teams that are fresh from League One. This brings real variety as some clubs have Premier League history, while others are fighting to write their first major chapter.
Right now, there are big names like:
- Leeds United
- Burnley
- Middlesbrough
- Watford
Want to see a full list of current clubs? The official EFL website provides up-to-date information.
According to The Guardian, “the Championship may not match Premier League’s quality but its entertainment and unpredictability provide compelling drama.”
Final Whistle
Getting promoted from the Championship is a huge deal. It’s the goal every club is chasing from the very first kick of the season. It doesn’t come easy, however, as only three spots are up for grabs, and 24 teams are battling through 46 tough matches.
Some make it by finishing strong. Others fight through the playoffs, where one moment can change everything. Either way, it is full of pressure and unforgettable moments.
Whether you follow football every weekend, enjoy placing the odd bet, or just learn how the system works, knowing how promotion works in the Championship helps you understand why it’s one of the most exciting leagues in the world.
