Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied β 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[8] (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated; (X) Assured of at least Europa League league stage Notes:
^The winners of the
2023β24 FA Cup (Manchester City or Manchester United) also qualify for the
Europa League league stage. If the cup winners qualify for the Champions League or Europa League via league position, the spot given to the cup winners will pass to the highest-placed team below the Europa League qualifying position.
^As the winners of the
2023β24 EFL Cup, Liverpool have qualified for at least the Europa League via league position, the spot given to the League Cup winners (
Conference League play-off round) passes to the highest-placed team not already qualified for European competition.
^Everton were deducted eight points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules. They were originally deducted 10 points but this was reduced to six after an appeal. The club were then deducted an additional two points for further PSR breaches.[2][3][4] The second deduction is currently under appeal.[5]
^Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.[6] The decision is currently under appeal.[7]
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL official website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[9] (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated; (X) Assured of at least a play-off place, but may yet be promoted automatically; (Y) May yet qualify for the play-offs, but cannot be promoted automatically.
In
John Mousinho's first full season at the helm, Portsmouth won the League One title, topping the table for virtually the entire season and ending their 12-year exile from the Championship in style, only a somewhat poor run of form during and after Christmas preventing Pompey from breaking the 100-point mark - and finally securing their first promotion under American owner
Michael Eisner. In a tense race, Derby County finished second, overcoming a slow start to rocket up the table after November and returning to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier, winning their first promotion since 2007 in the process and earning manager
Paul Warne his fourth promotion as a manager in seven years - narrowly edging out Bolton Wanderers who finished in third place, qualifying for the play-offs for the second successive season and being joined by Peterborough United, Oxford United and Barnsley.
Carlisle United never got back to grips with life in League One, in their first season at this tier for ten years, and were relegated in last place, sealing an immediate return to League Two - with even a couple of late wins coming too late for the Cumbrians. Port Vale suffered a complete collapse in form after briefly reaching second place in mid-September, winning just five games after that point and suffering relegation after two years in this tier, despite the appointment of experienced manager
Darren Moore. Despite changing three managers, Fleetwood Town never looked likely to escape relegation following a horrible start and were relegated in 22nd place, returning to League Two after ten years and suffering the very first relegation as the current incarnation of the club. The battle to avoid the final relegation spot proved very tight; in the end, Cheltenham took the last spot, never managing to fully recover from a terrible start that saw them fail to score in any of their first twelve games, and thus bringing the Robins' three-year spell in the division to an end, albeit managing to avoid finishing with the worst goals scored record for the campaign. Burton Albion and Cambridge United both came perilously close to relegation in the last few matchdays, but both clubs managed to just pull themselves over the line, to secure their status for the next season.
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[15] (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 19 May 2023, Wigan Athletic were deducted four points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2022β23 season.[10] Another four-point deduction was applied on 26 May, after the club's owners missed a deadline to deposit an amount equalling 125% of its monthly wage bill.[11]
^On 16 August 2023, Reading were deducted one point for failing to pay players on time and in full on three occasions in the 2022β23 season.[12] Another 3-point deduction was applied on 13 September, for failing to deposit wages on time.[13] Another 2-point deduction was applied on 27 February, due to late HMRC payments.[14]
The battle for the title looked like becoming a tussle between Mansfield Town and Stockport County for large parts of the season β a battle won by Stockport, the Hatters putting their play-off final disappointment the previous campaign (as well as a slow start to the season) behind them to secure their first promotion to League One for 14 years, while also giving manager
Dave Challinor his 2nd promotion in 4 years. Wrexham's long-awaited return to the Football League ended with the Welsh club securing their second straight promotion and a place in the third tier for the first time since 2005, the Red Dragons solidifying themselves in the top seven in early October and gradually surging up the table, perhaps only missing out on another title because of their inferior away record and a slow start. A collapse in form in the closing weeks, coupled with an inability to turn draws into wins, ultimately pushed Mansfield into third place, nonetheless a remarkable season for the Stags who secured a return to the third tier after relegation in 2003. Qualifying for the play-offs were Milton Keynes Dons, Doncaster Rovers, Crewe Alexandra and Crawley Town - a fantastic achievement for Doncaster, who began the season with a run of just 2 points in 7 games and looked like battling relegation all season long until a spectacular late-season surge that saw them win their last 11 games propelled them all the way from 21st to 5th place.
