In an organizedsports league,a typicalseasonis the portion of oneyearin which regulated games of thesportare in session: for example, inMajor League Baseballthe season lasts approximately from the last week of March to the last week of September.[1]In otherteam sports,likeassociation footballorbasketball,it is generally from August or September to May although in some countries – such as Northern Europe, North America or East Asia – the season for oudoor summer sports starts in the spring and finishes in autumn, mainly due to weather conditions encountered during the winter.
A year can often be broken up into several distinct sections (sometimes themselves called seasons). These are: a preseason, a series of exhibition games played for training purposes; a regular season, the main period of the league's competition; thepostseason,a playoff tournament played against the league's top teams to determine the league's champion; and the offseason, the time when there is no official competition.
Preseason
editIn association football, many clubs tour and then they have a series ofexhibition gamesfor training purposes.
In baseball, many clubs go to spring camp and then they havespring training. TheNational Football League preseasonis a highly structured three-game series of games in which teams are afforded a larger roster limit and play games that do not count toward the record. It is used to evaluate and prepare talent for the upcoming regular season.
In the highest levels of professionaltennis,the preseason (November–December) consists of extensive period of training on and off the court (gym/fitness work as well as working on tennis-specific skills like for example improving the accuracy of serve).
Regular season
editIn sport, the term "regular season" or "home-and-away season"[2]refers to the sport'sleague competition.The regular season is usually similar to agroup tournamentformat: teams are divided into groups, conferences and/or divisions, and each club plays a set number of games against a set number of opponents. In most countries the league is played in a double round-robin format, where every team plays every other team twice, once at their home venue, and once away at the opposition's venue as visitors. The results over all games are accumulated and when every team has completed its full schedule of games, a winner is declared.
In North America, the scheduling is different. Rather than every team playing all others twice, teams usually play more games against local rivals than teams in other parts of the country. For example, theNBA'sLos Angeles Lakerswill play theLos Angeles Clippers(a team within their division, a subdivision of the conference) four times in a regular season, while both will only play theToronto Raptors,who are in the oppositeEastern Conference,twice. Part of this is due to the vast geographic distances between some teams in North America — measured in a straight line, Los Angeles is 3,494 kilometres from Toronto, for instance — and a desire to limit travel expenses. In the scheduling system used in theNFL,it is possible for two teams to only meet every four years, and to only have 2 common opponents in a season.Major League Baseballhas the most uneven schedules of all the four major North American sports. In MLB, the conferences are called leagues instead, but have exactly the same effect asconferences(as with allNorth American major leagues,leagues, conferences, and division are not based on skill, but instead geography, history, and rivalries). Prior to scheduling changes in 2023, teams played 19 games against each of the teams in their own division each year but only played 20 games total against all of the teams in the other league. Because each of the inter-league match-ups was part of a 3-game series or a 2-game series, teams played no games at all against most teams from the other league. They played 6 of the 15 teams in the other league, a historically high number (until 1997,interleague playwas limited to exhibition matches and the postseasonWorld Series,and thus MLB teams did not play the other league's teams at all). In 2023, teams played all interleague teams in a single season for the first time; teams now play a 3-game series against all teams, except their designated interleague rival with 4 games, totalling to 46 games (later increased to 48 games and a 6-game series with their interleague rival for the forthcoming 2025 season).
In Australia, the two largest football leagues, theAFL(Australian rules football) andNRL(rugby league), both grew out of competitions held within a single city (respectively Melbourne and Sydney) and only began expanding to the rest of the country when inexpensive air travel made a national league possible. These leagues use a singletableinstead of being split into divisions. The term "home and away season" is sometimes used instead of regular season.
