English League Championship - 02. 08. 2016
The English Football League Championship is the highest division of the English Football League and second-highest overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League.
Every year, 3 teams with the least amount of point are relegated to League One. Best two teams are promoted to Premier League and teams finishing on 3-6 place are playing play-off. Winner of the finale is promoted to Premier League. In play-off, there is no away goal rule. Final take place at Wembley Stadium. The league comprise 24 teams, 4 more than Premier League. Each team plays 46 games in total. League is the most-watched secondary league in the world.
The Football League Championship was introduced for the 2004–05 season. League was previously known as the Football League First Division (1992–2004), and before that Division Two (1892–1992).
In season 2004/05 total attendance was 9.8 million, the fourth highest total attendance for a European football division. Championship beat Italy's Serie A (9.77m) and France's Ligue 1 (8.17m). In favor of Championship speaks the presence of 24 clubs.
The main sponsor of competition is British bookmaker Sky Bet. The most successful teams are Reading and Sunderland with 2 titles. Ipswich Town is in competition since 2001–02 season relegation, which makes them team playing in Championship for the longest time.
In the 2015–16 season, Burnley F.C. won the title, Middlesbrough F.C. were the runners up, and Hull City were promoted thanks to the play-off finale win against Sheffield Wednesday. Charlton Athletic, Milton Keynes Dons and Bolton Wanderers were relegated to League One. To Championship were promoted Wigan Athletic, Burton Albion, and play-off finale winners Barnsley. The top scorer of last season was Andre Gray playing for Burnley.
