 | |
| Founded | 2008 (as IFA Championship) |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | NIFL Premiership |
| Relegation to | NIFL Premier Intermediate League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Cup |
| League cup(s) | Northern Ireland Football League Cup |
| Current champions | Portadown (2nd title) (2023–24) |
| Current: 2024–25 season | |
The Northern Ireland Football League Championship (known as the Playr-Fit Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the second level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national football league in Northern Ireland. Clubs in the Championship can be promoted to the highest national division – the NIFL Premiership, and relegated to the third level – the NIFL Premier Intermediate League.
In its current format, it was founded in 2008 as the Premier Intermediate League for members of the previous IFA Intermediate League that met the new stricter membership criteria,[1] though was marketed as the IFA Championship.[2] In 2009, it was extended to two divisions: Championship 1 and Championship 2 with promotion and relegation between the two.[3] In 2013, the Championship and Premiership became part of the Northern Ireland Football League, independent of the Irish Football Association (IFA).
Under reforms agreed by NIFL clubs in 2014, Championship 1 acquired senior status from the 2016–17 season onwards, continuing as the NIFL Championship. Championship 2 became the NIFL Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status.[4]
The second level in Northern Irish football was known as the B Division from 1951 to 1995, the Irish League First Division from 1995 to 2003, the Irish First Division from 2003 to 2008, and the IFA Championship from 2008 to 2013.
- ^ "Premier Intermediate League (PIL)". Irish Football Association. irishfa.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ "IFA Championship". Irish Football Association. irishfa.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Ladbrokes.com Championship 2009/10
- ^ Northern Ireland Football League (2014). NI Football League Restructure Proposal.