Step
5
League Hub
National League
Step one non-league football where full-time and hybrid clubs compete for two prized EFL promotion places.
Automatic promotion: 1 Relegation: 4
Top non-league corridor where clubs bridge community identity with EFL ambition.
Typical movement: 2 up to League Two (champions + play-off winner), 4 down to National League North/South. How the pyramid works.
Clubs Covered
24
Total Capacity
181,763
Avg Capacity
7,573
League History & Context
National League is a key competition at step 5 in the English football pyramid.
Promotion, relegation, and club sustainability are central to how this league evolves each season.
Modern History Ranges
- 2015-2018: Conference-to-National League identity fully bedded in, with stronger broadcast visibility and larger travelling support.
- 2019-2022: Financial spread widened between full-time contenders and hybrid models, while fixture disruption tested depth and infrastructure.
- 2023-2025: Ex-EFL clubs increased competitive intensity; title races and play-offs became nationally prominent.
Recent League Outcomes
| Season | Champion | Promoted | Relegated | Play-off Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Barnet | Barnet · Oldham Athletic | Dagenham & Redbridge · Maidenhead United · AFC Fylde · Ebbsfleet United | Oldham Athletic |
| 2023-24 | Chesterfield | Chesterfield · Bromley | Oxford City · Boreham Wood · Kidderminster Harriers · Dorking Wanderers | Bromley |
| 2022-23 | Wrexham | Wrexham · Notts County | Maidstone United · Scunthorpe United · Torquay United · Yeovil Town | Notts County |
Latest League Stories
relegation
Step One Survival Models Are Changing After Winter Injury Spikes
National League strugglers are shifting from reactive loans to planned depth profiles built around availability.
Club Register
Founding year, ground, and capacity
| Club | Position | Founded | Ground | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldershot Town | - | 1900 | Recreation Ground | 7,100 |
| Altrincham | - | 1891 | Moss Lane, Altrincham | 7,873 |
| Boreham Wood | - | 1948 | Meadow Park, Borehamwood | 4,500 |
| Boston United | - | 1900 | Boston Community Stadium | 5,061 |
| Brackley Town | - | 1890 | St James Park, Brackley | 3,500 |
| Braintree Town | - | 1898 | Cressing Road, Braintree | 4,222 |
| Carlisle United | - | 1900 | Brunton Park | 17,949 |
| Eastleigh | - | 1900 | Ten Acres | 5,192 |
| FC Halifax Town | - | 1900 | The Shay | 14,081 |
| Forest Green Rovers | - | 1900 | The New Lawn | 5,141 |
| Gateshead | - | 1977 | Gateshead International Stadium | 11,800 |
| Hartlepool United | - | 1900 | Victoria Park | 7,858 |
| Morecambe | - | 1900 | Mazuma Mobile Stadium | 6,476 |
| Rochdale | - | 1900 | Spotland Stadium | 10,249 |
| Scunthorpe United | - | 1900 | Glanford Park | 9,088 |
| Solihull Moors | - | 1900 | Damson Park | 5,500 |
| Southend United | - | 1900 | Roots Hall | 12,392 |
| Sutton United | - | 1900 | Gander Green Lane, Sutton | 7,032 |
| Tamworth | - | 1933 | The Lamb Ground, Tamworth | 4,963 |
| Truro City | - | 1900 | Truro City Stadium, Threemilestone | 3,600 |
| Wealdstone | - | 1900 | Grosvenor Vale | 4,085 |
| Woking | - | 1900 | Kingfield Stadium | 6,036 |
| Yeovil Town | - | 1900 | Huish Park | 9,565 |
| York City | - | 1900 | York Community Stadium | 8,500 |