National League North: Competitive Season Unfolds in English Football’s Sixth Tier

Introduction: The Significance of National League North

The National League North represents a crucial tier in English football’s pyramid system, serving as the sixth level of competition and offering clubs a pathway to professional football. Officially known as the Enterprise National League North for sponsorship reasons, this professional association football league is the second division of the National Leagues and step 2 of the NLS. For the 2024-25 season, the National League North consists of 24 teams, all vying for promotion to the National League or fighting to avoid relegation to Step 3 leagues.

Current Season Structure and Competition Format

The 2024-25 National League North began on Saturday, August 10 and will conclude its regular season on Monday, May 5, followed by play-offs across the rest of May 2025. The promotion structure rewards success, with the champions automatically promoted to the National League, whilst a second promotion place goes to the winners of play-offs involving teams finishing in second to seventh place. Meanwhile, the three bottom clubs are relegated to Step 3 leagues.

New Teams and Notable Developments

The 2024-25 season welcomed several new clubs to the competition. Radcliffe entered following their promotion as Champions from the Northern Premier League Premier Division after finishing with 87 points, whilst Marine won the play-off final, and Needham Market and Leamington were promoted from the Southern League Premier Division Central. Among relegated teams, Kidderminster Harriers ended their one-year stay in tier five and returned to the National League North.

Broadcasting and Accessibility

The 2024-25 National League North is exclusively on DAZN, with the sixth tier of English football available to enjoy around the world in more than 200 territories and markets. This expanded coverage has increased the league’s visibility and allowed fans globally to follow their favourite clubs throughout the season.

Conclusion: A Competitive Landscape

The National League North continues to be a fiercely competitive division where ambitions run high and every match carries significant importance. With promotion offering a route towards professional football’s higher echelons and relegation threatening clubs’ non-league status, the stakes remain high for all 24 participating teams. As the season progresses, fans can expect dramatic encounters, surprise results, and compelling storylines that make this level of English football essential viewing for those who appreciate the grassroots passion of the game.