The key National League 2020-21 play-off dates Hartlepool United, Sutton, Torquay, Notts County, Stockport, Chesterfield, Wrexham could have to look out for with Wembley Stadium final unlikely

At least a dozen teams are still fighting for a top seven spot and a chance at promotion to the Football League via the play-offs.

Hartlepool United currently sit top of the pile with 64 points but have played at two games more than any other side in the top seven.

Just below Pools sit Sutton United on 63 points after 32 games and Torquay on 63 points after 33 games.

Stockport County, Chesterfield, Notts County and Wrexham make up the play-off places as it stands but you could go as low as 15th place Maidenhead when looking at all the potential contenders for a play-off finish.

The play-off format in the National League changed for the 2017-18 season to allow teams finishing in sixth and seventh to compete with two-legged semi-finals removed in favour of one off matches and an eliminator round.

Here are the key dates to look out for for each round of play-off matches...

When will the National League play-offs take place?

Eliminator round matches: fourth v seventh and fifth v sixth

The first round of play-off matches will see the sides finishing fourth to seventh compete with the highest ranked team playing at home in front of a limited crowd.

These matches will take place the weekend of Saturday, June 5 with both matches being shown live on BT Sport.

The fixture dates remain flexible based on the logistics of the BT Sport schedule. Specific times and dates will be ratified once the teams competing have been confirmed.

Semi-final matches: second v winner of fifth v sixth eliminator round match and third v winner of fourth v seventh eliminator round match

The semi-final matches will introduce the sides finishing second and third as they host the winners of the eliminator round matches for a place in the play-off final.

These fixtures are set to take place on the weekend of Saturday, June 12 and will be broadcast live on BT Sport. As with the previous round, fixtures remain flexible based on the BT Sport schedule.

Final match: Semi-final winner v Semi-final winner

The National League play-off final is set to take place on the weekend of Saturday, June 19 according to the National League.

The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport with the winners going on the secure a place in the EFL for the 2021-22 season.

Where will the National League play-off final take place?

The venue for the play-off final is yet to be confirmed. The usual venue of Wembley Stadium cannot be guaranteed due to the stadium hosting Euro 2020 matches for England on June 13, June 18 and June 22.

A number of potential venues have been mooted, including unconfirmed reports of Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.

Fans are set to be allowed back into all sports stadiums from May 17 with Wembley due to welcome 21,000 fans for the FA Cup final on May 15.

There has been no clarification regarding how many supporters, if any, will be allowed to attend the play-off final this season.

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