National League Teams Guide 2026/27

The National League provides the footballing framework beneath the EFL, representing the fifth tier of English football.

For the 2026/27 campaign, there are 24 National League teams. The division, which is the highest level of the National League system, contains teams from the previous campaign, relegated League Two sides, and clubs promoted from the National League North and South.

This guide provides a broad overview of promotion and relegation structure, profiles the National League teams, and explains how the FA determines allocations.

National League Teams 2026/27

The FA allocation process supports the current club list, and here is the National League line-up for the 2026/27 season:

• AFC Fylde
• Aldershot Town
• Altrincham
• Barrow
• Boreham Wood
• Boston United
• Carlisle United
• Eastleigh
• FC Halifax Town
• Forest Green Rovers
• Gateshead
• Harrogate Town
• Hartlepool United
• Hornchurch
• Kidderminster Harriers
• Scunthorpe United
• Solihull Moors
• Southend United
• Sutton United
• Tamworth
• Wealdstone
• Woking
• Worthing
• Yeovil Town

National League Teams A-F

AFC Fylde – AFC Fylde play at Mill Farm in Wesham and joined the National League after winning the 2025/26 National League North title with 100 points.

Aldershot Town – Nicknamed ‘The Shots’, Aldershot Town staved off relegation, finishing four points above the drop zone.

Altrincham – Known as ‘The Robins’, Altrincham enjoyed a comfortable mid-table finish last season in the National League (13th), and they host matches at the The J.Davidson Stadium. 

Barrow – Barrow’s six-year stay in League Two ended after a wretched campaign. Their home ground, Holker Street, has a capacity of 6,500.

Boreham Wood – One of the most formidable National League clubs, Boreham Wood lost to Rochdale in the play-off Final. Meadow Park hopes to host EFL matches for the first time next season. 

Boston United – 12th in the National League last term, Boston United have started upgrades to the Jakemans Community Stadium.

Carlisle United – Managed by former Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliott, the Cumbrians finished third in 25/26. They were 23 points adrift of champions York City, and they are expected to go up this time round.

Eastleigh – Originally called Ten Acres, Silverlake Stadium also host Southampton Women. Eastleigh are one of those National League clubs aiming for a higher finish after coming home in 17th last season.

FC Halifax Town – The Shay Stadium is also home to Rugby League side Halifax Panthers. Halifax will be pushing for a play-off spot after just missing out last season.

Forest Green Rovers – Forest Green Rovers were knocked out by Boreham Wood in the play-offs last term, so will be gunning for better this time round.

 

National League Teams G-S

Gateshead – The multipurpose all-seater Gateshead International Stadium has been redeveloped on three occasions. Last season, they finished 18th.

Harrogate Town – Managed by Simon Weaver, who has been in charge since May 2009, Harrogate will target a speedy return to League Two.

Hartlepool United – Hartlepool finished ninth in the National League in 2025/26. They have made steady progress in the National League since relegation from League Two in 2023.

Hornchurch – A dramatic 3-2 National League South play-off final win over Torquay last season saw Hornchurch clamber into the National League.

Kidderminster Harriers – Promotion to the National League was achieved by beating South Shields in the National League North play-off final. Aggborough Stadium stages games.

Scunthorpe United – The ‘Iron’ finished fifth last season, but succumbed to Rochdale in the play-offs. Home games are contested at the Attis Arena for sponsorship reasons.

Solihull Moors – A 14th-place finish last term consolidated Solihull Moors’ National League status. The ARMCO Arena accommodates over 1,000 travelling supporters.

Southend United – The Shrimpers reached the play-offs last term, but fell short. However, they did lift the FA Trophy.

Sutton United – Sutton struggled last term, finishing 19th, but the VBS Community Stadium holds over 7,000 fans.

 

National League Teams T-Y

Tamworth – Tamworth were 11th last season, and the CR MOT Centre Community Stadium entertains visiting teams.

