The National League sits just beneath the EFL League Two on the English football pyramid. It comprises three divisions and 72 teams, who are split equally between the headline Vanarama National League, National League North and National League South to add up to the list of English football teams.
The National League is a professional competition, with the Vanarama National League representing the fifth tier of the English game. It currently features former Premier League team Oldham Athletic, alongside relatively high-profile sides like Rochdale, York City and Barnet.
But what other clubs currently ply their trade in the National League? Here’s a comprehensive list!
National League Clubs 2024/2025 – Full List
| Club Name | Year Created | Stadium | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Fylde | 1998 | Mill Farm Sports Village | Borough of Fylde, Lancashire |
| Aldershot Town | 1992 | EBB Stadium at The Recreation Ground | Aldershot Hampshire |
| Altrincham | 1891 | Moss Lane | Altrincham, Greater Manchester |
| Barnet | 1888 | The Hive Stadium | Edgware, London |
| Boston United | 1933 | Hayes Lane | Boston, England |
| Braintree Town | 1898 | Cressing Road | Braintree, Essex |
| Dagenham & Redbridge | 1992 | Chigwell Construction Stadium | Dagenham, Greater London |
| Eastleigh | 1946 | Silverlake Stadium | Eastleigh, Hampshire |
| Ebbsfleet United | 1946 | Stonebridge Road | Northfleet, Kent |
| FC Halifax Town | 2008 | The Shay | Halifax, West Yorkshire |
| Forest Green Rovers | 1889 | The Bolt New Lawn | Nailsworth, Gloucestershire |
| Gateshead | 1977 | Gateshead International Stadium | Gateshead Tyne and Wear |
| Hartlepool United | 1908 | Victoria Park | Hartlepool, England |
| Maidenhead United | 1870 | York Road | Maidenhead, England |
| Oldham Athletic | 1895 | Boundary Park | Oldham, Greater Manchester |
| Rochdale | 1907 | Crown Oil Arena | Rochdale Lancashire |
| Solihull Moors | 2007 | Damson Park | Solihull, West Midlands |
| Southend United | 1906 | Roots Hall | Southend-on-Sea, England |
| Sutton United | 1898 | Gander Green Lane | Sutton, Luton |
| Tamworth | 1933 | The Lamb Ground | Tamworth, Staffordshire |
| Wealdstone | 1899 | Grosvenor Vale | Ruislip, England |
| Woking | 1887 | Kingfield Stadium | Woking, Surrey |
| Yeovil Town | 1895 | Huish Park | Yeovil, Somerset |
| York City | 1922 | York Community Stadium | Huntington, York |
Frequently Asked on the National league teams
Who gets promoted from the national league?
The team that tops the National League table at the end of each season earns automatic promotion to League 2 and the fourth tier of the English game. The six teams that finish between second and seventh will then compete in a National League play-off series, the winner of which will also gain promotion to League 2.
What is the lowest division in English football?
League Two is the lowest tier in the EFL, but the National League (including the North and South divisions) comprises the next three divisions. The English football pyramid has 11 tiers in total, including semi-professional leagues and regional competitions.
Has any team gone from the National League to Premier League?
In the 2023/24 season, Luton Town became the first former National League team to reach the Premier League. They had last competed in the National League in the 2013/14 campaign. Currently, Oldham Athletic are the only National League team that has previously played in the EPL (they also reached the FA Cup semi-final in the 1993/94 season).
How many teams are in the EFL now?
The EFL comprises three divisions (The Championship, League One and League Two) and 72 clubs. The Vanarama National League includes 24 teams in total, as do the National League North and South. In total, the current National League structure comprises 72 clubs.
How many teams get promoted from the national league?
As we’ve touched on, two teams gain promotion from the Vanarama National League at the end of each season (one automatically and another via the playoffs). These teams are directly replaced by the two sides relegated from League Two.
How many teams get relegated from the national league?
Some four clubs are also relegated from the Vanarama National League after each campaign. Two sides drop into the National League North, with the other two joining the National League South (depending on location). Four teams are promoted into the Vanarama National League, with two each coming from the North and South divisions.
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