Barrow enjoyed their best season since returning to the Football League, remaining in the top 7 for most of the season, but a terrible run of just 2 points from 7 games in April, coupled with Doncaster's late meteoric rise, meant they failed to reach the play-offs, a consequence of drawing their last game. Notts County, in their first season back in the Football League after 4 years, began on a very bright note as they mounted a serious play-off challenge; the Magpies' form tailed off badly in the New Year, however, after promotion-winning manager
Luke Williams departed for Swansea in early January, and the club finished in 14th, in a season awash with 175 goals, translated into an attacking record only bettered by Stockport and Mansfield, but a defensive one worse even than the two relegated sides. Harrogate Town enjoyed their best season to date with a 13th place finish, even reaching a playoff position as late as the end of February - however, only three wins from Valentine's Day onward caused them to falter down the stretch.
Just two years after winning promotion to the third tier, Forest Green Rovers finished bottom and suffered a second consecutive relegation, falling back into non-league football amid a dreadful season that saw several managerial changes, including the sacking of player-manager
Troy Deeney in the aftermath of a post-match rant about the mentality of the squad. The battle for the last relegation place went to the final day, with Sutton United sliding back into non-league football after three years amid a rough campaign, the London side's hopes being let down by a number of draws in winnable games including a 4β4 draw on the final day of the season. Colchester United flirted with relegation on several occasions throughout the season, but managed to just pull themselves over the line following a late improvement in form, securing their survival on the final matchday.
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[17] (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 11 April 2024, Morecambe were deducted three points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2023β24 season.[16]
In one of the most one-sided title races in the fifth tier, Chesterfield ended their six-year absence from the Football League in some style, giving manager
Paul Cook his second promotion with the club exactly a decade after his first - with perhaps the only disappointment in the campaign being their poor defensive record (worse than relegated Kidderminster Harriers) and a poor run of form after winning the title to stop them breaking the goal and points records set by Wrexham and Notts County the previous season. Qualifying for the play-off final were Bromley and Solihull Moors.
Despite finishing sixth in the table, a remarkable achievement considering the departure of their manager only a few months into the season, Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to ground ownership issues, the first time any team had been excluded from the fifth tier's promotion processes since Stevenage were denied automatic promotion for similar reasons in 1996. Southend United endured a turbulent season on and off the pitch, facing the threat of liquidation in the early months of the season before finally gaining new ownership - on the pitch, their campaign would have seen them qualify for the play-offs if not for a ten-point deduction imposed for financial irregularities.
Oxford City's first-ever season at this level resulted in immediate relegation, largely in part due to a poor second half of the season that saw them fall to the bottom of the table. Dorking Wanderers were relegated after two seasons, also being let down by underwhelming form in the New Year as a failure to get any wins from their final eleven fixtures proved fatal. Kidderminster Harriers' first season at this level in eight years proved to be disappointing, a terrible first half of the season ultimately proving too much to overcome, though the team did surprise by finishing with less goals conceded than Chesterfield. Boreham Wood occupied the final relegation spot, bringing an end to nine years at this level, and going down with the highest-ever points total for a side relegated from the fifth tier just one season after narrowly missing out on the play-off final.
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^While Altrincham originally qualified for the play-off quarter-finals, Gateshead's exclusion meant that Altrincham were awarded a
walkover win and progressed directly the semi-finals.
^Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to not meeting the Football League's ground ownership requirements.
^Southend United were deducted ten points for failing to pay debt to HMRC.[18]
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 13 March 2024, Torquay United were deducted ten points after the club submitted its intention to appoint administrators.[19] Another one-point deduction was applied on 12 April, for fielding a suspended player.[20]
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
Women's Super League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored. (R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
FA Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
30 September 2023: Manchester City remain top of the Premier League at the end of September despite the end of their perfect record in the league, standing a point ahead of Spurs and Arsenal. Liverpool, Villa, Brighton and West Ham United complete the top seven. Sheffield United have dropped to the bottom of the league on goal difference, courtesy of a record-breaking 8β0 home defeat to Newcastle United. Burnley and Bournemouth complete the bottom three. Newly promoted Ipswich Town lead the Championship at September's end, with Leicester and Preston also contending for automatic promotion. Sunderland, Hull City and Cardiff City are in the play-off places, Norwich City only missing out on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday remain bottom, Rotherham have dropped into the bottom three, and Middlesbrough have climbed out of the drop zone on goals scored at the expense of Queens Park Rangers.
