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Growing list of clubs turn down invitation to play in the 2026/27 National League Cup

A growing list of clubs turn down the invitation to play in the 2026/27 National League Cup, continuing the boycott from last season.

The National League Cup will return for the new campaign, despite low attendances, boycotts and backlash.

The competition between National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides was introduced, the controversial competition launched much to everyone’s surprise, featuring 32 teams (16 National League, 16 Premier League 2 U21).

It looks to be another year of seeing a number of teams deciding not to take part. Now with the league fixtures due to be released for the 2026/27 season, clubs are releasing statements confirming whether they will take part or decline…

YEOVIL STATEMENT:

Yeovil Town Football Club can confirm that we have informed the National League of our decision to decline an invitation to participate in the National League Cup for the 2026/27 season.

Following careful consideration, we believe that, given the demands of an already challenging fixture schedule, our priority must remain our National League campaign, alongside the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

With ambitious objectives for the season ahead, we feel it is important to focus our playing squad and resources on the competitions that are essential to achieving those aims.

We appreciate the work undertaken by both the National League and the Premier League in developing this opportunity for member clubs and wish all participating clubs every success in the competition next season.

FOREST GREEN STATEMENT:

FGR have today confirmed to the National League that we will not be taking part in the National League Cup this season.

After careful consideration, the club feels our focus and resources are best directed towards our objectives in the National League, FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The significant operational costs involved, alongside an already packed fixture schedule, were key factors in reaching this decision.

We look forward to a busy and exciting season ahead, and thank you for your continued support. 💚

The club said in a statement: “Barrow AFC Confirm Decision Not to Enter National League Cup

“Barrow AFC can confirm that the Club has today formally notified the National League of its intention not to enter the National League Cup for the 2026/27 season.

“The decision has been reached following careful consideration of all factors. As preparations continue for the forthcoming campaign, the Club believes its focus and resources are best directed towards competing as strongly as possible in the National League, FA Cup and FA Trophy, competitions which remain central to Barrow AFC’s objectives for the season ahead.

“Significant travel and operational costs associated with participation in the National League Cup, coupled with historically low attendances and limited financial return during the early stages of the competition, have been important factors in the Club’s decision-making process.

“Whilst the prize fund available in the latter rounds is recognised, the Club believes that its resources are best focused on achieving its objectives within the National League and the major knockout competitions during the 2026/27 season.”

Eastleigh said in a statement later that day: “Eastleigh Football Club would like to confirm that the club will not be competing in The National League Cup competition.

“Following yesterday’s announcement by the National League regarding the new National League Cup competition incorporating the Premier League U21 teams, Eastleigh Football Club can confirm for our fans that whilst we qualified for the competition we, like numerous other National league teams, declined to enter the competition.

“Our rational for this decision was based on numerous factors some of which we have listed below:

“National League teams currently receive no compensation or protection for our young players, some of whom would feature in this competition. Premier League and EFL clubs simply take these players that have often had many years development at our clubs, something they cannot do to each other. Providing these clubs with competitive games to then play these players or showcase more of them to be taken under these circumstances is completely illogical.

“The financial reward for playing in the competition is negligible and is likely to cost the club some much-needed funds.

“We don’t believe there is a huge demand for the competition from our supporters or any other National League club.

“The fixtures are to be played between October and April which is a time in the season where the club would hope to be competing in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and mounting a challenge for the Play-offs/Promotion and to add more fixtures to this already busy schedule would be counter productive.

“To fulfil these extra fixtures, the club would need to increase the size of its first team squad which would come at considerable cost to cover games that would provide no revenue to support this.

“National League clubs were not consulted before the decision had been made by the National League in the same way that we were not involved in the removal of FA Cup replays recently. Both of these decisions have potentially huge financial implications for National League clubs and also for our supporters.

“A number of other clubs have made the decision to not participate. If we truly value our football pyramid, which is often held up as something we should be proud of and unique then it is incumbent on the clubs to push back against developments that devalue our national sport something which we believe this cup competition does.

“Lower league football provides huge enjoyment all over the country for thousands of fans, is a large employer, and providing vital experience along the way to thousands of people connected to the game many of whom subsequently achieve well paid, hugely rewarding jobs higher up the football pyramid.

“Our clubs are being under-valued, and far too many have not survived in the game when there is more money than ever flowing into it. This needs addressing and this competition increases the huge divide which
currently exists.

“This competition which we feel benefits the richest in the game at the expense of the poorest, many of whom are fighting to survive so on balance we feel the right decision for clubs and fans at this level is to withdraw from the competition.”

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