Betting.net / Betting Terms A-Z / R / What is Relegation? Relegation Explained in 2 minutes

What is Relegation? Relegation Explained in 2 minutes

David Genge

Editor

Publish Date: March 31, 2021

Fact checked by: Jesse M Cox

What is Relegation?

Relegation is a common term used in football and other team sports. It is when a team finishes in a position in a league system that will see them drop down to the league below. Naturally this is usually the bottom spot of a league or one of a number of lower spots in a division.

The relegation market is popular in sports betting and is available throughout a league season with the odds changing at every round of fixtures depending on how the teams have performed.

However, relegation is not limited to just football and can be used in any sports where there is a risk of dropping out of a division into one below.

Relegation is a costly price to pay for sports teams and something that they are all desperate to avoid. In football, being in the relegation zone is sometimes known as being in the drop zone.

How is Relegation used in Sports Betting?

The Premier League relegation market sees the most action of all and is a prime example of how relegation is used.

In the Premier League, 20 teams compete and the teams that finish 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th are relegated out the division and into England’s second tier of football – the Championship.

Three teams are then promoted out of that division and often they are the three teams who are deemed favourites for relegation the following season.

However, it is important to note this is not always the case and the markets move as the season pans out.

This relegation threat has a profound impact later on in the season for punters as teams will sometimes altar how they play in order to avoid the drop.

Did you know…

Relegation first came about in a guise when the Football League was founded in 1888 and a system to entice fans of other clubs to enjoy the league was created. It was decided that the worst teams at the end of a season would face re-election over a new team wanting in in order to ensure they avoided relegation.

Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

FanDuel Promo

Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets Every Day For 10 Days

T&Cs apply

3.8/5

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. MA Gambling Helpline or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

DraftKings Promo

New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly

T&Cs apply

3.8/5

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Min. $5 first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Plus, upon qualifying bet placement, get 1 100% Profit Boost Token, valid only for a NCAA Tournament Winner bet. Max. Bet: $10. Profit Boost Tokens are single-use and expire on 4/6/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Must select Token BEFORE placing bet. Boost only applies to winnings. Ends 4/6/26 11:59 PM ET. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

T&Cs apply

3.8/5

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Fanatics Promo

Bet $50, Get $300 in FanCash

T&Cs apply

3.8/5

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, Home (MD), (800)-327-5050 or MA Gambling Helpline (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 or CONNECTICUT COUNCIL – ON PROBLEM GAMBLING (CT), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), If gambling is more than a game, free help is available . . . - NCDHHS Problem Gambling (NC). New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must opt-in and wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer to receive $100 in FanCash each day for your first 3 days (issued when qualifying wager settles). Your 3 days begin the day you establish your account. FanCash rewards expire at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

Barstool Promo

T&Cs apply

3.5/5

Go to Sports Betting Bonus Comparison

More About Sports Betting