Promotion and relegation facts for kids

Promotion and relegation are terms used in many sports. Think of it like a ladder in sports! When a team is promoted, they move up to a league that is considered better or more important. This usually happens when a team performs very well and wins their current league. On the other hand, relegation means a team moves down to a league of a lower status. This often happens to teams that finish at the very bottom of their league at the end of a competition season.

For example, imagine two leagues: the "First Division" (the higher league) and the "Second Division" (the lower league).

• If a team called Team A wins the Second Division, they would be promoted to the First Division for the next season.
• If Team B finishes last in the First Division, they would be relegated to the Second Division for the next season.

How Promotion and Relegation Work

Promotion and relegation systems are used in many sports around the world. They add a lot of excitement and drama to a sports season. Teams are not just playing to win a championship; they are also fighting to stay in their current league or to move up to a better one.

Why Sports Use This System

This system makes sure that teams are always trying their best. It rewards success and makes sure that the best teams play against each other. It also means that teams that are not performing well will eventually play against teams of a similar skill level. This keeps the competition fair and exciting for everyone involved.

Different Ways It Happens

The exact rules for promotion and relegation can be different in various sports and countries.

• Sometimes, only the top team gets promoted, and only the bottom team gets relegated.
• In other leagues, several teams might move up or down. For example, the top three teams might be promoted, and the bottom three teams might be relegated.
• Some leagues also have "play-off" games. This is where teams from the top of a lower league play against teams from the bottom of a higher league to decide who gets promoted or relegated. It's like a final challenge to earn their spot!

Sports That Use It

You'll find promotion and relegation in many popular sports, especially in association football (soccer) leagues around the world, like in England, Spain, Germany, and Italy. It's also common in sports like rugby, ice hockey, and basketball in some countries. In North America, many major professional sports leagues like the NFL or MLB do not use promotion and relegation. Instead, they often have a system where new teams can join the league, or teams move between cities.

Images for kids

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  Södertälje SK-Leksands IF during a 2007 Kvalserien game.

• 

  SV Darmstadt 98 fans celebrated promotion to the German Bundesliga in 2015.

See also

In Spanish: Ascenso y descenso (deportes) para niños