Currently, there’s only one automatic promotion spot to League Two, which is awarded to the champions.
The National League playoffs, meanwhile, determine the second promotion berth, and the National League playoffs format was restructured for the 2017/18 campaign.
Now, six teams (2nd to 7th) are involved in an expanded competition, consisting of quarter-finals or eliminators, semi-finals, and a showpiece final at Wembley.
Rochdale were promoted to League Two at the expense of Boreham Wood in the 2026 final via a penalty shootout. Our guide highlights National League playoff rules, including semi-final pairings and dates to jot down in your diaries for 2026/27.
How the National League Play-Offs Work
So, how do the National League playoffs work then? It’s a six-club knockout format, involving teams finishing second through to seventh during the regular season.
Teams finishing second and third qualify automatically for the semi-final, and our table highlights how the playoffs work, including potential routes to the final.
| Round | Fixture | Venue |
| Quarter-Final | 4th vs 7th; 5th vs 6th (known as Eliminators) | Home of higher-placed team, one match |
| Semi-Final | 2nd vs winner of 5th v 6th; 3rd vs winner of 4th v 7th | Home of 2nd and 3rd, one match |
| Final | Contested between semi-final winners | Wembley Stadium |
*The National League playoffs format for the semi-final sees the second and third-placed teams given a bye and head straight into the last four. They will be guaranteed a one-legged home tie as they bid to reach the final.
Why Finishing 2nd or 3rd Matters
Finishing second or third during the regular season matters a great deal in the National League playoffs. Firstly, such teams are automatically fast-tracked to the semi-finals as they are given a bye, which means they will have fewer games to play.
With one game fewer to play, these teams can have more rest before the semi-finals. Also, teams that finish second or third will have just a one-legged home semi-final tie to contend with, and playing in front of their fans could give them a slight edge as they seek to reach the final.
Last Season’s Play-Offs: 2026 Recap
The 2026 National League playoffs were dramatic, and we’ve recapped how events unfolded from the quarter-finals up to the final:
- York City went up to League Two as champions after amassing 108 points.
- Quarter-Finals: Scunthorpe United beat Southend United 1-0, while Boreham Wood moved into the semi-finals, eking out a 1-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers with extra time required.
- Semi-Finals: Boreham Wood took out third-placed Carlisle United with a 2-1 win after extra time, while Rochdale, who finished runner-up during the regular season, clinched a 2-1 win at home to Scunthorpe.
- The Final took place on 10 May at Wembley. A crowd of 17,740 witnessed a 2-2 draw between Boreham Wood and Rochdale.
- The game went to penalties, which Rochdale won 3-1, to send them up to League Two.
Recent National League Play-Off Winners
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the previous National League play-off winners. This table draws your attention to the past five finals, highlighting the winners and runners-up:
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
| 2025-26 | Rochdale | 2-2 (aet, 3-1 pens) | Boreham Wood |
| 2024-25 | Oldham Athletic | 3-2 (aet) | Southend United |
| 2023-24 | Bromley | 2-2 (aet, 4-3 pens) | Solihull Moors |
| 2022-23 | Notts County | 2-2 (aet, 4-3 pens) | Chesterfield |
| 2021-22 | Grimsby Town | 2-1 (aet) | Solihull Moors |
When Are the 2027 National League Playoffs?
The playoffs usually take place after the regular season has finished. The 2026/27 National League (see our teams guide) started on Saturday 8 August 2026 and will conclude on Saturday 24 April 2027.
In terms of the National League playoff dates, the final has been earmarked to take place over the weekend of Saturday, 8 May 2027, and once again it will be held at Wembley Stadium.
As of yet, no official word has been provided by the National League on the dates for the quarter-finals or semi-finals; however, these are likely to take place in the fortnight after the league season has finished. This page will be updated accordingly when official dates and times are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the National League playoffs?
The format sees six teams take part in the National League playoffs, covering sides that finished second to seventh during the regular season.
Teams that were second or third during the regular season are given a bye into the semi-finals, where they will contest a one-legged home tie.
Where is the National League play-off final?
The National League play-off final will be contested at Wembley Stadium.
Who won the 2026 National League play-off final?
Rochdale took the spoils and earned promotion after beating Boreham Wood on penalties.
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