Championship 2024/2025, all matches

The English Championship, officially known as the EFL Championship, is the second-highest division of football in England after the Premier League. The league was founded in 2004, replacing the Football League First Division, and has been a major part of the English football landscape ever since. The Championship features 24 teams competing for three places in the Premier League.

The tournament format is a double round-robin tournament, with each team playing 46 matches (two against each other - home and away). At the end of the season, the top two teams receive direct promotion to the Premier League, while the teams finishing third to sixth play for the final place in the elite division via the playoffs.

The 2023/2024 season ended with an exciting battle for promotion. Relegated from the Premier League last season, Leicester City and Southampton put in a strong performance to secure the top two spots, while Norwich City secured third place, which would qualify them for the playoffs.

The Championship playoffs are traditionally one of the most intense and dramatic events of the season. In 2023/2024, Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Sunderland competed in the playoffs. The playoff final was held at Wembley, where Norwich City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1, securing their place in the Premier League.

The Championship is known for being highly competitive and unpredictable. The league combines experienced clubs with a rich history with young teams looking to make a name for themselves. Many of the current top Premier League clubs, such as Leeds United and Aston Villa, spent significant time in the Championship before returning to the elite.

Some notable Championship players include Emile Heskey, who began his career at Leicester City, and Jamie Vardy, who helped Leicester City win promotion to the Premier League. In recent years, the Championship has produced players such as Brentford's Ivan Toney and Norwich City's Emiliano Buendia.

The Championship is also famous for its derbies and great rivalries. Matches between Birmingham City and Aston Villa, as well as Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, are hugely popular and always have a tense atmosphere.

An interesting fact about the Championship is its high attendance. The league is regularly one of the most attended second divisions in the world, second only to the 2. Bundesliga in Germany. Fans appreciate the excitement and intensity of the matches, making the Championship one of the most exciting football tournaments.

The tournament continues to be an important part of English football, offering teams the opportunity to challenge for promotion and strive for the pinnacle of English football. The Championship remains an important arena for young talent and experience, maintaining a high level of competition and entertainment throughout the season.