Promotion
Moving up from a lower division to a higher one, usually earned by finishing near the top of the table or winning a play-off.
Definition
Promotion is the reward, in a tiered league system, for finishing a season among the leading teams in a division: the team moves up to compete in the division above for the following campaign. It is the upward half of the promotion-and-relegation mechanism that links the levels of a league pyramid and keeps most divisions open rather than closed.
The number of promotion places and how they are decided vary by competition. Commonly the top one or more teams are promoted automatically, while further places may be settled by a play-off between the next-highest finishers. Promotion typically brings greater prestige, tougher opposition and, in professional sport, significantly more revenue.
Where you’ll hear “promotion”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Rugby
A physical team sport of carrying, passing and kicking an oval ball toward the opposing line.
Cricket
A bat-and-ball team sport where sides take turns to bat and to bowl and field, scoring runs.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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