Premier League: a complete guide to English football's top flight
The Premier League is the most-watched football league on the planet, with fans in almost every country, including across Africa. If you want to understand how it works, this guide is for you.
How many clubs and how many matchdays?
The Premier League has 20 clubs. Each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away, which makes 38 matchdays per season. The season usually starts in August and ends in May.
How are points awarded?
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 3 |
| Draw | 1 |
| Defeat | 0 |
If teams are level on points, the first tie-breaker is goal difference, followed by goals scored.
Who gets relegated?
The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Championship, England's second tier. Three clubs come up: the top two in the Championship and the winner of a play-off between the teams finishing 3rd to 6th.
How do teams qualify for Europe?
The highest-placed clubs earn a spot in the Champions League, usually the top four. The next places and the winners of the domestic cups (FA Cup and League Cup) lead to the Europa League and the Conference League. The exact number of places can change from season to season, depending on how English clubs perform in UEFA competitions.
Why is it so popular?
- Competitiveness: even smaller clubs can beat the big ones.
- International stars: the best players from Africa, Europe and South America play in England.
- Full stadiums and a very high tempo.
- Global broadcasting: matches are shown in more than 180 countries.
Are there matches at Christmas?
Yes. Unlike many European leagues, the Premier League has no winter break. The Boxing Day fixtures (26 December) are one of the most famous traditions in English football, with matchdays coming thick and fast.