Ligák

Ligák are organized competitions in which clubs or teams from the same sport compete over a season under a common set of rules. The term ligák is the Hungarian plural of liga, and the concept appears in many languages as league. The word derives from Latin ligare, meaning to bind, via the French ligue, reflecting their role in binding teams into a regular schedule rather than a single tournament.

Most leagues run a season in which each team plays the others, often in a round-robin format. Points are awarded for results (for example, three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss). Leagues may include promotion and relegation between divisions, and some use playoffs to determine championships or international qualification. They are typically organized by a dedicated league body but operate within the broader framework of national or international federations, such as FIFA or UEFA in football.

Leagues exist across many sports and regions. In football, well-known leagues include England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A. National top divisions exist in many countries, including Hungary’s Nemzeti Bajnokság I (NB I). Other sports also use league structures, such as basketball, ice hockey, and water polo, where leagues organize regular seasons, standings, and relegation or promotion where applicable. Ligák play a central role in competitive sport by organizing schedules, ensuring standardized competition, and shaping professional and amateur pathways.