{
  "id": 258180,
  "title": "National League returns - how can it live up to last season's drama?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/national-league-returns-how-can-it-live-up-to-last-seasons-drama",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T07:35:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c78gzlkm0xko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After 104 days since the National League's regular season concluded with a dramatic finish, 24 teams are set to kick off their 2026-27 campaign. In the previous season, Rochdale and York City secured promotion after a tense finish, with Dale and Minstermen celebrating after exchanging goals in injury time. Carlisle United, despite finishing third in the regular season, faced a disappointing home loss to Boreham Wood in the play-offs, starting their second consecutive term in the league. Meanwhile, Boreham Wood are chasing a first-ever promotion to the EFL. Clubs like Southend United, Hartlepool United, Forest Green Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Barrow, and Harrogate Town, have ambitions to challenge for play-off places or higher. For newcomers like Worthing and Hornchurch, the uncertainty of a first season in the fifth tier adds an exciting element to their journey in the National League.",
  "summary": "The National League kicks off on Saturday with a lot to live up to following the most dramatic end to the 2025-26 campaign.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}