Results have been revealed with fans being surveyed on the 3 up 3 down proposal between National League and League Two.
A survey by the Football Supporters’ Association showing 93% of fans support a “three up, three down” promotion and relegation system in English football, with 87% wanting it implemented for the 2025/2026 season.
“Three up, three down” means three teams would be promoted from the National League to League Two, and three relegated from League Two to the National League, something that has been long debated over.
A survey conducted by @WeAreTheFSA has shown overwhelming support for three up, three down 🗣️
93% of fans surveyed agree in principle to three up, three down with 87% surveyed believing it should be in place for the 2025/2026 season 👇#3UP | #PutFootballFirst
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) March 13, 2025
Nine out of ten fans back the principle of increasing the promotion and relegation spaces between the EFL and the National League from two to three, according to a new FSA survey.https://t.co/TNPgR9fAw5
— The FSA (@WeAreTheFSA) March 13, 2025
PER THE NATIONAL LEAGUE AND THE FSA:
The Football Supporters Association (FSA) has today published the results of its survey into three up, three down between the National League and EFL League Two.
A total of 1,980 fans responded to the survey and stated which league their club plays in.
Results from the survey found fans of all levels overwhelmingly support the principle of three up, three down between the National League and EFL League Two with most indicating they believe it would enhance the football pyramid.
– 93% of fans agree in principle to three up, three down.
– 87% of fans also believe three up, three down should be in place for the 2025/2026 season (next season).
– 90% of fans believe three up, three down would enhance the sporting attractiveness of the pyramid.
– 77% of fans who support an EFL League Two club support three up, three down.
– 83% of fans who support an EFL club support three up, three down.
Around this time last month, the National League launched its 3UP campaign – with the backing of all 72 of its Member Clubs – requesting a vote by EFL clubs to introduce an additional promotion place from the National League into EFL League Two.
Gareth Ainsworth brings up Wrexham as he says NO to the National League’s 3 up 3 down plans
National League CEO Mark Ives said: “We welcomed the FSA conducting this survey and now note the fans’ opinions with interest.
“We believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game. It’s highly encouraging to see that fans of all divisions appear to feel the same – we have always believed that to be the case.
We also think that 3UP ties directly into the government’s overall objectives for football and therefore should be as high on the game’s agenda as anything else this year – and not linked to wider regulatory matters that could potentially take years to conclude.
“We are lucky to have one of the best domestic football structures in the world but hopefully there is now the opportunity to make it even fairer by introducing 3UP.”
Fans of Premier League or EFL clubs
– 86% of fans surveyed who support a Premier League or EFL club support three up, three down.
– 83% of fans surveyed who support an EFL club support three up, three down.
Timings
– 87% of fans surveyed believe three up, three down should be in place for next season.
– 78% of fans surveyed who support a Premier League or EFL club think the change should be made immediately.
Social media users reacted as results are revealed with fans surveyed on the 3 up 3 down proposal between the National League and League Two…
@jane36london: More fluid promotion and relegation means healthier and more competitive leagues.
@happyangler123: Long over due
@Lancsiron: I am not for it tbh unless it becomes a fifth division. I also can’t see @EFL clubs voting for it being like turkeys voting for Christmas…
@IJD1599180: Although it’s great to see fans support it..I get a bad feeling clubs themselves won’t support it.. Clubs in the NL will loose out which means the genuine fans will.. hope I’m wrong
@fcislocheng: They should be made to standardise the National League play-offs as a condition. It would be unjustifiable to relegate 3rd from bottom of the Football League in exchange for the 8th placed team in the National League winning the ‘eliminators’. Most of the time the additional club being promoted would end up being a former Football League club anyway. It would mean relegation from League 2 wouldn’t feel as much like being thrown into the abyss.
@MartinMoore121: Such a yawning gap between PL/Championship – I know as a Saints fan – but invariably teams promoted are often relegated next season.
@Richard_Gudgeon: I support the 3UP but the NL must adopt the financial structure and oversight that exists in the FL, otherwise they are simply buying their way into the FL
@redsince57: Better to make all pro leagues, and first 2 or 3 semi pro leagues, that aren’t geographically divided, into 18 TEAM leagues. With #3UP across the board. Helps with fixture congestion, but recognise ££s comes into play.
@ChrisGilbertson: It’s obvious to any sensible fan that it should be 3Up / 3 down from L2 to the National League. It’s not dissimilar to the ludicrous situation Fulham women find themselves in with their league only having one promotion spot.
Anthony Platt: A positive step inho. There are now a considerable amount of clubs in the National League with resources and fan bases greater than or equal to the majority of clubs in the second division of the EFL. It makes sense but I have my doubts it will happen anytime soon. Hopefully I will be proved wrong. 😄
Trevor Millward: Bout time 👍
Alan Green: Unfortunately fans’ opinions are largely ignored
You must be logged in to post a comment Login