Non-League Day: Date, history, notable moments & more

Non-League Day is a chance for football fans across the land to head down to their local non-league club and enjoy a very different experience to the glitz and glamour of the Premier League.

A feature of the football calendar for over a decade now, Non-League Day always coincides with an international break to encourage fans of the top clubs to take this opportunity to go and savour the game at semi-professional or grass-roots level.

Non-League Day date

Non-League Day this year is on Saturday 22nd March. It is always staged when there is an international break for maximum fan participation.

Non-League Day history

Non-League Day was set up in 2010 by football fan James Doe and, over the following 14 years, has become accepted throughout the English ladder as a way of encouraging supporters of sides in the top tiers to experience football at a level they might not have considered before.

To mark the occasion, many teams will offer fans extra incentives, entertainment and refreshments or even cut-price ground admission.

It’s also a huge fundraiser for good causes, especially Prostate Cancer UK, who have worked hand in hand with Non-League Day for over a decade.

Non-League Day what's on

There’s a Non-League Day in the Basque country of Northern Spain inspired by the English concept and La Liga giants Athletic Club are marking the event.

Seven English non-league clubs have played Athletic over the years and each of them - Civil Service FC, United Hospitals FC, Eastbourne Town, Bromley, Merton, Dulwich Hamlet and Corinthian Casuals - received a special pennant from the Basque club.

In 2025, Athletic Club will be collaborating with Altrincham FC, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, Sheppey United, Steyning Town and Witton Albion.

The length and breadth of the land, from Bodmin Town in deepest Cornwall to Penrith AFC in Cumbria's Eden Valley, there are hundreds of clubs taking part in Non-League Day.

Most league clubs are posting links on their websites to smaller clubs near them who are at home on Non-League Day.