There is only one route into the English Football League (EFL) and that is through the National League.
The fifth tier of football can be a cruel and unforgiving place but the light at the end of the tunnel is promotion to League Two. A place inside the legendary '92 Club' is as prestigious as it is hard to come by in National League residents.
The playing system works a little differently in the National League than in the EFL, making it more competitive and hard-fought.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 National League play-offs.
Although there are 24 teams in the National League, only one side gets automatic promotion to the EFL. It is no surprise that they are the top team at the end of the 46-game season.
The six teams that finish below the champions (second to seventh place) compete in the play-offs. There are two first 'quarter-finals' where the fourth place takes on the seventh place and the fifth where it clashes with the sixth place. These games are the only games that will be played in the field of the team that finished higher in the regular season.
The winners of those two teams will be able to enter the semi-finals of the play-off where the fourth vs seventh winner takes the team that finished in second place in the regular season and the fifth vs sixth place team plays against the team that finished in third place in the National. League.
Once again, the teams that finished top of the division and the semi-finalists in the final at Wembley Stadium. The winner of the showpiece event receives promotion to League Two for the following campaign.
If any game in the National League play-offs ends in a tie, extra time and penalties will be used to determine the winner.
Dates are yet to be confirmed for the National League play-offs but they will take place shortly after the final round of matches on 5 May 2025.
Last term, the play-off final took place approximately two weeks after the end of the National League season.
Both Green Forest again Sutton United they will be desperate to return to League Two after being relegated to the National League in 2023/24. Similarly, Barnett, Altrincham again City of Halifax all are determined to follow up their play-off run last season with another strong campaign.
Solihull Moors lost to Bromley in the play-off final last season and could progress this year, while Southend United they will be desperate for a return to the EFL as they were relegated from League Two in 2020/21.
Promotion to League Two has huge financial benefits for clubs as they can now earn basic prize money in the EFL. They also receive a solidarity fee from the Premier League worth around £1m.
Once you reach the EFL, there is an increase in TV revenue and matchday ticket sales.
In the past 23 National League games (including before the competition was renamed in 2016), only one team has won the final more than once: Grimsby Town. They have won twice, most recently in 2022.
Other major clubs who have won the National League final include Notts County, Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster Rovers.
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