National League to delay all kick-off times in EFL promotion protest

Since 2003, only two teams have been promoted from the National League to League Two each season, the lowest number of teams promoted each season in the top five leagues in England. National League fans and clubs are demanding a reformed promotion system with a proposal of three teams being promoted and three relegated per season.

Currently, with just two teams promoted a season and four relegated, the difficulty of achieving promotion from the National League appears unfair compared to other divisions. It is therefore not a surprise that 93% of football fans from across all divisions of professional football agree that a three up, three down system should be implemented.

Protest has marked the start of the 2025-26 National League season with the 3UP campaign, which will see all twelve 15:00pm kick-offs intentionally delayed by 3 minutes on Saturday 15 November. This is an unprecedented measure in response to the English Football League’s unchanged stance and continued refusal to formally consult its 72 member clubs across the football pyramid on the issue.

Any notable change in the structure of the football league system will have consequences throughout all leagues

Despite EFL chair Rick Parry suggesting that 3UP is a “perfectly logical argument”, the EFL cited concerns over “competitive balance” across all leagues as a reason for delaying action regarding the 3Up campaign. Football supporters far and wide would likely argue this is just another excuse for preventing equity for National League clubs.

National League chair Jack Pearce argues that a 3UP system would lead to “increased financial stability…, a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from the EFL League Two to ‘bounce back’”.

These factors would provide fruitful financial benefits to clubs, which is the main driver in their support for this movement. As a result, this will be a welcome change to financially struggling clubs such as Morecambe F.C. who were forced to close their academy and endure a lengthy transfer embargo until recently. The greater possibility of a return to the football league will surely be cherished by Morecambe fans and other National League supporters alike.

Any notable change in the structure of the football league system will have consequences throughout all leagues. For example, if the change is implemented, then three rather than two League Two teams will be relegated, applying more pressure to the lower end of the EFL. For many cash-strapped clubs in the lower two divisions, this may make their status as part of the Football League seem even more volatile and uncertain.

Given their current rhetoric, it is unlikely that the EFL will accept the terms of the 3UP movement

For any wholesale structural change like this, something we haven’t seen since 2003, it is sure to have both positive and negative repercussions for all teams in English Football. Given their current rhetoric, it is unlikely that the EFL will accept the terms of the 3UP movement. For the EFL to agree to implement the change, the implications for all of its members as well as for clubs below the English Football League will need to be considered.