31 October 2023: October ends with Spurs top of the Premier League, 2 points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City. Liverpool and Villa are the other two teams in the Champions League hunt, with Newcastle and Brighton 5 points behind Villa. Sheffield United, the only team in the top four divisions without a league win, prop up the Premier League. Bournemouth have climbed clear of the relegation zone at the expense of Luton Town, but Burnley remain in the relegation zone. Leicester now lead the Championship, 5 points clear of Ipswich; for their part, Ipswich are 9 points clear of third-placed Leeds with a game in hand and look well-placed for a second consecutive promotion. Cardiff are the only team to remain in the play-off zone from September, now joined by Southampton and West Bromwich Albion. Rotherham, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday remain in the relegation zone.
30 November 2023: Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table at the end of November, a point ahead of Manchester City. Poor form has seen Spurs drop behind Liverpool and Villa out of the Champions League spaces and into fifth, with Manchester United and Newcastle rounding out the top seven. A 10-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules has seen Everton drop in the relegation zone, only ahead of Burnley on goal difference. Sheffield United have finally won a game and are 18th, but are 4 points adrift of Luton in 17th. Leicester and Ipswich continue to set the pace in the Championship, though the gap between Leicester and third-placed Leeds has shrunk to 8 points. Southampton and West Brom remain in the top six, with Hull replacing Cardiff. At the other end of the table, the situation is growing increasingly dire for QPR and Rotherham, who are respectively 6 and 7 points adrift of 21st-placed Huddersfield. Things are even worse for Sheffield Wednesday, who are 12 points away from safety.
31 December 2023: The new year arrives with Liverpool top of the Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference and with a game in hand. Arsenal and Manchester City are 2 points behind. Tottenham remain in the title conversation as they are only 3 points behind Liverpool. West Ham and Manchester United lead the charge for the top seven, but with only 3 points separating Manchester United in 7th and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 11th with half the season played. Everton have escaped the relegation zone at Luton's expense, though Luton have a game in hand and are only a point behind. Burnley and Sheffield United are in danger of being cut adrift, being 5 and 7 points away from safety respectively. Leicester continue to lead the way in the Championship and look good bets for an automatic return to the Premier League, though Ipswich's automatic promotion charge is being threatened by third-placed Southampton, who are 3 points behind. Leeds, West Brom and Hull remain in the play-off zone, as do Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, and Rotherham in the relegation zone, though Huddersfield are still in danger with only 8 points between them and bottom-placed Rotherham.
31 January 2024: Liverpool have extended their lead over joint second Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the league to 5 points by the end of January, though City have a game in hand. Spurs are ahead of Villa in the coveted fourth place on goals scored, with West Ham and Newcastle completing the top seven. Luton have jumped ahead of Everton again to finish January out of the relegation zone, with a game in hand over the Merseyside club. Burnley and Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone. In the Championship, Leicester have extended their lead at the top to 10 points and it is increasingly becoming a matter of when, not if, they will confirm their immediate return to the Premier League. Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds look destined to contend for second place. West Brom and Coventry City complete the top six, though with just over a third of the season to go, only 6 points separate 6th and 13th. The Championship relegation zone is unchanged, but Huddersfield continue to look over their shoulders with QPR just 3 points behind.
29 February 2024: Liverpool remain top at the end of February, but with only 2 points separating them, Arsenal, and Manchester City, the title race looks set to go down to the wire. Aston Villa have gone 4 points clear of Spurs in fourth, though Spurs have a game in hand. Manchester United and Brighton round out the top seven, with West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Chelsea also in contention. Burnley and Sheffield United remain deep in relegation trouble, but Everton have jumped clear of Luton after their points deduction was reduced to 6 points by appeal, throwing Nottingham Forest and Brentford into the relegation battle. Leicester's lead in the Championship has been reduced to 6 points after consecutive losses, with Leeds and Ipswich tied for second; Southampton have also stumbled during February and are 5 points behind in fourth. West Brom remain in the top six, joined again by Hull. The makeup of the Championship relegation zone has changed for the first time since October, as QPR have climbed above Stoke City on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday are 3 points behind, and Millwall, Huddersfield, and Birmingham face a relegation struggle too. The losers of that struggle will almost certainly be joined by Rotherham, who are 16 points adrift of safety.
