Who is affected?
Match Attending Supporters of National League football clubs are being impacted by the frequent and short-notice rescheduling of fixtures. Fans who have already booked travel and accommodation are left scrambling to rearrange their plans or risk losing their money. Recent examples include York City’s fixtures against Woking and Forest Green Rovers, where both games were moved to late kick-offs with as little as three weeks’ notice. These changes make it difficult for fans to travel, especially those relying on public transportation, and show a disregard for the financial and emotional investment fans make to follow their clubs.

What is at stake?
If the National League continues to move fixtures with such little notice, more supporters will be priced out of attending games, eroding the core of what makes non-league football special—the loyal fanbase. Without a mandatory notice period similar to the EFL and Premier League, supporters will continue to face avoidable difficulties, which could lead to dwindling attendance and a disconnect between fans and their clubs. On the other hand, implementing a minimum notice period of five weeks would give fans the time they need to plan their trips and ensure that their voices are respected.

Why is now the time to act?
The problem is only getting worse, with key fixtures being rescheduled at the last minute for the sake of broadcast deals. Now is the time to act and demand that the National League implement a five-week minimum notice period to protect the interests of fans. As football faces growing commercialisation, this petition represents an opportunity for supporters to stand together and ensure that their needs are no longer ignored. If we do not act now, the divide between clubs and supporters will only deepen.