The English Football Pyramid - Sprint Management Global

The English Football Pyramid system can be confusing at first!

With terms like Levels, Steps, National League, Non-League, and the National League System (NLS), it takes some effort to wrap your head around it. However, once you do, you’ll see just how brilliant the system truly is. It allows a team in a County League at Level 11 (Step 7) to rise all the way to the Premier League (Level 1) through promotion and relegation.

What Are Levels in the Football Pyramid?

The Football Pyramid consists of 11 levels:

Levels 1-4 encompass the professional game. These include:

Level 1: Premier League
Level 2: EFL Championship
Level 3: EFL League 1
Level 4: EFL League 2

Levels 5 and below are outside the jurisdiction of the Premier League and EFL, collectively known as non-league football.

It’s at the non-league level where the Step System comes into play, further structuring the lower divisions.

What Are Steps in the Football Pyramid?

The Step System starts after Level 4, marking the beginning of non-league football. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: National League (equivalent to Level 5 in the pyramid).
Example: Forest Green Rovers, playing in the National League, are at Level 5 in the pyramid and Step 1 in non-league football.

Non-league football features a diverse mix of professional, semi-professional, and highly competitive amateur clubs. These teams, no matter how small, have the opportunity to climb the pyramid. For instance, a club like Denton Town, playing in the Cheshire Football League Premier Division, could theoretically rise to the Premier League with enough success.

The English Football Pyramid – How It Looks

The Pyramid system is structured to connect every club, from the grassroots to the top flight:

Level 1: Premier League

Level 2: EFL Championship

Level 3: EFL League One

Level 4: EFL League Two

Level 5, Step 1: National League

Level 6 / Step 2: National League North / National League South

Level 7 / Step 3:

Northern Premier League Premier Division
Southern League Premier Division Central
Southern League Premier Division South
Isthmian League Premier Division

Level 8 / Step 4:

Northern Premier League Division One East
Northern Premier League Division One West
Northern Premier League Division One Midlands (NEW)
Southern League Division One Central
Southern League Division One South
Isthmian League Division One North
Isthmian League Division One South Central
Isthmian League Division One East

Level 9 / Step 5:

Level 10 / Step 6:

Combined Counties League Division One
Eastern Counties League Division One North
Eastern Counties League Division One South
Hellenic League Division One
Midland Football League Division One
North West Counties League First Division North
North West Counties League First Division South

Northern Counties East League Division One
Northern League Division Two
South West Peninsula League Premier Division East
South West Peninsula League Premier Division West
Southern Combination Football League Division One
Southern Counties East League Division One
Spartan South Midlands League Division One
United Counties League Division One
Wessex League Division One
Western League Division One

Each league is interlinked through promotion and relegation, making it one of the most dynamic and competitive football systems in the world.