<P> The Football Association Premier League Ltd (FAPL) is operated as a corporation and is owned by the 20 member clubs . Each club is a shareholder, with one vote each on issues such as rule changes and contracts . The clubs elect a chairman, chief executive, and board of directors to oversee the daily operations of the league . The current chairman is Sir Dave Richards, who was appointed in April 1999, and the chief executive is Richard Scudamore, appointed in November 1999 . The former chairman and chief executive, John Quinton and Peter Leaver, were forced to resign in March 1999 after awarding consultancy contracts to former Sky executives Sam Chisholm and David Chance . The Football Association is not directly involved in the day - to - day operations of the Premier League, but has veto power as a special shareholder during the election of the chairman and chief executive and when new rules are adopted by the league . </P> <P> The Premier League sends representatives to UEFA's European Club Association, the number of clubs and the clubs themselves chosen according to UEFA coefficients . For the 2012--13 season the Premier League has 10 representatives in the Association: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur . The European Club Association is responsible for electing three members to UEFA's Club Competitions Committee, which is involved in the operations of UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and UEFA Europa League . </P> <P> There are 20 clubs in the Premier League . During the course of a season (from August to May) each club plays the others twice (a double round - robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents', for a total of 38 games . Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw . No points are awarded for a loss . Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored . If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position . If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play - off match at a neutral venue decides rank . The three lowest placed teams are relegated into the EFL Championship, and the top two teams from the Championship, together with the winner of play - offs involving the third to sixth placed Championship clubs, are promoted in their place . </P> <P> As of the 2009--10 season qualification for the UEFA Champions League changed, the top four teams in the Premier League qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with the top three teams directly entering the group stage . Previously only the top two teams qualified automatically . The fourth - placed team enters the Champions League at the play - off round for non-champions and must win a two - legged knockout tie in order to enter the group stage . </P>

How many games in a premier league season