Promotion and Relegation in English Football Explained
English football is one connected pyramid. Every season, clubs move up and down between divisions based on where they finish. Three clubs leave the Premier League each year and three come up from the Championship, two automatically and one through the play-offs. That movement is why the bottom of the table can be as tense as the title race.
Here is how it works in the Premier League and the three Football League divisions below it. You can follow the live standings on our Premier League table and Championship table.
The top four divisions at a glance
| Division | Clubs | Matches | Promoted | Relegated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 20 | 38 | — | Bottom 3 |
| Championship | 24 | 46 | Top 2, plus play-off winner (3rd–6th) | Bottom 3 |
| League One | 24 | 46 | Top 2, plus play-off winner (3rd–6th) | Bottom 4 |
| League Two | 24 | 46 | Top 3, plus play-off winner (4th–7th) | Bottom 2, to the National League |
Relegation from the Premier League
The three clubs that finish 18th, 19th and 20th drop into the Championship. Teams are separated by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, so a single goal on the final day can decide who stays up.
How the Championship play-offs work
The Championship winner and runner-up go straight up. The clubs finishing 3rd to 6th play for the last place:
- Semi-finals: 3rd plays 6th and 4th plays 5th, over two legs. The higher-placed club plays the second leg at home.
- Final: a single match at Wembley in late May. The winner is promoted.
The Championship play-off final is often called the richest game in football, because promotion brings Premier League television money worth well over £100 million to the winner across the following seasons.
Parachute payments
Relegated Premier League clubs receive parachute payments to soften the fall in income. They are paid for up to three seasons after relegation, or two if the club spent only one season in the top flight. Critics say the payments help relegated clubs bounce straight back, which is why the same clubs often move between the two divisions.
Below the Football League
The pyramid continues below League Two. The National League is the fifth tier, and its champions plus a play-off winner move up to League Two each season. Relegation and promotion carry on all the way down to local amateur leagues.
Why it matters
Promotion and relegation keep almost every match meaningful. A mid-table side in March may still be chasing a play-off place, and a club near the bottom is fighting for its league status and its budget. It also means any club, in theory, can climb all the way to the top.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams get relegated from the Premier League?
Three, the clubs that finish 18th, 19th and 20th.
How many teams get promoted from the Championship?
Three: the top two automatically, and the winner of the play-offs between the teams in 3rd to 6th.
Where is the Championship play-off final played?
At Wembley Stadium in London, usually in late May.
What happens if teams finish level on points?
Goal difference decides it first, then goals scored.
See how the champions have been decided at the other end of the table in our Premier League winners list, and how European places work in the Champions League format guide.
Sources: Premier League, English Football League. Last checked September 2026.
Comments