Relegation Battle / Survival Fight

A “relegation battle” is the fight near the bottom of the league table to avoid being dropped (relegated) to a lower division.

Example:

“Everton are deep in a relegation battle.” means they’re close to the cutoff line and need wins to stay in the top flight.

Why It Matters

Relegation changes everything — finances, players, even the club’s future. For many fans, surviving is as thrilling as winning the title.

Everyday Comparison (U.S. Sports)

There’s no true U.S. equivalent. Imagine if the worst NBA teams were demoted to the G League — that’s what’s at stake.