How many points are needed to avoid relegation in League One?

Ellis Statham Updated: 07 Feb 25 13:29

Such is the nature of the EFL, often it's very late in the season until concrete predictions are made in regard to who will make the drop to League Two.

In more recent years, one conclusion drawn from League One is that the standard of teams has seemingly dropped, evident by the lower points total required to stay in the division.

We take a look through the record books to assess the number of points needed for League One survival ahead of the business end of the 2024/25 campaign.

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How many points are needed to avoid relegation in the League One?

Since the EFL League One was introduced in the 2024/25 campaign with a 46-match season, the average tally for the 20th-placed team (excluding the 2019/20 campaign in which the season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic) is 49.2 points.

Of the first 15 seasons of League One, Walsall were the only team to finish 20th and record less than 50 points, earning 48 points in the 2010/11 term. However, the last four campaigns in the division has seen the 20th-placed team finish on less than 50 points on every occasion.

What is the highest points total to be relegated from the League One?

The highest ever points total for a relegated team in League One history is 51, recorded by Torquay United in the inaugural 2004/05 campaign.

That was the start of a downward spiral for the club, going into administration just shy of 20 years later in April 2024.

What is the lowest points total to avoid relegation from the League One?

Fleetwood Town recorded 40 points in the 2021/22 League One campaign, finishing 20th and avoiding relegation due to a better goal difference (-20) than Gillingham (-34).

In a 2019/20 campaign that saw the final league standings decided by a points-per-game method, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFC Wimbledon were predicted to finish 20th on 35 points, five lower than Wimbledon's 40 point season.