League Two is the fourth and bottom tier of the English Football League where the teams at the top battle it out to try and progress up to League One, while others attempt to avoid dropping down into the non-league set-up.
The old Fourth Division has been known as League Two since the 2004/05 EFL season, when the Football League, the three divisions beneath the Premier League, were rebranded.
Each season, 24 clubs take part with those finishing in the top three places securing automatic promotion up to League One, while the bottom two are relegated to the first rung on the non-league pyramid - the National League.
The four teams that finish the season between fourth and seventh place then go into the play-offs for the final promotion spot, with the successful two to emerge from the two-legged semi-finals facing off at Wembley with the chance to go up.
Dates
The 2026/27 League Two season started on 14th August 2026, with the regular season concluding on 8th May 2027.
The season-ending play-offs will take place following the conclusion of the regular season, with the final set to be played at Wembley Stadium.
Teams & Stadiums
Team | Stadium | Capacity |
Accrington Stanley | Crown Ground | 5,450 |
Barnet | The Hive Stadium | 6,500 |
Bristol Rovers | Memorial Stadium | 12,500 |
Cheltenham Town | Whaddon Road | 7,066 |
Chesterfield | SMH Group Stadium | 10,292 |
Colchester United | Colchester Community Stadium | 10,105 |
Crawley Town | Broadfield Stadium | 6,134 |
Crewe Alexandra | Gresty Road | 10,153 |
Exeter City | St James Park | 8,219 |
Fleetwood Town | Highbury Stadium | 5,327 |
Gillingham | Priestfield Stadium | 11,582 |
Grimsby Town | Blundell Park | 9,546 |
Newport County | Rodney Parade | 7,850 |
Northampton Town | Sixfields Stadium | 8,203 |
Oldham Athletic | Boundary Park | 13,186 |
Port Vale | Vale Park | 16,800 |
Rochdale | Spotland Stadium | 10,249 |
Rotherham United | New York Stadium | 12,021 |
Salford City | Moor Lane | 5,108 |
Shrewsbury Town | New Meadow | 9,875 |
Swindon Town | County Ground | 14,753 |
Tranmere Rovers | Prenton Park | 16,587 |
Walsall | Bescot Stadium | 11,300 |
York City | York Community Stadium | 8,500 |
Format
League Two is the bottom division of the English Football League, known as the EFL, and the fourth tier overall in the English league system, beneath the Premier League, Championship and League One.
The 24 teams in the division play each other twice, once at home and once away, with a traditional three points awarded for wins, one for a draw and zero for a defeat.
At the end of the campaign, with each team having played a gruelling 46 matches, the final standings determine who goes up to League One (top three automatically promoted), while the bottom two are consigned to the National League.
Four other teams (fourth to seventh place) get the chance to secure promotion via the end-of-season play-offs.
Previous winners
Chesterfield and Doncaster Rovers lead the way as the most successful club in League Two, both winning the fourth-tier on four occasions.
Bromley won the division for the first time in the most recent 2025/26 campaign, topping the standings with 87 points in just their second season since being promoted from the National League.
Click here to read the full list of League Two winners over the years.
Transfer Record
The most expensive signing in League Two history dates back to 2009, with Kasper Schmeichel joining Notts County from Manchester City for a fee believed to be in the region of £1m-£1.5m.
Aaron Collins features prominently in the all-time fourth tier record transfers after completing the switch from Bolton Wanderers to MK Dons in June 2025.
Click here to read the top five League Two record transfers.