Many football leagues in Latin America have a very different system. Because most Latin American countries never had a football cup competition, they instead split their season into two parts, typically known as theApertura and Clausura(Spanishfor "opening" and "closing" ). Most countries that use this system, Argentina being one notable example, crown separate league champions for each part of the season, using only league play. A few others, such as Uruguay, crown one champion at the end of a playoff involving top teams from each half of the season. Mexico operates its Apertura and Clausura as separate competitions that both end in playoffs. Brazil has a different system, the season starts with the state championships in January (every Brazilian state have his own championship), these state championships ends in April. TheCampeonato Brasileiro Série Aitself starts in May and ends in early December, and is played in a double round-robin format in the same way as the European championships.
A system similar to the Apertura and Clausura developed independently inPhilippine professional basketball,with formerly two, now three tournaments (called "conferences" ) in one season, with each conference divided into an "elimination round" (the single round-robin group stage) and the playoffs in the North American sense. Winning the playoffs is the ultimate goal of every team for every conference; while there is no season championship,winning all conferences within a single seasonis rare and has only happened five times since 1975, with the two most recent examples occurring in1996and2013–14.The qualifying round and playoffs setup has permeated down to the local level and in most team sports, although seasons are not divided into conferences.
Postseason
editMany sports leagues have playoffs or "finals" that occur after the regular season is complete. A subset of the teams enter into a playofftournament,usually aknockout tournament,generally a pre-determined number with better overall records (more wins, fewer losses) during the regular season. There are many variations used to determine the champion, the league's top prize. In many of these leagues, winning the league's top prize at the conclusion of the postseason is more important than winning the regular season. This includes themajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada(MLB's World Series,theNBA Finals,theNFL's Super Bowl,theNHL's Stanley Cup Finals,theMLS Cup,and theCFL's Grey Cup), and the major Australian sports (BBL Grand Final,NBL Grand Final,A-League Grand Final,AFL Grand FinalandNRL Grand Final).
European leagues have also started holding playoffs after a double round-robin "regular season". TheFootball Leaguestarted itspromotion playoffsin 1987, with the third up to the sixth-ranked teams participating for the final promotion berth (the two top teams are automatically promoted). Elsewhere, relegation playoffs are also held to determine which teams would be relegated to the lower leagues. One prominent top-level football league, theEredivisieof the Netherlands, uses two different playoffs—one for relegation purposes, and the other to determine one of the league's entrants in the following season'sUEFA Europa League.InSuperleague Greece,which currently has two places in theUEFA Champions Leagueand three in the Europa League, the teams that finish second through fifth in the regular season enter a home-and-away "playoff" mini-league. Since one Europa League place is reserved for the country's cup winner, only three of the four teams are guaranteed a place in the next season's European competitions (unless both the cup winner and runner-up are already qualified for Europe by other means). The playoff determines the country's second Champions League participant, and the points at which the two or three Europa League entrants join that competition. Conversely, some leagues like thePremier Leaguedo not hold a postseason, and therefore these leagues' champions and relegation are instead based on the regular season records.
Although rugby union did not become professional until 1995, that sport has a long history of playoffs, primarily in France and the Southern Hemisphere. The French national championship, now known asTop 14,staged a championship final in its first season of 1892, first used more than one round of playoffs in 1893, and has continuously operated a playoff system (except during the two World Wars) since 1899. South Africa'sCurrie Cuphas determined its champions by playoffs since 1968, and New Zealand'sNational Provincial Championship,the top level of which is now known as theMitre 10 Cup,has used playoffs since its creation in 1976. Argentina'sNacional de Clubeshas determined its champion by playoffs since its inception in 1993. Currently, two separate competitions feed into the Nacional, theTorneo de la URBA(for Buenos Aires clubs, held since 1899) andTorneo del Interior(for the rest of the country); both use playoffs to determine their champions.Super Rugby,involving regional franchises from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa and national franchises in Argentina and Japan, has used playoffs to determine its champions since its creation as Super 12 in 1996.