31 March 2024: Liverpool lead the table at the end of March, but the title race remains wide open as Arsenal and Manchester City are 2 and 3 points behind the Reds, respectively. Aston Villa have a 3-point lead on Tottenham in the coveted 4th place, although Spurs still have a game in hand. Manchester United and West Ham round out the top 7, but places 7 to 13 are separated by just 6 points. Sheffield United prop up the table and look doomed, while Burnley have moved to within 4 points of safety; Luton Town occupy 18th place, tied on points with Nottingham Forest who have suffered a 4-point deduction, while Everton - who face another looming points deduction - and Brentford are still in the battle to avoid relegation. In the Championship, the race for the title as well as automatic promotion has turned into a three-horse one, as one point separates 1st-placed Ipswich and 2nd-placed Leeds, with another point separating the Whites from 3rd-placed Leicester - the Foxes having fallen off the top of the table for the first time since September following an alarming decline in form, although they have a game in hand over the two sides above them. Southampton are 9 points behind the automatic promotion places although with 2 games in hand - one against Leicester - while West Brom and Norwich round out the top 6. Rotherham will be relegated if they fail to win on Easter Monday, while Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield join them in the bottom 3. Birmingham are outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but with places 16 to 23 separated by 5 points, this year's relegation battle is everything but decided at this point.
5 April 2024:
Rotherham United become the first side in this season's English Football League to suffer relegation following their 1β0 home defeat to
Plymouth Argyle, ending their 2-year stay in the Championship.
6 April 2024: A 2β0 defeat to
Northampton Town relegates
Carlisle United back to League Two after one season in League One.
8 April 2024: Everton suffer another 2 point deduction, making it a total of 8 points deducted this season and in the process becoming the first side in English top-flight history to suffer two points deductions in a single season.
13 April 2024:
Stockport County and
Wrexham become the first sides in this season's Football League to clinch promotion, from League Two to League One, meaning they will be playing League One football after 14 and 19 years respectively - Wrexham winning their 2nd successive promotion.
16 April 2024:
Portsmouth clinch promotion as well as the League One title following a dramatic 3β2 victory over
Barnsley, returning to the Championship after 12 years. In League Two,
Stockport County defeat
Notts County 5β2 to clinch the title with two matches remaining,
Mansfield Town clinch the final automatic promotion spot to League One, returning after a 21 season absence, while
Forest Green Rovers suffer a 2nd successive relegation, returning to the National League after 7 seasons in the Football League.
20 April 2024: A combination of results lead to
Port Vale and
Fleetwood Town both being relegated to League Two, after 2, and 10 years, respectively, in League One.
26 April 2024:
Leicester City become the first side in this year's unpredictable Championship to clinch promotion following
Leeds' 4β0 thrashing away to
Queens Park Rangers, sealing an immediate return to the Premier League - this win securing Championship football next season for the London club. This result means that
Ipswich have their destiny in their own hands to win promotion, as they are 1 point behind Leeds with 2 games in hand over the Whites.
27 April 2024:
Sheffield United become the first team relegated from the Premier League, after a 5β1 loss to
Newcastle United leaves them 10 points adrift from safety, with only 3 matches remaining β this is Sheffield's fourth move between the Premier League and the Championship in 6 seasons. The League One regular season ends with
Derby Countyβs 2β0 win over
Carlisle United sealing second place, and automatic promotion to the Championship, after 2 years in League One, while
Cheltenham Townβs 2β1 loss to
Stevenage relegates them to League Two after 3 seasons in League One. The League Two regular season also draws to a close, with
Sutton United relegated to the National League, after 3 years in the Football League, by a 4β4 draw with
Milton Keynes Dons.
