The English football league system is like a giant pyramid for men's football clubs in England. It has many different leagues and divisions, all connected. This list shows clubs from the very top, like the Premier League, all the way down to Level 10. Some clubs from outside England also play in this system, and they are marked so you can spot them!
Understanding the Leagues
The English football pyramid has many levels. The higher the level, the more important the league. Here are the main leagues and their levels for the 2025–26 season:
- Premier League (Level 1) - This is the top league!
- English Football League (EFL) - These are the next three levels:
- Championship (Level 2)
- League One (Level 3)
- League Two (Level 4)
- National League (Level 5/Step 1) - This is the highest non-league division.
- National League North / South (Level 6/Step 2) - Two leagues, one for the north and one for the south.
- Isthmian League Premier (Level 7/Step 3) and its lower divisions (Level 8/Step 4)
- Northern Premier League Premier (Level 7/Step 3) and its lower divisions (Level 8/Step 4)
- Southern Football League Premier Central / Premier South (Level 7/Step 3) and its lower divisions (Level 8/Step 4)
Below these are the Feeder Leagues, which help teams move up the pyramid:
- Combined Counties Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Eastern Counties Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Essex Senior Football League (Level 9/Step 5 only)
- Hellenic Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Midland Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- North West Counties Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Northern Counties East Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Northern Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Southern Combination Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Southern Counties East Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- South West Peninsula League (Level 10/Step 6 only)
- Spartan South Midlands Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- United Counties League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Wessex Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
- Western Football League (Levels 9/Step 5 and 10/Step 6)
Below Level 10, there are even more local leagues, going all the way down to Level 20!
Alphabetical List of Clubs
This section shows some of the many football clubs in the English league system for the 2025–26 season. The "Lvl" column tells you their current league level.
Key to Changes
This table explains what the different colours mean in the "Change from 2024–25" column:
Key to divisional changes
| New club - A brand new team joining the league. |
| Club was promoted to a higher level - They moved up! |
| Club was transferred between divisions at the same level - They moved sideways to a different league at the same level. |
| Club resigned or was demoted to a lower level - They chose to leave or were moved down. |
| Club was relegated to a lower level - They moved down a league. |
A
B
C
Notes:
(WE) Welsh club playing in the English football system.
D
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Dagenham & Redbridge |
National League South |
6 |
Daggers |
From National League |
| Darlington |
National League North |
6 |
Quakers |
| Derby County |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Rams |
| Doncaster Rovers |
EFL League One |
3 |
Vikings |
From EFL League Two |
| Dover Athletic |
National League South |
6 |
Whites |
| Dulwich Hamlet |
Isthmian League Premier Division |
7 |
Hamlet |
E
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Eastbourne Borough |
National League South |
6 |
Sports |
| Eastleigh |
National League |
5 |
Spitfires |
| Ebbsfleet United |
National League South |
6 |
Fleet |
From National League |
| Enfield Town |
National League South |
6 |
Towners |
| Everton |
Premier League |
1 |
Toffees |
| Exeter City |
EFL League One |
3 |
Grecians |
F
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| F.C. Halifax Town |
National League |
5 |
Shaymen |
| F.C. Isle of Man (IM) |
North West Counties League Premier Division |
9 |
Ravens |
| F.C. United of Manchester |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Red Rebels |
| Farnborough |
National League South |
6 |
Yellows |
| Fleetwood Town |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Fishermen |
| Folkestone Invicta |
Isthmian League Premier Division |
7 |
Seasiders |
| Forest Green Rovers |
National League |
5 |
Rovers |
| Fulham |
Premier League |
1 |
Cottagers |
Notes:
(IM) Isle of Man club playing in the English football system.
G
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Gainsborough Trinity |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Holy Blues |
| Gateshead |
National League |
5 |
Heed |
| Gillingham |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Gills |
| Gloucester City |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Tigers |
| Grimsby Town |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Mariners |
| Guernsey(CI) |
Southern Combination League Premier Division |
9 |
Green Lions |
From Isthmian League One South Central |
Notes:
(CI) Channel Islands club playing in the English football system.
H
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Halesowen Town |
Southern League Premier Division Central |
7 |
Yeltz |
| Hampton & Richmond Borough |
National League South |
6 |
Beavers |
| Harrogate Town |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Town |
| Hartlepool United |
National League |
5 |
Pools |
| Hemel Hempstead Town |
National League South |
6 |
Tudors |
| Hereford |
National League North |
6 |
Bulls |
| Hornchurch |
National League South |
6 |
Urchins |
| Horsham |
National League South |
6 |
Hornets |
| Huddersfield Town |
EFL League One |
3 |
Terriers |
| Hull City |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Tigers |
| Hyde United |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Tigers |
I
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Ilkeston Town |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Robins |
| Ipswich Town |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Tractor Boys |
From Premier League |
J
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Jersey Bulls (CI) |
Isthmian League South East Division |
8 |
Bulls |
From Combined Counties League Premier South |
Notes:
(CI) Channel Islands club playing in the English football system.
