Bajnokságok

Bajnokságok are organized competitions that determine the national or regional champion in a sport. In Hungarian usage, a bajnokság can refer to the top-level league of a sport within a country as well as to a broader championship format used to crown a champion. A typical bajnokság features a regular season in which teams meet each other multiple times, earning points for wins and draws. The final standings identify the champion and often decide qualification for international competitions, as well as promotion to higher divisions or relegation to lower ones.

The structure and rules of a bajnokság vary by sport and country. Most rely on a points system, schedule of matches, and tiebreakers to determine ranking. Many bajnokságok include promotion and relegation between divisions, creating a hierarchical ladder of competition. In addition to the league, national cups or other tournaments may exist concurrently, offering alternate routes to titles and international play.

Etymology and usage: The word bajnokság derives from bajnok, meaning champion, with the suffix -ság forming a noun that expresses a state or collective activity. The term is widely used across sports in Hungary to denote the national or regional championships for both men and women, and it appears in various sport names such as futball-bajnokság, kézilabda-bajnokság, and kosárlabda-bajnokság.

Examples and scope: Bajnokságok occur in football, basketball, handball, water polo, and many other sports, at senior and youth levels. While national leagues are central to most sports, the exact format, season length, and relegation rules differ by federation and competition.