By contrast, other European countries were slow to adopt playoffs in rugby union. TheEnglish Premiershiponly began playoffs in1999–2000,and did not use them to determine the league champion until2002–03.The Celtic League, now known asPro14,resisted a playoff system even longer; its champions were determined solely by league play from its inception in2001–02until playoffs began in2009–10.
When the UEFA Champions League reformatted in 1993, it added a "knockout stage" involving four teams that finished at the top two places in their respective groups. Like North American sports leagues, this setup prevented some participants from facing each other, necessitating a two-round knockout stage to determine the champions. It has since been expanded to the 4-round knockout stage today. TheCopa Libertadoreshas applied a knockout stage since the 1988 tournament, expanding to the current four-round format next season. All intercontinental club football competitions now feature a knockout stage.
Off-season
editTheoff-season,vacation time,orclose seasonis the time of year when there is no official competition. Although upper management continues to work, the athletes will take muchvacationtime off. Also, various events such asdrafts,transfersand important off-seasonfree agentsignings occur. Generally, most athletes stay in shape during the off-season in preparation for the next season. Certain new rules in the league may be made during this time, and will become enforced during the next regular season. The Off-season is characterized by a break in regular league or tournament play, allowing athletes, coaches, and staff to rest, recover, and prepare for the upcoming season. The off-season typically follows the conclusion of the regular season or playoffs and precedes the start of preseason training or conditioning camps.
During the off-season, athletes often take time off to recuperate both physically and mentally from the demands of competitive play. This period of rest is essential for preventing burnout, reducing the risk of injuries, and allowing the body to recover from the wear and tear of regular training and competition. Athletes may use this time to focus on rehabilitation from any lingering injuries, undergo medical evaluations, and engage in cross-training activities to maintain overall fitness levels.[3]
In addition to rest and recovery, the off-season provides athletes with an opportunity to address weakness and areas for improvement in their performance. Many athletes use this time to work on specific skills, refine techniques, and build strength and conditioning through targeted training programs. Coaches and training staff often collaborate with athletes to develop individualized offseason training regimens tailored to their specific needs and goals.[4]
Off-season training may include a combination of strength and conditioning workouts, skill, development sessions, and team building activities. Athletes may also participate in recreational sports or activities to maintain their competitive edge while enjoying a break from the rigors of their primary sport. Furthermore, athletes may take advantage of the off-season to pursue personal interests, further their education, or engage in community service and outreach initiatives.[5]
Beyond individual training, the off-season is also a critical time for teams to regroup, strategize, and plan for the upcoming season. Coaching staff and management may conduct player evaluations, analyze performance data, and make personnel decisions such as trades, drafts and free agent signings. Team bonding activities, such as retreats, workshops, and social events, may be organized to foster camaraderie and cohesion among teammates.
As most countries which have a league in a particular sport will operate their regular season at roughly the same time as the others, international tournaments may be arranged during the off season.
For example, most European football league club competitions run from July or August to May, subsequently major international competitions such as theFIFA World CupandUEFA European Football Championshipare organised to occur in June and July.
Seasons by league
editThe table represents typical seasons for some leagues by month. Blank or white denotes off-season and pre-season months and solid colors mark the rest of the year. Leagues in the same sport use the same color.
- "E"denotesexhibition/preseason games.
- "Q"denotes pre-competition qualifiers.
- "S"denotes the start of the regular-season.
- "P"denotes playoff(s)/postseason/knockout stages.
- "F"denotes Final(s).
- ^A team fromAndorra,BC Andorra,has competed in the league since the2014–15 season.
- ^Replaced the former European club competition, the Heineken Cup, effective in2014–15.
- ^The current scheduling, in which the season starts in January, took effect in2012.In2010and2011,the schedule began late in the previous calendar year.
- ^The bulk of the tour's sole-sanctioned events are in Europe, with some in thePersian Gulfcountries. It co-sanctions many other events with tours in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Along with the PGA Tour, the European Tour co-sanctions themajor championshipsand theWorld Golf Championships;one of the majors is held in the UK, one of the WGC events is held in China, and the rest of these events are in the US.
