National League matches kicking off at 3:03pm – but what does it mean?

Anyone taking a cursory look over the fixtures at the weekend may note the Enterprise National League matches all kicking off at 3:03pm.

The odd time, three minutes after the traditional kick-off time of 3pm, is to raise awareness of the National League’s campaign to increase promotion and relegation between the top-tier of non-league football and the Football League.

Until the end of the 1986/87 season, promotion to the Football League was based on a system of votes by Football League clubs, meaning that mostly, it didn’t happen.

Neil Warnock’s Scarborough were the first side to benefit from automatic promotion, replacing Lincoln City, and the promotion spots were expanded to two in 2003.

Related: How to watch the National League’s 3UP ‘Day of Action’ live on DAZN

Fast forward to 2025/26 and the National League has launched a petition to show fan enthusiasm for three up.

In terms of arguments for change, the 2022/23 season is a case in point when the top two sides both posted over 100 points. Champions Wrexham managed 111 while runners-up Notts County posted 107. The latter though, was forced to go through the play-offs, eventually beating third placed Chesterfield (84 points) in the final.

Last season’s champions Barnet bagged 102 points while second-placed York City (96) lost out in the play-offs.

Ex-Premier League boss Neil Warnock backs 3UP

Speaking to the National League website, Warnock himself spoke in favour of three up: “I think it encourages everybody.

“And that’s why I’m a big believer that they’ve got to follow suit soon with 3UP. Clubs in the bottom division of the EFL, they don’t have a divine to stay there when there’s non-League teams that are absolutely superb and run really well.

“These are clubs that have got good teams, got good facilities. I think it’s criminal that it’s only the ones that come up that go up automatically.

“I think what makes our football great in England is that everybody’s got the same incentive in the Football League… and non-league has grown so much. When you look at our non-League, we should be really proud of it and the number of people that we attract.

“All that’s needed now is common sense, and that right to do it.”

3UP: The National League’s Day of Action

The National League’s Day of Action takes place at the weekend on Saturday 15th November. All National League games will kick off at 3.03pm to raise awareness of the 3UP campaign. If you’d like to sign the petition – put your name to 3UP here.

Slough Town’s home fixture with Gloucester City in the FA Trophy will also kick-off at 3:03pm but it is not yet known if Maidenhead United’s trip to Leamington in the same competition will follow suit.

Related: ‘It should be Everest’ – National League’s number of promotion spots is fine as it is