K
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Kettering Town |
Southern League Premier Division Central |
7 |
Poppies |
| Kidderminster Harriers |
National League North |
6 |
Kiddy |
| King's Lynn Town |
National League North |
6 |
Linnets |
| Kingstonian |
Isthmian League South Central Division |
8 |
K's |
L
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Lancaster City |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Dolly Blues |
| Leamington |
National League North |
6 |
Brakes |
| Leeds United |
Premier League |
1 |
Whites |
From EFL Championship |
| Leicester City |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Foxes |
From Premier League |
| Lewes |
Isthmian League Premier Division |
7 |
Rooks |
| Leyton Orient |
EFL League One |
3 |
O's |
| Lincoln City |
EFL League One |
3 |
Imps |
| Liverpool |
Premier League |
1 |
Reds |
| Luton Town |
EFL League One |
3 |
Hatters |
From EFL Championship |
M
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Macclesfield |
National League North |
6 |
Silkmen |
From Northern Premier League Premier |
| Maidenhead United |
National League South |
6 |
Magpies |
From National League |
| Maidstone United |
National League South |
6 |
Stones |
| Manchester City |
Premier League |
1 |
Citizens |
| Manchester United |
Premier League |
1 |
Red Devils |
| Mansfield Town |
EFL League One |
3 |
Stags |
| Marine |
National League North |
6 |
Mariners |
| Merthyr Town (WE) |
National League North |
6 |
Martyrs |
From Southern League Premier South |
| Middlesbrough |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Boro |
| Millwall |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Lions |
| Milton Keynes |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Dons |
| Morecambe |
National League |
5 |
Shrimps |
From EFL League Two |
Notes:
(WE) Welsh club playing in the English football system.
N
Notes:
(WE) Welsh club playing in the English football system.
O
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Oldham Athletic |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Latics |
From National League |
| Oxford City |
National League North |
6 |
City |
| Oxford United |
EFL Championship |
2 |
U's |
P
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Peterborough Sports |
National League North |
6 |
Sports |
| Peterborough United |
EFL League One |
3 |
Posh |
| Plymouth Argyle |
EFL League One |
3 |
Pilgrims |
From EFL Championship |
| Port Vale |
EFL League One |
3 |
Valiants |
From EFL League Two |
| Portsmouth |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Pompey |
| Preston North End |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Lilywhites |
Q
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Queens Park Rangers |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Hoops |
R
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Radcliffe |
National League North |
6 |
Boro |
| Ramsgate |
Isthmian League Premier Division |
7 |
Rams |
From Isthmian League One South East |
| Reading |
EFL League One |
3 |
Royals |
| Rochdale |
National League |
5 |
Dale |
| Rotherham United |
EFL League One |
3 |
Millers |
| Rushall Olympic |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Pics |
From National League North |
S
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Salford City |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Ammies |
| Salisbury |
National League South |
6 |
Whites |
| Scarborough Athletic |
National League North |
6 |
Seadogs |
| Scunthorpe United |
National League |
5 |
Iron |
From National League North |
| Sheffield United |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Blades |
| Sheffield Wednesday |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Owls |
| Shrewsbury Town |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Shrews |
From EFL League Two |
| Slough Town |
National League South |
6 |
Rebels |
| Solihull Moors |
National League |
5 |
Moors |
| South Shields |
National League North |
6 |
Mariners |
| Southampton |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Saints |
From Premier League |
| Southend United |
National League |
5 |
Shrimpers |
| Southport |
National League North |
6 |
Sandgrounders |
| Spennymoor Town |
National League North |
6 |
Moors |
| Stevenage |
EFL League One |
3 |
Boro |
| Stockport County |
EFL League One |
3 |
Hatters |
| Stoke City |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Potters |
| Sunderland |
Premier League |
1 |
Black Cats |
From EFL Championship |
| Sutton United |
National League |
5 |
U's |
| Swansea City (WE) |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Swans |
| Swindon Town |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Robins |
Notes:
(WE) Welsh club playing in the English football system.
T
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Tamworth |
National League |
5 |
Lambs |
| Taunton Town |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Peacocks |
| Tonbridge Angels |
National League South |
6 |
Angels |
| Tottenham Hotspur |
Premier League |
1 |
Lilywhites |
| Tranmere Rovers |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Rovers |
| Truro City |
National League |
5 |
Tinners |
From National League South |
U
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Uxbridge |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Reds |
From Isthmian League One South Central |
V
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Vauxhall Motors |
Northern Premier League Division One West |
8 |
Motormen |
W
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Walsall |
EFL League Two |
4 |
Saddlers |
| Warrington Town |
Northern Premier League Premier Division |
7 |
Wire |
From National League North |
| Watford |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Hornets |
| Wealdstone |
National League |
5 |
Stones |
| Welling United |
Isthmian League Premier Division |
7 |
Wings |
From National League South |
| West Bromwich Albion |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Baggies |
| West Ham United |
Premier League |
1 |
Irons |
| Weston-super-Mare |
National League South |
6 |
Seagulls |
| Weymouth |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Terras |
From National League South |
| Wigan Athletic |
EFL League One |
3 |
Latics |
| Wimborne Town |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Magpies |
| Woking |
National League |
5 |
Cardinals |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Premier League |
1 |
Wolves |
| Worksop Town |
National League North |
6 |
Tigers |
From Northern Premier League Premier |
| Worthing |
National League South |
6 |
Rebels |
| Wrexham (WE) |
EFL Championship |
2 |
Dragons |
From EFL League One |
| Wycombe Wanderers |
EFL League One |
3 |
Chairboys |
Notes:
(WE) Welsh club playing in the English football system.
Y
| Club |
League/Division |
Lvl |
Nickname |
Change from 2024–25 |
| Yate Town |
Southern League Premier Division South |
7 |
Bluebells |
From Southern League Premier South |
| Yeovil Town |
National League |
5 |
Glovers |
| York City |
National League |
5 |
Minstermen |
See also
- List of former Football League clubs
- List of football clubs in England by major honours won
