National League Playoff Battle Heats Up: Which Teams Will Fight for the 2025-26 Championship?

The sole pathway to the English Football League (EFL) runs through the National League.

England's fifth division can be a harsh and merciless environment, yet the prize at journey's end is advancement to League Two. Earning membership in the coveted '92 Club' is both prestigious and challenging for National League clubs, with just two positions available annually.

The National League's playoff structure also varies from the EFL's format, introducing additional uncertainty and intensifying the promotion battle.

Here's your complete guide to the 2026 National League playoffs.

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How do the National League Playoffs Work?

Although the National League contains 24 clubs, just one secures direct promotion to the EFL—the team finishing first after 46 matches.

Clubs placing second through seventh qualify for the playoffs. Fourth hosts seventh while fifth meets sixth in single-match quarterfinals, with home field advantage awarded to the superior-ranked team.

Victors then advance to the semifinals, where second plays the fourth vs. seventh winner and third faces the fifth vs. sixth winner—once more in one-leg fixtures hosted by the higher finisher.

The semifinal champions clash in the final at Wembley Stadium, with the winner securing the second promotion place to League Two. All tied matches are decided through extra time and penalty kicks.

When are the 2025–26 National League Playoffs?

Currently, the precise dates for the 2026 National League playoffs remain unconfirmed.

The standard National League campaign is slated to end on April 25, 2026, with the playoff final scheduled for Wembley Stadium on either Saturday, May 9 or Sunday, May 10.

We can thus infer that the quarterfinals and semifinals will occur between these dates, presumably in early May.

How Much is Winning the National League Playoff Final Worth?

Advancement to League Two brings substantial financial benefits. Teams gain access to fundamental EFL prize funds and receive a Premier League solidarity payment valued at roughly £1 million ($1.35 million).

EFL membership also generally provides increased television revenue and gate receipts, with higher attendance figures often accompanying promotion.

Who Are in Contention for the 2025–26 National League Playoffs?

At this point in the season, the battle for the 2025–26 National League playoffs remains completely open.

With just one direct promotion berth available, a significant portion of the league usually stays competitive for playoff positions deep into the campaign's final stages.

Spearheading the charge around the Christmas period are Rochdale, Forest Green Rovers and York City, who are practically level at the summit—though Rochdale possesses matches in hand.

Realistically, though, nearly any club in the division's upper half—and possibly even those slightly below—continues competing. A brief winning streak, combined with favorable results elsewhere, can rapidly elevate a team into playoff contention.

*National League table correct as of 23-12-25.

Who Has the Best National League Playoffs Record?

Throughout 24 National League playoffs—including campaigns before the competition's 2016 rebrand—only one club has captured the final multiple times: Grimsby Town. The Mariners have claimed the trophy twice, last achieving victory in 2022.

The latest champions were Oldham Athletic, who defeated Southend United 3–2 in a thrilling final that extended to extra time.

Several prominent clubs have also achieved success through the National League playoffs, including Notts County, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster Rovers.