National League

Also known as Conference National, Conference Premier, Vanarama National League, Alliance Premier League, Conference

association football division in England

Key facts

Founded: 1979 ; 47 years ago ( 1979 ) (as Alliance Premier League)
Country: England
Level on pyramid: 5, Step 1 ( National League System )
Promotion to: EFL League Two
Relegation to: National League North National League South
Domestic cups: FA Cup FA Trophy
League cup: National League Cup
International cup: Europa League (via FA Cup )
Current champions: York City (1st title) , ( 2025–26 )
Most championships: Barnet (4 titles)
Broadcaster s: DAZN
Sponsor s: Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Article

The National League is a professional association football league in England. The National League is the first division of the National Leagues and step 1 of the National League System and fifth-highest tier overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League and the EFL leagues, and is contested by 24 clubs. Through the National League, clubs get promoted to the EFL League Two, one of the divisions of the English Football League. Formerly the Conference National, the league was renamed the National League from the 2015–16 season.

Former English Football League clubs that currently compete in the National League include: Forest Green Rovers, Barrow, Carlisle United, Harrogate Town, Yeovil Town, Hartlepool United, Southend United, Scunthorpe United, Boston United, Sutton United, Kidderminster Harriers and Aldershot Town.