A growing list of clubs turn down the invitation to play in the 2025/26 National League Cup, continuing the boycott from last season.
The National League Cup will return for the new campaign, despite low attendances, boycotts and backlash.
The competition between National League clubs and Premier League 2 sides was introduced last season and saw Leeds United beat Sutton United in the final.
It’s the controversially competition that launched much to everyone’s surprise last season, featuring 32 teams (16 National League, 16 Premier League 2 U21).
It looks to be another year of seeing a number of teams deciding not to take part. Now with the league fixtures being released for the 2025/26 season, clubs are releasing statements confirming whether they will take part or decline…
Every attendance of the 2024/25 National League Cup with it ‘set to continue’ despite low turnout
Carlisle United Football Club – “can confirm they will not take part in the National League Cup.
“After consulting internally with the football department, 1921 Directors and representatives from the Carlisle United Supporters Trust, the club has decided not to enter this season’s National League Cup.
Chief Executive, Nigel Clibbens said: “The board held discussions internally and reached the view that given the nature of the competition and previous experience in the EFL trophy, the right choice was not to enter.”
Yeovil Town Football Club – “can confirm that we have made the decision not to enter this season’s National League Cup.
“With the new campaign approaching, our focus is firmly on the league and other key competitions. After reviewing our priorities, we feel it is in the best interests of the club to concentrate fully on our primary objectives for the season ahead.
“We are aware that the National League Cup has not been a priority for many clubs in recent seasons, and we know our supporters are fully focused – like us – on achieving success where it matters most.
“As always, we are grateful for your continued backing and look forward to seeing you throughout the season.”
Eastleigh Football Club “would like to confirm that the club will not be competing in The National League Cup competition.
“Following yesterday’s announcement by the National League regarding the new National League Cup competition incorporating the Premier League U21 teams, Eastleigh Football Club can confirm for our fans that whilst we qualified for the competition we, like numerous other National league teams, declined to enter the competition.
“Our rational for this decision was based on numerous factors some of which we have listed below:
“National League teams currently receive no compensation or protection for our young players, some of whom would feature in this competition. Premier League and EFL clubs simply take these players that have often had many years development at our clubs, something they cannot do to each other. Providing these clubs with competitive games to then play these players or showcase more of them to be taken under these circumstances is completely illogical.
“The financial reward for playing in the competition is negligible and is likely to cost the club some much-needed funds.
“We don’t believe there is a huge demand for the competition from our supporters or any other National League club.
“The fixtures are to be played between October and April which is a time in the season where the club would hope to be competing in the FA Trophy, FA Cup and mounting a challenge for the Play-offs/Promotion and to add more fixtures to this already busy schedule would be counter productive.
“To fulfil these extra fixtures, the club would need to increase the size of its first team squad which would come at considerable cost to cover games that would provide no revenue to support this.
“National League clubs were not consulted before the decision had been made by the National League in the same way that we were not involved in the removal of FA Cup replays recently. Both of these decisions have potentially huge financial implications for National League clubs and also for our supporters.
“A number of other clubs have made the decision to not participate. If we truly value our football pyramid, which is often held up as something we should be proud of and unique then it is incumbent on the clubs to push back against developments that devalue our national sport something which we believe this cup competition does.
“Lower league football provides huge enjoyment all over the country for thousands of fans, is a large employer, and providing vital experience along the way to thousands of people connected to the game many of whom subsequently achieve well paid, hugely rewarding jobs higher up the football pyramid.
“Our clubs are being under-valued, and far too many have not survived in the game when there is more money than ever flowing into it. This needs addressing and this competition increases the huge divide which currently exists.
“This competition which we feel benefits the richest in the game at the expense of the poorest, many of whom are fighting to survive so on balance we feel the right decision for clubs and fans at this level is to withdraw from the competition.”
York City “We can confirm that we will not be participating in this season’s National League Cup.” It’s the second season running the Minstermen have declined to take part in the competition.
Altrincham Football Club – “can confirm that we have declined an invite to enter the 2025/26 National League Cup. With the Enterprise National League fixtures released today and round dates for the National League Cup included, we can now confirm the Robins will not be participating.”
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe manager Andy Butler says he’d be open to his side entering the National League Cup this season. Aldershot say they will also take part.
Here’s how fans reacted as a growing list of clubs turn down an invitation to play in the 2025/26 National League Cup…
@foreverayellow: wish we saw clubs in the efl boycott the efl trophy…
@PaulDoughty1: Good, it’s a distraction, poorly attended with little value and can cause fixture congestion. #ycfc
@leepasq12: Hopefully more clubs do the same. joke of a competition #ycfc
@RebeccaHindle_C: To be fair there is so many cup competitions for non league teams I don’t blame them #ycfc
@soverncomfort: big respect… I wish the @EFL clubs would do the same re the EFL Trophy which has the same issues. #EFL #LeagueOne #leaguetwo @EFL_Comms #cafc
@bobbycameron0: @BrackleyTownFC do the right thing and follow suit. So important to stay up this season and with us entering the FA Cup at Q4, big chance to make some money. Nobody wants to see us in a final against Nottingham Forest under 10s for a sports direct mug
@Acrosby_sl6: Correct answer. If everyone from NL boycotts the pointless tournament, it can go quietly die.
@EastleighKIKI: Correct decision hopefully the whole league follows and let’s get FA cup replays back
@dannypea: Well done Eastleigh! Great that clubs are making a stance on this! Our non league clubs need to be treated with more respect from big bully billionaire organisations like the Premier League.
@Ash_Napier27: Another club with sense. Us next please @bostonunited. Out of interest, does anyone know what the financial benefit of this circus was to Boston last year? If indeed there was any?
@fcislocheng: It needs to go and we need a concerted campaign to get back FA Cup replays for rounds 1-3
@DannyTracey_: Excellently and professionally put. I was unaware of this and completely agree with the decision of national league clubs to withdraw from this competition. Fair play
@OnceADagger: That makes it 5 who have said no so far (Carlisle, York, Alty, Eastleigh & Yeovil). Then last year another 4 teams (FGR, Southend, Hartlepool & Moors) said no who have qualified this year but yet to rule themselves out… If they say no again, that means only 15 VNL teams are in at a minimum. So the regional leagues will be asked. And as others have said, who was involved in founding the cup? Who were also the highest finishing club last year amongst the regional leagues? It’s coming lads. Exactly what you need with a team full of cripples too
— stop the affilates (@AffiliatesStop) July 9, 2025
