The English football league system, often referred to as the "football pyramid," is a hierarchical structure that connects various leagues through promotion and relegation. This system allows clubs, regardless of their size, to progress to higher levels based on their performance. Both men's and women's football in England operate within this pyramid structure, though there are distinct differences between the two.
Men's Football Pyramid: Structure & Movement
Premier League (Level 1)
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The top 20 teams compete for the league title.
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The top 4 teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
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The bottom 3 teams are relegated to the Championship.
English Football League (EFL) (Levels 2–4)
Championship (Level 2)
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Top 2 teams are promoted to the Premier League.
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Teams finishing 3rd–6th enter the playoffs, with the playoff winner also being promoted.
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The bottom 3 teams are relegated to League One.
League One (Level 3)
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The top 2 teams are promoted to the Championship.
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Teams finishing 3rd–6th enter the playoffs, with the playoff winner also being promoted.
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The bottom 4 teams are relegated to League Two.
League Two (Level 4)
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The top 3 teams are promoted to League One automatically.
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Teams finishing 4th–7th enter the playoffs, with the playoff winner also getting promoted.
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Bottom 2 teams are relegated to the National League.
National League System (Levels 5–10)
National League (Level 5)
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The champion is promoted to League Two automatically.
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Teams finishing 2nd–7th enter the playoffs, with the playoff winner also getting promoted.
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The bottom 4 teams are relegated to National League North/South.
National League North & South (Level 6)
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Champions of each division are promoted automatically to the National League.
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2nd–7th place teams enter playoffs, with one winner from each division also earning promotion.
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The bottom 4 teams in each division are relegated to a lower regional league.
Below this, the football pyramid continues down through regional and county leagues, with promotion and relegation continuing at each level.
Women's Football Pyramid: Structure & Movement
Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) (Level 1)
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Top team wins the league and qualifies for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
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The bottom team is relegated to the Women’s Championship.
Women’s Championship (Level 2)
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The League winner is promoted to the WSL (subject to meeting licensing criteria).
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Bottom team is relegated to the National League (Tier 3).
Women’s National League Premier Divisions (Level 3)
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Northern and Southern Premier Division winners enter a playoff to decide who is promoted to the Championship.
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The bottom teams are relegated to the Division One leagues (Level 4).
Women’s National League Division One (Level 4)
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Winners of Division One North, Midlands, South East, and South West are promoted to Level 3.
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The bottom teams are relegated to regional leagues.
The lower levels consist of various regional leagues, with promotion and relegation continuing throughout the system.
How Promotion & Relegation Works
Promotion and relegation are key aspects of the English football system. Teams move up or down based on their league position at the end of each season.
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Promotion: The top teams in a division move up to a higher league.
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Relegation: The bottom teams drop down to a lower league.
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Playoffs: Some leagues use playoffs for teams just outside the automatic promotion places. The winner earns a promotion.
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Licensing & Infrastructure: In the WSL and EFL, clubs must meet certain stadium, financial, and infrastructure criteria to be promoted.
This dynamic structure ensures a competitive environment where clubs can aspire to climb to higher levels based on merit. The playoff system, particularly in the EFL, adds an exciting knockout stage that often leads to dramatic moments at Wembley Stadium.
The English football pyramid is one of the most exciting and competitive structures in world football. Its system of promotion and relegation allows clubs of all sizes to dream of reaching the highest levels of the game. While the men's and women's pyramids differ in structure, both continue to grow, ensuring opportunities for clubs and players to progress.
