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Put Football First - National League Urges EFL To Grant A Third Promotion Place

The National League have set up a petition in order to change the way promotion and relegation between the EFL and National League works, in order to present National League sides with a fair opportunity to rise as a club. The current system sees only one National League spot for guaranteed promotion to the EFL, with another up for grabs through the play-offs. This allows only two teams to get promoted to League Two each season, with this petition aiming to add a second guaranteed spot, so that second place in the League would get automatic promotion.

National League clubs are all banding together to promote this petition in the hopes that the EFL will listen and put it on their agenda so that member clubs can formally debate and vote on this crucial change.

Why are we waiting? 🤷

Got a spare few minutes before kick-off? Play your part in supporting the National League's #3UPDayofAction and sign the petition to help us fight for #3UP 👇

Sign here - https://t.co/gbsfI1ZLOQ pic.twitter.com/oduEgoSjbK
— Hartlepool United (@Official_HUFC) November 15, 2025

The National League has seen many seasons go by where the second place side have finished with a point tally even as high as 100 points plus!, but they still only have to settle for a play-off place. In some instances, these sides haven't even won in the play-offs so the heavily successful season would go completely unrewarded.

On average, the runners up in the League earn 89.4 points over the course of 46 game season. Of those runners up, only 30.4% go on to win the play-offs and earn promotion. League Two currently only has two relegation spots, which protects struggling teams, keeping them in the EFL instead of dropping into the National League and being able to prove themselves worthy of getting back up. The EFL currently have three promotion spots in all three of their divisions, the 3up petition is just asking for the same in the National League.

Football fans on social media seem to be in large agreement that change is needed and they are urging the EFL to comply. Even big broadcasters like Jeff Stelling is getting his opinion heard over on 'X', stating 'when will the EFL listen to the fans'.

So many people believe that #3UP is only fair and just. When will the EFL listen to the fans ? https://t.co/DJWcFjQydB
— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) November 15, 2025

If the EFL choose to comply and change the way the English football pyramid is set up, this will present National League sides with a system that rewards merit, encourages competition, and strengthens the entire football pyramid itself.

Step 1 to 3 sides have shown their support for the petition over this weekend, by all agreeing to a delayed kick-off time. All scheduled kick-offs are now scheduled to kick-off at 15:03 in support of the 3up campaign.

As a show of support for the #3up campaign, fixtures from steps 1-3 will see a delayed kick off time this weekend with kickoffs all scheduled for 15:03 pm ⏰

Do you support the 3Up campaign? 🤔

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/OPOrpNaEQn #TalkingPoint pic.twitter.com/bIGnt85YSM
— Non League Heroes (@NonLeagueHeroes) November 14, 2025

With the vast majority of football supporting the idea of the '3up', we will have to wait and see if the EFL take this in and agree with the change. However with the large amount of talk all being in favour of the petition, you would think that the EFL would comply and bring the idea to the member clubs in order to come to an agreement on how they will set up the new change.