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied β 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[8] (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated; (X) Assured of at least Europa League league stage Notes:
^The winners of the
2023β24 FA Cup (Manchester City or Manchester United) also qualify for the
Europa League league stage. If the cup winners qualify for the Champions League or Europa League via league position, the spot given to the cup winners will pass to the highest-placed team below the Europa League qualifying position.
^As the winners of the
2023β24 EFL Cup, Liverpool have qualified for at least the Europa League via league position, the spot given to the League Cup winners (
Conference League play-off round) passes to the highest-placed team not already qualified for European competition.
^Everton were deducted eight points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules. They were originally deducted 10 points but this was reduced to six after an appeal. The club were then deducted an additional two points for further PSR breaches.[2][3][4] The second deduction is currently under appeal.[5]
^Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.[6] The decision is currently under appeal.[7]
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL official website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[9] (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated; (X) Assured of at least a play-off place, but may yet be promoted automatically; (Y) May yet qualify for the play-offs, but cannot be promoted automatically.
In
John Mousinho's first full season at the helm, Portsmouth won the League One title, topping the table for virtually the entire season and ending their 12-year exile from the Championship in style, only a somewhat poor run of form during and after Christmas preventing Pompey from breaking the 100-point mark - and finally securing their first promotion under American owner
Michael Eisner. In a tense race, Derby County finished second, overcoming a slow start to rocket up the table after November and returning to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier, winning their first promotion since 2007 in the process and earning manager
Paul Warne his fourth promotion as a manager in seven years - narrowly edging out Bolton Wanderers who finished in third place, qualifying for the play-offs for the second successive season and being joined by Peterborough United, Oxford United and Barnsley.
Carlisle United never got back to grips with life in League One, in their first season at this tier for ten years, and were relegated in last place, sealing an immediate return to League Two - with even a couple of late wins coming too late for the Cumbrians. Port Vale suffered a complete collapse in form after briefly reaching second place in mid-September, winning just five games after that point and suffering relegation after two years in this tier, despite the appointment of experienced manager
Darren Moore. Despite changing three managers, Fleetwood Town never looked likely to escape relegation following a horrible start and were relegated in 22nd place, returning to League Two after ten years and suffering the very first relegation as the current incarnation of the club. The battle to avoid the final relegation spot proved very tight; in the end, Cheltenham took the last spot, never managing to fully recover from a terrible start that saw them fail to score in any of their first twelve games, and thus bringing the Robins' three-year spell in the division to an end, albeit managing to avoid finishing with the worst goals scored record for the campaign. Burton Albion and Cambridge United both came perilously close to relegation in the last few matchdays, but both clubs managed to just pull themselves over the line, to secure their status for the next season.
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[15] (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 19 May 2023, Wigan Athletic were deducted four points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2022β23 season.[10] Another four-point deduction was applied on 26 May, after the club's owners missed a deadline to deposit an amount equalling 125% of its monthly wage bill.[11]
^On 16 August 2023, Reading were deducted one point for failing to pay players on time and in full on three occasions in the 2022β23 season.[12] Another 3-point deduction was applied on 13 September, for failing to deposit wages on time.[13] Another 2-point deduction was applied on 27 February, due to late HMRC payments.[14]
The battle for the title looked like becoming a tussle between Mansfield Town and Stockport County for large parts of the season β a battle won by Stockport, the Hatters putting their play-off final disappointment the previous campaign (as well as a slow start to the season) behind them to secure their first promotion to League One for 14 years, while also giving manager
Dave Challinor his 2nd promotion in 4 years. Wrexham's long-awaited return to the Football League ended with the Welsh club securing their second straight promotion and a place in the third tier for the first time since 2005, the Red Dragons solidifying themselves in the top seven in early October and gradually surging up the table, perhaps only missing out on another title because of their inferior away record and a slow start. A collapse in form in the closing weeks, coupled with an inability to turn draws into wins, ultimately pushed Mansfield into third place, nonetheless a remarkable season for the Stags who secured a return to the third tier after relegation in 2003. Qualifying for the play-offs were Milton Keynes Dons, Doncaster Rovers, Crewe Alexandra and Crawley Town - a fantastic achievement for Doncaster, who began the season with a run of just 2 points in 7 games and looked like battling relegation all season long until a spectacular late-season surge that saw them win their last 11 games propelled them all the way from 21st to 5th place.
