The NHL Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in professional sports, first awarded in 1893. The Cup is named after Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, who donated it as a challenge trophy for amateur hockey. The Stanley Cup playoffs typically begin in April and culminate in June, featuring 16 teams competing in a best-of-seven series format. The team that wins four rounds of playoffs is crowned the champion and is awarded the Stanley Cup, which they keep for a year before passing it on to the next champion.