Learn How the English Football Pyramid System Works

From the Premier League to Non-League

The English football pyramid is a hierarchical system of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in England. It comprises 24 tiers, from the Premier League at the top to Step 11 of the National League System at the bottom. The system is designed to allow clubs to progress through the leagues based on their performance, with promotion and relegation between the tiers.

The Structure of the Pyramid

The pyramid is divided into four levels:

• The Premier League: The top tier of English football, consisting of 20 clubs.
• The English Football League (EFL): Three divisions (Championship, League One, and League Two) below the Premier League, consisting of 72 clubs.
• The National League: Five levels (National League, National League North, National League South, National League Premier Division, and National League Division One) below the EFL, consisting of 80 clubs.
• The Regional Leagues: Eleven levels (Steps 1-11) below the National League, consisting of over 7,000 clubs.

Promotion and Relegation

Clubs can be promoted or relegated between the tiers based on their performance in league matches. The top clubs in each division are promoted to the division above, while the bottom clubs are relegated to the division below. This system allows clubs to move up or down the pyramid based on their competitiveness and success on the pitch.