Score8 · Competition guide
Premier League
The Premier League is the top division of English football. Twenty clubs play each other twice a season, home and away, and the club with the most points at the end is champion.
What the Premier League is
The Premier League has been the top level of the English football pyramid since 1992, when the clubs of the old First Division formed a new competition. It is one of the most widely watched football leagues in the world, including in Malaysia, where weekend matches kick off in the late evening or early morning local time.
Competition format
| Aspect | Premier League |
|---|---|
| Clubs | 20 |
| Matches per club | 38 (19 home, 19 away) |
| Matches per season | 380 |
| Points | 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a defeat |
| First tiebreaker | Goal difference, then goals scored |
| Relegation | Bottom three clubs go down to the EFL Championship |
Season structure
The season usually runs from August to May. The fixture list is published before the season and adjusted as matches are selected for broadcast or moved around cup and European commitments. English football traditionally plays through the festive period, including Boxing Day. Read how Premier League fixtures are scheduled
Points and the table
The table ranks clubs by points. When clubs are level, goal difference decides first, then goals scored, with further criteria set in the league's rules. Learn how league tables work
Promotion and relegation
At the end of each season, the three lowest-placed clubs are relegated to the EFL Championship. They are replaced by three clubs from the Championship: the top two and the winner of a play-off between the clubs finishing third to sixth.
European qualification
The highest-placed clubs qualify for UEFA competitions, including the Champions League. The exact number of places depends on UEFA's allocation for England and domestic cup winners, and can vary between seasons.
Fixtures, results, teams and statistics
Use the Score8 sections to follow the Premier League: view football fixtures, browse football results, explore football teams and understand football statistics. For the bigger picture, return to the football hub.