The Football League Championship is the second tier of professional football in England, sitting just below the Premier League. It features 24 teams that compete for promotion to the top division. The season typically runs from August to May, with each team playing 46 matches. At the end of the season, the top two teams earn automatic promotion, while the teams finishing from third to sixth enter the play-offs for the final promotion spot. The league is known for its competitive nature and has a rich history, contributing to the development of many successful clubs and players.