Rochdale kept their promotion hopes alive with a dramatic 99th-minute winner against Braintree Town. The season ends with a home match between the two sides, where the winner secures automatic promotion. Only one team is guaranteed promotion despite the high points totals.
The National League launched the 3UP campaign in 2025 to secure a third promotion spot, supported by all 72 clubs and the Football Supporters' Association. Since the 2002/03 season, only six out of 23 second-placed teams have won promotion via the play-offs.