An update has been given on the proposal for 3 up 3 down between the National League and EFL ahead of the 2025/26 season.
They want to increase promotion spots from two to three between the National League and EFL League Two, with it gaining official support from the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) after a vote was held at its AGM this week.
The FSA will now put this took the Football Association and the English Football League, and encourage support among its fan groups.
Now a statement on this has emerged from the National League, talking about the results of the survey, key reasons behind it, and the reaction it has got from clubs, fans, media, and politicians.
š£ļø āWe will now work to lobby for change to the promotion and relegation structure between the EFL and National Leagueā
An important moment for #3UP šŖ
š https://t.co/fRQO0hQbqq https://t.co/7H2DIhHISH
ā The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) June 18, 2025
Vital support from @WeAreTheFSA š«”
The Football Supporters’ Association have joined the National League’s call for 3UP š¢
Here’s the very latest on the campaign āļø
ā The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) June 18, 2025
STATEMENT:
The National League welcomes the official backing of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) for its 3UP Campaign, following a vote at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last weekend.
The motion states that the FSA should incorporate 3UP into its official policy and, āto support the growing campaign for three promotion and relegation places between the National League and EFLās League Two.ā
In practice this means, the FSA will now formally discuss and advocate on the issue with both The Football Association and the English Football League, during their regular āstructured dialogueā sessions throughout the year.
The FSA will also encourage support from its fan groups in its League One, League Two and National League networks.
Following the launch of the 3UP Campaign earlier this year, the FSA conducted a poll of its members who support clubs throughout the football pyramid. In total, 1,980 fans in total were surveyed and returned the following results:
– 93% supported the idea of 3UP
– 83% of EFL fans surveyed backed the proposal
– The most common reason for change was that it would make the system fairer (91%)
– And just over 90% believe it would enhance the attractiveness of the sporting Pyramid
Since its launch in February, the campaign has garnered widespread support from clubs and fans alike across the English football landscape. It has been debated in the media and a number of politicians across all parties have stated their support for the campaign.
The 3UP campaign aims to increase the number of promotion spots from two to three, aligning the National League with the high echelons the football Pyramid.
Under the existing structure, only the National League champions earn automatic promotion, with the second to seventh-place teams battling it out through play-off matches for the other slot.
The National League has proposed that three teams be promoted to EFL League Two, as soon as is logistically possible. It feels that this would create a more fluid football pyramid and offer greater opportunities for clubs to progress based on merit. It also provides more opportunity for relegated clubs to return to the EFL.
The EFL alone has the ability to facilitate this change, and the National League has been in regular dialogue with them this year asking them to reconsider their current position and advance the process.
In the first instance, we would like to see the matter formally debated by and then voted upon by EFL clubs.
Itās been over 20 years since the National League gained a second promotion place back in 2003 with over 32 current EFL clubs having spent time in the National League in the past including clubs like Luton Town who were the first club to go from the National League to the Premier League.
In fact, since automatic promotion began from the National League to the EFL, none of the 57 teams promoted from the National League have ever suffered relegation the following season, a record added to by the success of both Chesterfield and Bromley this season.
National League Chair, Jack Pearce MBE said: āWe welcome the new that the FSA are going to officially back the campaign and look forward to working with them on this issue in the near future.
“We have always enjoyed a collaborative and constructive relationship with the FSA, as we try to with all our football partners ā including the EFL.
āAt our own recent AGM, we suggested ideas and encouraged proposals for a fan-focused element to the 3UP Campaign at the start of the next season. So naturally, we will include the FSA in any such plans moving forward.
āAs Iāve said before, 3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to ābounce backā.
“Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there seems to be so much support from EFL fans on the issue.ā
The 3UP Motion was proposed by Matthew Kempson of the View from the Allotment End fanzine and seconded by Richard Tomkins from the Hereford United Supportersā Trust. It was passed on Saturday 14 June at the FSA AGM in Manchester.
An FSA spokesman said: āAs the national democratic body that represents football supporters in England and Wales, FSA policy is set by our members.
“They have spoken on the issue of the 3UP campaign, giving it overwhelming support, and we will now work with the game’s stakeholders, as well as our member groups, to lobby for change to the promotion and relegation structure between the EFL and National League.ā
HAVE YOUR SAY –
Are you for or against this proposal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @fan_banter
This is how fans reacted as an updated is given on the 3 up 3 down proposal between the National League and EFL ahead of the 2025/26 season…
@steven_par66956: The league needs the same ffp rules as league 2.
@peterbaileytrfc: On what basis do you support it. Itās not a level playing field when people can pump money in at NL level without the same financial constraints EFL clubs operate under. Turkeys wouldnāt vote for Xmas
@SnapskiKnee: Makes absolutely no difference if the EFL doesnāt want it. Football is no longer about what fans want
@simonstuddymai2: #putfootballfirst #3up surely now’s the time.
@ChristofFurness: Seen a lot on #3up the only way to proceed with the football structure would be to join League 2 and NL together and create L2 North and L2 South and then have create some sort of playoff structure between the newly created leagues and NLN and NLS this would be a positive move
Mick Howard: Should happened years ago. Good luck to all the teams for next season. KTF from an Oldham fan.
Colin Redman: But when is the EFL going to discuss and/or vote on the proposal? Ultimately that’s the only body that can enact any change.
John Goulding: Like MPs voting to cut their expenses. Turkeys voting for Christmas. Got to be the hardest league to get promoted fromā¦.
Jason Deasy: When did it change to 4 up 4 down between league1 and league 2. All other leagues is 3 up 3 down š¤·āāļø
Anthony Lloyd: It will not be ratified by the old toss pots who run football nor will any League 2 team….throw them out and let the supposed government task force implement this ….so many excuses from EFL board…… as a Southend fan the national league is the best …hard to get out of but if you look how many ex EFL in it now why can’t they expand it….
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