European Qualification
The top 3 Elite Division clubs qualify for the European League Championship annually.
The Pyramid, Division by Division
Every division above the Semi-Pro tier follows the same shape: a champion goes up automatically, four more clubs fight it out in a play-off for a second promotion place, and two clubs go down.
| Division | Automatic promotion | Play-off route | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Division | — (top tier) | — | Bottom 2 → Division 2 |
| Alliance Division 2 | Champions → Elite Division | 2nd–5th play-off winner → Elite Division | Bottom 2 → Division 3 |
| Alliance Division 3 | Champions → Division 2 | 2nd–5th play-off winner → Division 2 | Bottom 2 → Division 4 |
| Alliance Division 4 | Champions → Division 3 | 2nd–5th play-off winner → Division 3 | Bottom club, plus the loser of a play-off between the 24th-placed Division 4 club and the 2nd-placed Semi-Pro Division One club → Alliance Semi-Pro Division One |
All divisional winners, plus the Alliance Semi-Pro Divisions’ winners, are crowned Champions at season’s end.
The Semi-Pro Tier
- The Alliance Semi-Pro Division One champion is promoted to Alliance Division Four.
- Semi-Pro Division One’s 2nd-placed club plays off against the 24th-placed Alliance Division Four club — the winner goes into (or stays in) Division Four, the loser stays in (or returns to) Semi-Pro Division One.
- Bottom 2 of Semi-Pro Division One are relegated to Semi-Pro Division Two.
- Across the remaining Semi-Pro divisions (Two–Four), promotion and relegation is a straightforward 2 up / 2 down each season.
A Recurring Source of Resentment
Elite Division relegation was historically 3 teams, reduced to 2 by a unanimous vote of the 25 Elite clubs — a decision made against the wishes of the other 75 Alliance clubs. It remains a recurring flashpoint between the Elite Division and the wider Alliance.