3UP: Why the National League must get a third promotion spot

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You only have to look back to last season – when York City finished second with a staggering 96 points – to understand why the National League deserves a third promotion spot into the EFL.

The Minstermen delivered a superb campaign but saw all that work go unrewarded, with just a single automatic promotion place on offer and the rest left to the chaos of the play-offs.

It’s clear to anyone watching that the standard of non-league football has risen dramatically since the introduction of two promotion places back in the 2002–03 season.

That’s why the “3UP” petition calls on the EFL to grant a third automatic promotion place from the National League – not just because it’s fair, but because it strengthens the game from the bottom up.

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The case in brief

National League runners-up often finish with 90+ points across 46 games, yet remain in limbo and must survive the lottery of playoffs instead of being rewarded.

Meanwhile, the EFL continues to relegate only two clubs from League Two, which shields under-performing clubs while blocking ambitious National League teams from moving up.

This is not radical reform – it’s simply aligning the number of promotion places in the National League with the three automatic spots in each EFL division.

Why it matters

• It gives clubs who earn success on the pitch a clear, fair path upwards – not just hope.

• It adds fresh competition to League Two, revitalising the pyramid and offering more turnover.

• It acknowledges that ambition, infrastructure and performance deserve reward.

• It strengthens integrity: if you finish second with nearly 100 points and still miss out, supporters, players and staff understandably feel the system undermines merit.

What the National League is asking

The National League urge the EFL to formally add “3UP” to the agenda, allow its member clubs to debate the change and vote on it, so that the pyramid works equitably from the bottom up.

If you believe that performance should be rewarded and the pyramid system should give opportunity rather than block it, you can sign the petition here.

Help amplify the call for fairness in English football

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READ MORE: National League ramp up pressure on EFL over third promotion spot saga