There is only one route into the English Football League (EFL) and that’s via the National League.

Football’s fifth tier can be a cruel and merciless place but the light at the end of the tunnel is promotion to League Two. A spot within the fabled ’92 Club’ is as prestigious as it is difficult to come by for the residents of the National League.

The play-off system works a little differently in the National League than within the EFL, making it even more competitive and fiercely-fought.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 National League play-offs.

Despite there being 24 teams in the National League, only one side gains automatic promotion into the EFL. Unsurprisingly, that’s the team that tops the table come the end of the 46-game season.

The six teams that finish directly below the champions (second to seventh) then compete in the play-offs. There are two initial ‘quarter-finals’ where fourth place takes on seventh and fifth clash with sixth. These matches are one-off games that take place at the home ground of the side that finishes higher in the regular season.

The winners of those two deciders qualify for the play-off semi-finals where the winner of fourth vs seventh takes on the side that finished second in the regular season and the winner of fifth vs sixth plays the team that finished third overall in the National League.

Again, these are one-legged ties hosted by the sides that finished higher in the division and the winners of the two semis clash in the final at Wembley Stadium. The victor in the showpiece event secures promotion to League Two for the following campaign.

If any match in the National League play-offs finishes as a draw, extra-time and penalties will be used to decide the winner.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for the National League play-offs but they will take place shortly after the final round of matches on 5 May 2025.

Last term, the play-off final took place approximately two weeks after the end of the National League season.

Both Forest Green and Sutton United will be eager to return to League Two after they were relegated to the National League in 2023/24. Similarly, Barnet, Altrincham and Halifax Town will all be keen to follow up their qualification for last season’s play-offs with another strong campaign.

Solihull Moors lost to Bromley in last season’s play-off final and could go a step further this year, while Southend United will be desperate to make their EFL return having been relegated from League Two in 2020/21.

Promotion to League Two has huge financial benefits for clubs as they are then able to earn basic prize money from the EFL. They also receive a solidarity payment from the Premier League which is worth approximately £1m.

Once reaching the EFL, there is also a boost in TV revenue and often matchday ticket sales.

In 23 past National League play-offs (including prior to the competition’s rebranding in 2016), only one side has won the final on more than one occasion: Grimsby Town. They have triumphed twice, most recently in 2022.

Some of the biggest clubs to have won the National League play-off final include Notts County, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster Rovers.

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