The National League Promotion Push: This is Why 3UP Needs to Happen

The National League Promotion Push: This is Why 3UP Needs to Happen

If there wasn't already enough of a reason, there is no better time like the present to install a third promotion spot in the National League.

Less than one-third of the way into the season, the top end of the fifth tier is becoming seriously competitive. We already have four teams to have hit the 30-point mark, with just a one-point difference separating third and first.

But that’s not even the whole story; there are also roughly nine teams all contesting for a playoff spot, which is absurd considering only two of them will reach the Football League come May next year.

Whilst these teams are having to make do with the limited promotion opportunities they've got, they are certainly putting on a show. Two of the top four teams were occupying places in the sixth tier of English football last term, yet have turned it around to potentially put their name in the Football League hat.

A Thrilling Title Race

It is currently Rochdale who lead the National League pack. The Greater Manchester side have amassed 33 points from 13 games so far, which is a truly emphatic record. However, their outstanding start still hasn't created any comfort for the Dale, considering two teams in Boreham Wood and Carlisle are both tightly on their tail.

3⃣ goals.
3⃣ points.#rafc pic.twitter.com/0fGPjJlN5M

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) October 18, 2025

The pair are just one point away from Rochdale, forming a gripping top three battle. However, it doesn't stop there; newly promoted Scunthorpe are in fourth with 30 points, and Robbie Savage’s Forest Green are fifth with 29 points.

One thing that slants tremendously in the league leaders favour is that they have two games in hand over all the other teams mentioned, meaning they could potentially extend their gap on second place to seven points should they win both games.

This is certainly a high possibility; the Dale have only lost two games this season, winning 11 of the 13 played. They have also conceded just seven goals in total, while netting 27 at the other end.

Jim McNulty has finally got his side playing to the standards they should be, making a League Two return a plausible outcome this season. However, there is still plenty of time left in the campaign, with many teams eager to win as well.

Boreham Wood were a National League South side six months ago. Now they have gained nine wins and five draws from their opening 15 games in the fifth tier, having only lost one match so far - ironically to Rochdale on opening day. Luke Garrard will never fail to impress in Hertfordshire.

Carlisle are arguably the biggest club in non-League football. They are a side who simply should not be at this level following a devastating relegation last term. Despite a couple of losses here and there, the Cumbrians are shaping up nicely with their dream team, having climbed up the table after a handful of recent victories.

Scunthorpe United are another side to have made the step up over the summer. However, they were actually in the National League North last season. The Iron are the final team to have hit the 30-point mark, after having won eight, drawn six and lost one of their games. Once again, they are a team who were not too long ago competing in the League One playoffs, so to have dropped down to the sixth tier is something truly unheard of.

Forest Green started their campaign exceptionally. Robbie Savage’s men went 13 games unbeaten and topped the table, but two consecutive defeats have seen them drop as low as fifth. It was both Carlisle and Rochdale who worked their magic on the Green, which has ultimately shuffled the whole top five, courtesy of the duo of six-pointer fixtures.

Why Does 3UP Need to Happen?

3UP is an argument that has been campaigned for in non-League football for a while now. It consists of the FA adding a third promotion spot to the National League, subsequently giving League Two a third relegation place.

It is something that has not yet been installed, due to English Football League clubs voting against it. However, many see the current format as unjust to National League outfits.

"Obviously we are not going to vote for it." ❌

"Should we not look after our own teams?" 🤷

Shrewsbury Town manager Gareth Ainsworth on the National League's 3UP campaign ↕️#BBCFootball #Salop #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/Jw27rCBkAD

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) February 6, 2025

Over the last five years, the National League calibre has continued to ramp up, and could now realistically be considered as at its highest point ever. We have seen teams such as Wrexham, Stockport, Notts County, Bromley and Chesterfield all pass through.

However, there have also been multiple clubs to have executed stellar campaigns in the fifth tier, reaching staggering points totals, yet not be promoted due to this uneven format. Last season was the main example; York City reached an astonishing 96 points - six points lower than league champions Barnet, meaning the Yorkshire outfit were reduced to the playoffs.

However, after one round in the playoffs, the Minstermen were knocked straight out, putting a whole year’s worth of hard work and excellence to waste.

Notts County were in a similar position just two years ago as well. The Midlands side went down to the wire with Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham; however, their whopping 107 points weren't enough to outweigh Wrexham’s 111. Fortunately, County succeeded in the playoffs to gain promotion, but only by the skin of their teeth. Surely, if 107 points is not enough to guarantee promotion, something needs to change.

It would not be a surprise if we see something similar happen this season. With five teams all in and around the only automatic promotion place, the final outcome is bound to be tight - especially considering all five of them are on track to reach 100 points for the season.

The Delayed Kick-Off Campaign

The National League is fighting this case more than ever right now. They have even announced that all fixtures will kick off at 3:03pm on the 15th November, three minutes late to aid the 3UP bid.

🚨 𝗔𝗟𝗟 National League games will kick off at 3:03pm on Saturday 15th November!

ℹ️ This is part of the ‘3UP Day of Action’, supporting the National League’s campaign for three clubs to be promoted to the EFL. pic.twitter.com/FdrEQGOqNc

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) October 11, 2025

The league originally wanted this change inducted for the current 2025/26 campaign, as all 24 teams wrote to the EFL board back in February as part of the campaign. However, to make this change happen, the EFL would need at least 72 of their clubs to vote in favour of 3UP and a majority in Championship sides.

Due to the limited promotion places, League Two still only has two relegation spots. Considering the fourth tier also has three automatic promotion grants and a playoff winner, the league is completely weighted towards pushing teams upwards.

This not only means that relegation becomes a huge threat for League One sides, but also creates a huge imbalance for the National League.