Barrow enjoyed their best season since returning to the Football League, remaining in the top 7 for most of the season, but a terrible run of just 2 points from 7 games in April, coupled with Doncaster's late meteoric rise, meant they failed to reach the play-offs, a consequence of drawing their last game. Notts County, in their first season back in the Football League after 4 years, began on a very bright note as they mounted a serious play-off challenge; the Magpies' form tailed off badly in the New Year, however, after promotion-winning manager
Luke Williams departed for Swansea in early January, and the club finished in 14th, in a season awash with 175 goals, translated into an attacking record only bettered by Stockport and Mansfield, but a defensive one worse even than the two relegated sides. Harrogate Town enjoyed their best season to date with a 13th place finish, even reaching a playoff position as late as the end of February - however, only three wins from Valentine's Day onward caused them to falter down the stretch.
Just two years after winning promotion to the third tier, Forest Green Rovers finished bottom and suffered a second consecutive relegation, falling back into non-league football amid a dreadful season that saw several managerial changes, including the sacking of player-manager
Troy Deeney in the aftermath of a post-match rant about the mentality of the squad. The battle for the last relegation place went to the final day, with Sutton United sliding back into non-league football after three years amid a rough campaign, the London side's hopes being let down by a number of draws in winnable games including a 4β4 draw on the final day of the season. Colchester United flirted with relegation on several occasions throughout the season, but managed to just pull themselves over the line following a late improvement in form, securing their survival on the final matchday.
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2024. Source:
EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[17] (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 11 April 2024, Morecambe were deducted three points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2023β24 season.[16]
In one of the most one-sided title races in the fifth tier, Chesterfield ended their six-year absence from the Football League in some style, giving manager
Paul Cook his second promotion with the club exactly a decade after his first - with perhaps the only disappointment in the campaign being their poor defensive record (worse than relegated Kidderminster Harriers) and a poor run of form after winning the title to stop them breaking the goal and points records set by Wrexham and Notts County the previous season. Qualifying for the play-off final were Bromley and Solihull Moors.
Despite finishing sixth in the table, a remarkable achievement considering the departure of their manager only a few months into the season, Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to ground ownership issues, the first time any team had been excluded from the fifth tier's promotion processes since Stevenage were denied automatic promotion for similar reasons in 1996. Southend United endured a turbulent season on and off the pitch, facing the threat of liquidation in the early months of the season before finally gaining new ownership - on the pitch, their campaign would have seen them qualify for the play-offs if not for a ten-point deduction imposed for financial irregularities.
Oxford City's first-ever season at this level resulted in immediate relegation, largely in part due to a poor second half of the season that saw them fall to the bottom of the table. Dorking Wanderers were relegated after two seasons, also being let down by underwhelming form in the New Year as a failure to get any wins from their final eleven fixtures proved fatal. Kidderminster Harriers' first season at this level in eight years proved to be disappointing, a terrible first half of the season ultimately proving too much to overcome, though the team did surprise by finishing with less goals conceded than Chesterfield. Boreham Wood occupied the final relegation spot, bringing an end to nine years at this level, and going down with the highest-ever points total for a side relegated from the fifth tier just one season after narrowly missing out on the play-off final.
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^While Altrincham originally qualified for the play-off quarter-finals, Gateshead's exclusion meant that Altrincham were awarded a
walkover win and progressed directly the semi-finals.
^Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to not meeting the Football League's ground ownership requirements.
^Southend United were deducted ten points for failing to pay debt to HMRC.[18]
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Updated to match(es) played on 20 April 2024. Source:
National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 13 March 2024, Torquay United were deducted ten points after the club submitted its intention to appoint administrators.[19] Another one-point deduction was applied on 12 April, for fielding a suspended player.[20]
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
Women's Super League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored. (R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source:
FA Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
30 September 2023: Manchester City remain top of the Premier League at the end of September despite the end of their perfect record in the league, standing a point ahead of Spurs and Arsenal. Liverpool, Villa, Brighton and West Ham United complete the top seven. Sheffield United have dropped to the bottom of the league on goal difference, courtesy of a record-breaking 8β0 home defeat to Newcastle United. Burnley and Bournemouth complete the bottom three. Newly promoted Ipswich Town lead the Championship at September's end, with Leicester and Preston also contending for automatic promotion. Sunderland, Hull City and Cardiff City are in the play-off places, Norwich City only missing out on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday remain bottom, Rotherham have dropped into the bottom three, and Middlesbrough have climbed out of the drop zone on goals scored at the expense of Queens Park Rangers.
