The NIFL Premiership is the top tier of professional football in Northern Ireland. Established in 2008, it features clubs competing for the championship title each season. The league operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the NIFL Championship, the second tier of football in the country. The season typically runs from August to May, with each team playing 38 matches. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the champion. The league is governed by the Irish Football Association, which oversees the rules and regulations of the competition.