- ^Since the 2015 season, the only series race held outside the U.S. is hosted by Canada. Australia, Brazil, and Japan have hosted races in the past.
- ^Like many football leagues in Latin America, Mexico divides its season intotwo phaseswith separate champions in each phase. Unlike most leagues in that sport, Liga MX uses a knockout playoff, involving the top eight teams after league play, to determine its champions.
- ^The current2019–20 seasonfeatures one team fromMonacoinAS Monaco,which has been in the league on numerous occasions, most recently since the2013–14 season.
- ^TheSerie del Reyusually ends in September.
- ^Most LPGA events are held in the US, but it also sole-sanctions official money events in Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, China, Canada, Malaysia, and Taiwan, as well as an unofficial event in Brazil. Since 2013, two of itsmajors,onein the UK andthe otherin France, have been co-sanctioned with theLadies European Tour.The LPGA also co-sanctions events with theKorean LPGAandJapan LPGAin those countries and theALPG Tourin Australia.
- ^TheWorld Seriesusually ends in late October, but can extend into early November.
- ^Since the 2013 season, the top two NASCAR touring series, theCup SeriesandXfinity Series,race only in the US. The third-levelTruck Serieshas a race in Canada. The Xfinity Series has previously held races in Canada and Mexico. NASCAR also operates national series inCanadaandMexicoanda European series,plus many regional developmental series in the US.
- ^NASCAR has used a playoff-style system to determine the champion of the Cup Series since 2004; in 2016, it extended this system to its other two U.S. national touring series. The playoffs in the Xfinity and Truck Series are shorter than that of the Cup Series.
- ^The NFL currently takes at least one regular-season gameoutside the US(London since 2007). TheJacksonville Jaguarsare nearing the end of an eight-year period (2013–2020) in which one home game is in London. The 2019 season is the fourth consecutive season for a scheduled game in Mexico City, though the game originally scheduled for Mexico City in 2018 was moved to Los Angeles. For several years in the early 21st century, theBuffalo Billsplayedone home game per season in Toronto.
- ^TheNHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Seriesuses a playoff system known as theCountdown to the Championshipto determine the champion of each of the four drag racing classes.
- ^The competition was established in 2014 as a solely Australian affair; theFijian Druajoined in 2017.
- ^abThe NCAA has never recognizedan official championin the top-levelDivision I FBS.Although the four-teamCollege Football Playoffbegan in 2014, it is not an official NCAA championship event. All other NCAA divisions determine officially recognized champions in playoff tournaments that start in November. The playoffs in DivisionsIIandIIIend in December. Since the 2010 season, theDivision I FCSplayoffsend in January.
- ^The schedule listed here is that for the most recently completed 2018 season. In some years, the playoffs are held in October. In addition, the NWSL season is disrupted twice in a four-year cycle—first by the FIFA Women's World Cup, and then the following year by the Summer Olympics. In those years, fewer regular-season games are played, and the league takes a break for the stated event.
- ^The vast majority of the PGA Tour's sole-sanctioned events are in the US proper, but the tour also has events in Malaysia, Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Along with the European Tour, the PGA Tour co-sanctions themajor championshipsand theWorld Golf Championships;one of the majors is held in the UK, one of the WGC events is held in China, and the rest of these events are in the US.
- ^Calendar shown was for the 2011–12 season. It has been frequently adjusted since 2012–13 for multiple reasons, therefore the start and end of each conference and season varies from month to month.
- ^While almost all teams in the multi-tieredEnglish football league systemare based in England, a small number of teams from Wales also take part. Of these, both {{subst:fc|Cardiff City}} and {{subst:fc|Swansea City}} have spent seasons in the Premier League.
- ^The 2016–17 season marked the completion of Argentina's transition from its former calendar-yearApertura and Clausuraseason format to a single league season spanning two calendar years.