31 October 2023: October ends with Spurs top of the Premier League, 2 points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City. Liverpool and Villa are the other two teams in the Champions League hunt, with Newcastle and Brighton 5 points behind Villa. Sheffield United, the only team in the top four divisions without a league win, prop up the Premier League. Bournemouth have climbed clear of the relegation zone at the expense of Luton Town, but Burnley remain in the relegation zone. Leicester now lead the Championship, 5 points clear of Ipswich; for their part, Ipswich are 9 points clear of third-placed Leeds with a game in hand and look well-placed for a second consecutive promotion. Cardiff are the only team to remain in the play-off zone from September, now joined by Southampton and West Bromwich Albion. Rotherham, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday remain in the relegation zone.
30 November 2023: Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table at the end of November, a point ahead of Manchester City. Poor form has seen Spurs drop behind Liverpool and Villa out of the Champions League spaces and into fifth, with Manchester United and Newcastle rounding out the top seven. A 10-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules has seen Everton drop in the relegation zone, only ahead of Burnley on goal difference. Sheffield United have finally won a game and are 18th, but are 4 points adrift of Luton in 17th. Leicester and Ipswich continue to set the pace in the Championship, though the gap between Leicester and third-placed Leeds has shrunk to 8 points. Southampton and West Brom remain in the top six, with Hull replacing Cardiff. At the other end of the table, the situation is growing increasingly dire for QPR and Rotherham, who are respectively 6 and 7 points adrift of 21st-placed Huddersfield. Things are even worse for Sheffield Wednesday, who are 12 points away from safety.
31 December 2023: The new year arrives with Liverpool top of the Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference and with a game in hand. Arsenal and Manchester City are 2 points behind. Tottenham remain in the title conversation as they are only 3 points behind Liverpool. West Ham and Manchester United lead the charge for the top seven, but with only 3 points separating Manchester United in 7th and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 11th with half the season played. Everton have escaped the relegation zone at Luton's expense, though Luton have a game in hand and are only a point behind. Burnley and Sheffield United are in danger of being cut adrift, being 5 and 7 points away from safety respectively. Leicester continue to lead the way in the Championship and look good bets for an automatic return to the Premier League, though Ipswich's automatic promotion charge is being threatened by third-placed Southampton, who are 3 points behind. Leeds, West Brom and Hull remain in the play-off zone, as do Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, and Rotherham in the relegation zone, though Huddersfield are still in danger with only 8 points between them and bottom-placed Rotherham.
31 January 2024: Liverpool have extended their lead over joint second Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the league to 5 points by the end of January, though City have a game in hand. Spurs are ahead of Villa in the coveted fourth place on goals scored, with West Ham and Newcastle completing the top seven. Luton have jumped ahead of Everton again to finish January out of the relegation zone, with a game in hand over the Merseyside club. Burnley and Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone. In the Championship, Leicester have extended their lead at the top to 10 points and it is increasingly becoming a matter of when, not if, they will confirm their immediate return to the Premier League. Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds look destined to contend for second place. West Brom and Coventry City complete the top six, though with just over a third of the season to go, only 6 points separate 6th and 13th. The Championship relegation zone is unchanged, but Huddersfield continue to look over their shoulders with QPR just 3 points behind.
