{"id":23225,"date":"2026-08-31T17:52:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T14:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=23225"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:52:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T14:52:23","slug":"championship-vs-premier-league-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/championship-vs-premier-league-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Championship vs Premier League: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The English Football League (EFL) pyramid is one of the most detailed professional football structures covering the breadth of the country. The Premier League is the first tier, while the Championship is the second level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the promotion and relegation link, the Championship vs Premier League comparisons stop there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, there are substantial differences in revenue streams, season formats, and league structures. This guide uncovers the formats of each and draws some concrete conclusions too.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_js el_class=”banner-highlight”]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZqcy43YmV0LnBhcnRuZXJzJTJGamF2YXNjcmlwdC5waHAlM0ZwcmVmaXglM0RnMHRwcEFNSVpFbVhyWnp4QzYzOG5XTmQ3WmdxZFJMayUyNmFtcCUzQm1lZGlhJTNENDU5JTI2YW1wJTNCY2FtcGFpZ24lM0Q0MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_js][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Premier League vs Championship at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\n

The following comparison table provides a quick overview of the Championship vs Premier League:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”eb-table”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nPremier League<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nChampionship<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Level<\/span><\/td>\nFirst tier<\/span><\/td>\nSecond tier<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Governing competition<\/span><\/td>\nPremier League<\/span><\/td>\nChampionship<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of teams<\/span><\/td>\n20<\/span><\/td>\n24<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regular league matches per team<\/span><\/td>\n38<\/span><\/td>\n46<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Promotion<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A as it is the highest domestic division<\/span><\/td>\nPromotion to Premier League<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Relegation<\/span><\/td>\nTo Championship<\/span><\/td>\nTo League One<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Play-offs<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes to achieve promotion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]*The Premier League season stretches 38 games featuring 20 teams, while the Championship campaign sees 24 sides take in 46 matches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, three teams go up from the Championship at the end of the regular season, with one promoted via the play-offs. The Premier League doesn\u2019t have play-offs, so the three sides come the end of the season are demoted to England\u2019s second tier.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is the Main Difference Between Championship and Premier League?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The fundamental difference between the two divisions is the levels of importance attached. The Premier League is viewed as the pinnacle of English football, with the Championship immediately below it.<\/span><\/p>\n

When framing the Championship vs Premier League, it is worth considering these factors:<\/span><\/p>\n