- ^abDepending on the calendar, the final may fall on the last weekend of May in some seasons.
- ^Super League was founded in 1996 with teams in England and France; France had no presence in the league from 1998–2005.
- ^Currently, one race is held in New Zealand. Bahrain, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the USA have staged races in the past. Longer-term plans call for additional races in Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea.
- ^ArgentineandJapaneseteams joined the competition in 2016, though the Japanese team will be axed after the 2020 season. The Japanese team divides its "home" matches between Tokyo andSingapore.
- ^The playoffs, or "finals" as they are officially called, begin in late June inRugby World Cupyears.
- ^During World Cup years, the final match is held in July; in other years, the finals begin in July.
- ^In non-World Cup years, the final match is held in August.
- ^The league originally involved only the three Celtic nations; Italy joined beginning in the2010–11 season,and South Africa in2017–18.
- ^During Summer Olympic years, the WNBA Finals run into late October. During years in which the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup is held, the season is compressed, with the WNBA Finals ending in September. In other years, the WNBA Finals end in early October.
Summary
edit| Sport | Duration |
|---|---|
| American football | Originally football was played only in the fall, but for many years the season has extended from late summer through early to mid-winter.
|
| Association football | Usually August to May in the Northern Hemisphere, and February to November in the Southern Hemisphere. Exceptions are generally for one of two reasons:
(SeeDomestic association football seasonfor details.) |
| Australian rules football | March to late August, with finals series extending up to late September or early October. |
| Baseball | March or April to early October, with playoffs extending up to early November. The Australian Baseball League runs from November to early February, with playoffs extending up to late February. |
| Basketball | In most countries, late October to mid-April, with playoffs extending up to mid-June. The three major exceptions to this rule are:
|
| Canadian football | July to late October, with playoffs extending into November. |
| Cricket | Year-round. Domestic seasons typically held in the driest period of the year—summer in temperate climates, dry season in tropical climates. |
| Golf | Year-round |
| Ice hockey | Early October to mid-April, with playoffs extending up to early June. The three major exceptions to this rule are:
|
| Motor racing | Year-round, but generally concentrated from March to October. NASCAR runs from mid-February to late September, with playoffs extending up to late November. |
| Rugby league | Late February to October in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. |
| Rugby union | September to late May, sometimes the first weekend in June, in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, Super Rugby starts in February and ends in early July inWorld Cupyears and mid-August in other years. Domestic competitions inNew ZealandandSouth Africaoverlap slightly with the Super Rugby season, starting in July and ending in October or November. InAustralia,the domestic competition does not overlap at all with Super Rugby, instead beginning in August and ending in early November. |
| Swimming | Year-round |
| Tennis | Year-round |
Notes and references
edit- ^Michael Shapiro (August 12, 2019)."MLB 2020 schedule release: Cubs host Red Sox, Trout to Philly".
- ^Rodney D. Fort; John Fizel (2004).International Sports Economics Comparisons.Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 316–.ISBN978-0-275-98032-0.
- ^Anderson, Scott (2017-02-01)."NCAA Football Off-Season Training: Unanswered Prayers… A Prayer Answered".Journal of Athletic Training.52(2): 145–148.doi:10.4085/1062-6050-52.3.02.ISSN1062-6050.PMC5343527.PMID28140625.
- ^Andrews, Donnie; Banks, Chris (2020-11-30)."An Assessment of the Benefits of Off-Season Training Among Teenage Basketball Players".The Physical Educator.77(5).doi:10.18666/TPE-2020-V77-I5-9279.ISSN2160-1682.
- ^Neuls, Filip; Botek, Michal; Krejčí, Jakub; Sigmund, Martin (2023-02-16)."Comparison of selected performance-associated parameters after off-season and two-month training preparation in professional Czech ice hockey players".Acta Gymnica.53.doi:10.5507/ag.2023.001.