The English Conference North Division, currently branded as the National League North, is the northern counterpart to the National League South at the sixth tier of English football. It encompasses clubs from the Midlands, the North of England, and parts of Wales. Like its southern equivalent, it typically features 22 teams in a 42-match season. The league champion wins direct promotion to the National League, with a playoff system involving the next six teams deciding a second promoted club. Relegation sends teams down to the Northern Premier League or other seventh-tier divisions. The National League North is renowned for its tough, physical football, inclement weather challenges, and fiercely loyal supporters. It serves as a vital platform for historic northern clubs and ambitious community teams, with promotion offering a route into the national spotlight and the professional game.