The case
The 2026 deal, and the trapdoor
What actually happened
On 30 July 2026 the Premier League said its clubs had "unanimously voted to approve"
a proposal that would "now be formally offered to the EFL for discussion".
Premier League statement on strategic partnership with EFL. Premier League, 2026-07-30.Source: Premier League
Reporting since has put the headline value at up to £1.5bn over roughly a
decade, funded by raising the levy on Premier League transfer fees from 4% to 6%, and
phased in on a sliding scale rather than paid flat: under £100m in 2026/27,
over £130m the season after, and around £160m a year from year three.
Premier League clubs agree new £1.5bn deal for EFL. Insider Sport, 2026-08-03.Source: Insider Sport
You will see this described in a lot of places as "the Premier League agreed
£1.5bn for the EFL", and as "about £150m a season". Both are loose. The
£150m is an average of a rising scale, and the first season is under
£100m. And the EFL, which said at the time that it "now looks forward to
receiving its formal proposal", has since indicated it considers the terms
insufficient. Premier League agree EFL funding deal which could be worth £1.5bn. City A.M., 2026-07-30.Source: City A.M.
The per-season profile and the levy change come from reporting, not from the Premier League's own statement. They need confirming against the formal proposal when it is published.
How this got here, and where it goes next
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2025
The Football Governance Act 2025 passes
Creating the Independent Football Regulator, with a licensing regime, owner and director tests, and a backstop power over distributions between the leagues. Parachute payments are brought within the backstop's scope by amendment.
Source: Latham & Watkins
Key elements of the Football Governance Act 2025. Latham & Watkins, 2025-01-01.
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Jan 2026
David Kogan confirmed as chair; State of the Game timetable set
A draft State of the Game report is expected later in 2026, with the final report in spring 2027. It is the document most likely to decide whether the distribution question is settled by agreement or imposed.
Source: SportsPro
Football regulator to review parachute payments; State of the Game report timing. SportsPro, 2026-01-20.
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5 May 2026
The regulator's first real powers come into force
Owner and director suitability must now be determined before anyone takes up the role. Clubs need approval before disposing of a home ground or appointing administrators, and must keep supporters informed during insolvency. Competition organisers must notify and consult the regulator.
These are protections against clubs being destroyed. They are not rules about how the game's income is shared.
And the remit itself stops short. Like the solidarity payments, the regulator's reach runs out before it gets to most of non-league. It covers five competitions and no more: the Premier League, the Championship, League One, League Two and the Premier Division of the National League. That is one division of non-league football. Below it sit the rest of the 996 clubs, outside the regulator's remit altogether, which means its backstop power over distributions cannot be used on their behalf. Extending that remit is part of our third ask, alongside writing those clubs into the distribution formula: a payment they are entitled to, and a regulator that can enforce it.
Source: legislation.gov.uk
The Football Governance Act 2025 (Specified Competitions) Regulations 2025. legislation.gov.uk, 2025-11-06.
Source: Lewis Silkin
The Football Governance Act 2025: what came into force on 5 May 2026. Lewis Silkin, 2026-05-08.
Source: legislation.gov.uk
The Football Governance Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026. legislation.gov.uk, 2026-04-29.
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14 May 2026
The FA allocates 996 clubs to Steps 1 to 6
996 clubs across 48 divisions, 19 leagues and six steps, with 132 promoted. This is the population that the settlement being negotiated above them does not mention.
Source: The Football Association
The FA releases National League System club allocations for Steps 1-6 in 2026-27 season. The Football Association, 2026-05-14.
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30 Jul 2026
Premier League clubs approve a proposal to offer the EFL
Unanimous. Up to £1.5bn over about ten years, funded by a higher transfer levy. Formally offered, not agreed. The statement makes no reference to the National League or to anything below the EFL.
Source: Premier League
Premier League statement on strategic partnership with EFL. Premier League, 2026-07-30.
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Next
Agreement, or the backstop
If the two leagues agree, that settlement stands. If they do not, the regulator can be asked to impose one. Either way the terms of the argument are being set now, by two parties, on behalf of 92 clubs.
The trapdoor
Between League Two and the National League there is a promotion place, a play-off, and a change in what a club is worth to the rest of football.
Above it, a club is one of the 72 the EFL negotiates for. Below it, a club is one of 996 that nobody negotiates for. Solidarity payments stop. The settlement being discussed stops. What continues is a grant fund and the Football Foundation, both of which do real work and neither of which is income.
A club relegated out of the EFL does not simply drop a division. It leaves the distribution system. That is the trapdoor, and closing it is what this campaign is for.
This is being decided now
The State of the Game report is drafted this year. A letter to your MP while that is happening is worth more than one after it.