In England, non-league football is witnessing golden age support in the last two years, with the National League (England’s highest non-league football level) recording 65,000+ weekly crowds. That’s an average of 3000 spectators per team in all the 23 division teams featured. That might seem like much compared to the huge crowds recorded by elite teams like the Bundesliga, English Premier League, La Liga, League 1, and others.
Despite the relatively small number of fans, non-league football is becoming more fashionable than ever outside England. That’s because lower leagues offer the fans a more unique football experience compared to leading clubs and the standard of their game has greatly improved in recent years. Here’s where to look for non-league football games outside England as you wager on various league games using the Betway app.
Non-League Football In Germany
In Germany, the Regionalliga is the main source of non-league football. This semi-professional league stands behind the Liga (Germany’s lowest full professional soccer league) and is divided into 5 regional divisions. That includes the Regionalliga Nord, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga West, Regionalliga Bayern, and Regionalliga Sudwest.
Most of the teams in the five divisions of this football competition are professional franchises with budgets leading to millions of euros in the hopes of qualifying for league football. However, only the top teams in the Regionalliga West and Sudwest are promoted for the Liga football competition. The third direct promotion spot goes to Regionalliga Bayern, while Nord and Nordost winners go against each other in a promotion playoff.
Non-League Football In Spain
While La Liga is the most popular league for soccer Betway punters looking to wager on Spanish soccer games, the country has a lot more to offer fans. Football fans can enjoy games from the newly created Royal Spanish Football Federation, a semi-professional division placed below the Segunda Division.
Besides enjoying matches in semi-professional competitions, football fans can enjoy matches in the King’s Cup (popularly known as the Copa del Rey). This annual knockout competition features 126 teams and it’s among the oldest non-league competitions played on the national level. Additionally, football fans can watch the Spanish Super Cup, a championship that features the winners and runners-up of the Copa del Rey and the La Liga.
Non-League Football in France
Coupe de France is the main source of non-league football entertainment developed by the country’s football federation. The tournament features 8,506 teams, with the final hosted by the Stade de France and the champion qualifies for the UEFA Europa League group stage. Additionally, the winner gets a spot for the Trophee des Champions match.
The Trophee des Champions features the winners of the Coupe de France and Ligue 1, making it the equivalent of the Super Cups in other countries. As such, the competition only features two teams, with Paris Saint-Germain being the most successful club in its 27 years of existence. However, the match is hosted at the beginning or in the middle of the following season and played in various venues.
