English Football League Pyramid System

The English Football League System is also known as the English Football Pyramid is a hierarchical system of professional and semi-professional football leagues in England bound together by a system of promotion, delegation and two national football competitions. The 92 clubs from the top four tiers of League Football   1. Premier League 2. Championship 3. League One and 4. League Two compete in the Football League Cup and FA cup. The 640 teams (in 2022-23) from the National League System (Non-league Football) stretch  from the 5th to 11th levels and compete in the FA cup.   The National League System (TheFA) is comprised of 57 leagues featuring a total of 84 divisions across England, providing a feeder system through to the EFL. Similar to the levels above, that non-league top tier league, The Premier League, Championship, League One, League two and the top tier league of non-league football – the National League – contain one division each, are nationwide in scope and are full-time professional leagues. Note that the number of clubs in a league can vary from year to year due to a variety of factors, such as clubs joining or leaving the league, merging with other clubs, or ceasing operations altogether.

William McGregor is widely regarded as the originator of contemporary football and the initiator of the English Football League. He is credited with establishing the first football league competition, where teams competed in both home and away fixtures arranged season by season. McGregor’s efforts led to the formation of a league comprising 12 of the most notable clubs in the country in 1888, which can be found on this page: Football League Club’s Divisional Records from 1888-89 to today.

The English Football League system is designed to allow clubs to progress up the pyramid as they become more successful and increase their fan base, revenue and infrastructure. Conversely, clubs can also be relegated down the pyramid if they perform poorly, leading to a constant turnover of teams and a competitive system that is unique to English football.

At the top of the pyramid is the Premier League, which consists of 20 clubs and is widely regarded as one of the best football leagues in the world. The Premier League is the most-watched sports league in the world and attracts some of the best players from around the globe.

Beneath the Premier League is the English Football League (EFL), which is made up of three divisions: the Championship, League One, and League Two. The Championship is the second-highest division in the pyramid and is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive leagues in the world. It consists of 24 teams and is known for its intense promotion and relegation battles.

League One and League Two are the third and fourth tiers of the pyramid, respectively, and consist of 24 teams each. These leagues are primarily made up of smaller clubs and often provide a stepping stone for players and managers looking to progress to higher levels.

Beneath the EFL are a number of semi-professional leagues, including the National League, National League North, and National League South. These leagues consist of a mixture of semi-professional and amateur clubs and provide a platform for young players and clubs to develop their skills and gain valuable experience.

At the bottom of the pyramid are the grassroots leagues, which consist of local leagues and clubs that are often run by volunteers. These leagues provide an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to play football and enjoy the sport at a community level.

The English football league pyramid is a unique and exciting system that has produced some of the world’s best players and most competitive leagues. It allows clubs to progress and compete at higher levels as they grow, while also providing opportunities for grassroots football to flourish. Whether you are a fan of the Premier League or a local amateur team, there is something for everyone in the English football league pyramid.