Wealdstone – Denied silverware, Wealdstone slumped to 15th last term. Games are held at the Grosvenor Vale Stadium.

Woking – Woking finished tenth in the 2025/26 National League and play their home matches at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Worthing – Worthing moved into the National League after sealing the National League South title on the final day of the 25/26 season.

Yeovil Town – The Somerset club finished 16th in 2025/26. Yeovil play their home matches at Huish Park.

Which Teams Joined the National League for 2026/27?

Promotion and relegation change the complexion of the National League each season. 

The National League has six new entrants this season — two relegated League Two teams, two teams promoted from the National League North and two that went up from National League South.

 

Teams Relegated from League Two

Barrow’s demise to the National League was sealed after a 2-1 defeat to Newport on the final day of the season.

Harrogate, meanwhile, harboured a chance of safety, but crashed into the National League after a 2-1 reverse to Barnet.

 

Teams Promoted from the National League North

Fylde’s 4-2 win over Merthyr Town saw them crowned National League North champions.

Kidderminster secured promotion to English football’s fifth tier for the first time in three years after their play-off final win over South Shields.

 

Teams Promoted From National League South

Worthing’s promotion completed a remarkable rise under Adam Hinshelwood. After taking over an unsettled side in October 2025, Worthing finished top of the table with 84 points.

Hornchurch will also be one of the new kids on the block. A play-off final win over Torquay United means they are taking their National League bow.

 

Which Teams Left the National League After 2025/26?

While new clubs enter the National League, there are teams heading in the opposite direction, for better or worse, as discussed below.

 

Promoted to League Two

York City were unrelenting last season, registering 108 points, and were crowned champions.

Rochdale, on the other hand, accrued 106 points, but needed to get past Boreham Wood in the play-off final to go up.

 

Relegated From the National League

The four teams relegated from the National League were Brackley Town, Morecambe, Braintree Town, and Truro City.

The FA organises clubs across six steps of the National League. Demoted clubs move into a division based on geographical mapping, and allocations are subject to amendments.

 

How Does the National League Work?

So, how many teams are in the National League? This section should clarify things for you.

 

Number of Teams and Matches

• A standard season comprises 24 teams.
• Each team plays every other side twice, once at home and once away.
• This entails 46 league matches (23×2).
• The points system is three for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a defeat.

 

Promotion to League Two

Teams topping the National League automatically head up to League Two. Meanwhile, one other team is promoted via the play-offs. Clubs finishing second to seventh qualify, but it comprises an eliminator-style system, resulting in the Final traditionally held at Wembley.

 

Relegation

Relegated clubs are allocated to National League North or National League South based primarily on geography, although ground requirements, vacancies and other regulatory considerations can affect the final allocations. The National League is Step 1 of the National League System, while the North and South divisions are at Step 2.

 

Where Are National League Teams Based?

The National League is well spread across England:

• Gateshead and Hartlepool are in the North East, while Yeovil are Somerset-based. There is also a strong contingent of teams in the London vicinity, including Sutton and Hornchurch.
• Despite the name, the National League sits directly above the geographically divided National League North and National League South.
• Given the distance of aforementioned teams, this can place greater travel burdens during a gruelling season.

 

National League vs National League North and South

It can be easy for readers to conflate the different competitions, but we’ve sought to simplify things:

• The National League functions as Step 1 of the National League system, and denotes the fifth tier of English football.
• National League North and National League South represent Step 2 in the National League system.
• North/South divisions are geographically organised.
• Clubs earn promotion from the North/South divisions into the National League.
• Relegated National League teams are reassigned to the North or South division.
• FA allocations distinguish the Step 1 National League from the two Step 2 divisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About National League Teams

How many teams are in the National League?

The National League features 24 teams.

Which teams were relegated to the National League in 2026?

Barrow and Harrogate were demoted from League Two.

Which teams were promoted to the National League in 2026?

AFC Fylde, Kidderminster Harriers, Worthing and Hornchurch were all promoted to the National League.

 

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