European Under-19 national football teams compete for the European Under-19 Football Championship, the final of which is held every year. The first tournament was held in 1975, with the format changing slightly over the years. Currently, qualification involves 48 teams participating in the first stage, with 28 progressing to the Elite round. The group winners (and hosts) then progress to the proper tournament, with the top two teams in both groups qualifying for the semi-finals.