29 February 2024: Liverpool remain top at the end of February, but with only 2 points separating them, Arsenal, and Manchester City, the title race looks set to go down to the wire. Aston Villa have gone 4 points clear of Spurs in fourth, though Spurs have a game in hand. Manchester United and Brighton round out the top seven, with West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Chelsea also in contention. Burnley and Sheffield United remain deep in relegation trouble, but Everton have jumped clear of Luton after their points deduction was reduced to 6 points by appeal, throwing Nottingham Forest and Brentford into the relegation battle. Leicester's lead in the Championship has been reduced to 6 points after consecutive losses, with Leeds and Ipswich tied for second; Southampton have also stumbled during February and are 5 points behind in fourth. West Brom remain in the top six, joined again by Hull. The makeup of the Championship relegation zone has changed for the first time since October, as QPR have climbed above Stoke City on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday are 3 points behind, and Millwall, Huddersfield, and Birmingham face a relegation struggle too. The losers of that struggle will almost certainly be joined by Rotherham, who are 16 points adrift of safety.
31 March 2024: Liverpool lead the table at the end of March, but the title race remains wide open as Arsenal and Manchester City are 2 and 3 points behind the Reds, respectively. Aston Villa have a 3-point lead on Tottenham in the coveted 4th place, although Spurs still have a game in hand. Manchester United and West Ham round out the top 7, but places 7 to 13 are separated by just 6 points. Sheffield United prop up the table and look doomed, while Burnley have moved to within 4 points of safety; Luton Town occupy 18th place, tied on points with Nottingham Forest who have suffered a 4-point deduction, while Everton - who face another looming points deduction - and Brentford are still in the battle to avoid relegation. In the Championship, the race for the title as well as automatic promotion has turned into a three-horse one, as one point separates 1st-placed Ipswich and 2nd-placed Leeds, with another point separating the Whites from 3rd-placed Leicester - the Foxes having fallen off the top of the table for the first time since September following an alarming decline in form, although they have a game in hand over the two sides above them. Southampton are 9 points behind the automatic promotion places although with 2 games in hand - one against Leicester - while West Brom and Norwich round out the top 6. Rotherham will be relegated if they fail to win on Easter Monday, while Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield join them in the bottom 3. Birmingham are outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but with places 16 to 23 separated by 5 points, this year's relegation battle is everything but decided at this point.
5 April 2024:
Rotherham United become the first side in this season's English Football League to suffer relegation following their 1β0 home defeat to
Plymouth Argyle, ending their 2-year stay in the Championship.
6 April 2024: A 2β0 defeat to
Northampton Town relegates
Carlisle United back to League Two after one season in League One.
8 April 2024: Everton suffer another 2 point deduction, making it a total of 8 points deducted this season and in the process becoming the first side in English top-flight history to suffer two points deductions in a single season.
13 April 2024:
Stockport County and
Wrexham become the first sides in this season's Football League to clinch promotion, from League Two to League One, meaning they will be playing League One football after 14 and 19 years respectively - Wrexham winning their 2nd successive promotion.
16 April 2024:
Portsmouth clinch promotion as well as the League One title following a dramatic 3β2 victory over
Barnsley, returning to the Championship after 12 years. In League Two,
Stockport County defeat
Notts County 5β2 to clinch the title with two matches remaining,
Mansfield Town clinch the final automatic promotion spot to League One, returning after a 21 season absence, while
Forest Green Rovers suffer a 2nd successive relegation, returning to the National League after 7 seasons in the Football League.
20 April 2024: A combination of results lead to
Port Vale and
Fleetwood Town both being relegated to League Two, after 2, and 10 years, respectively, in League One.
26 April 2024:
Leicester City become the first side in this year's unpredictable Championship to clinch promotion following
Leeds' 4β0 thrashing away to
Queens Park Rangers, sealing an immediate return to the Premier League - this win securing Championship football next season for the London club. This result means that
Ipswich have their destiny in their own hands to win promotion, as they are 1 point behind Leeds with 2 games in hand over the Whites.
27 April 2024:
Sheffield United become the first team relegated from the Premier League, after a 5β1 loss to
Newcastle United leaves them 10 points adrift from safety, with only 3 matches remaining β this is Sheffield's fourth move between the Premier League and the Championship in 6 seasons. The League One regular season ends with
Derby Countyβs 2β0 win over
Carlisle United sealing second place, and automatic promotion to the Championship, after 2 years in League One, while
Cheltenham Townβs 2β1 loss to
Stevenage relegates them to League Two after 3 seasons in League One. The League Two regular season also draws to a close, with
Sutton United relegated to the National League, after 3 years in the Football League, by a 4β4 draw with
Milton Keynes Dons.