Does VAR exist in the National League?

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is a technology-aided system that uses video footage to assist football referees in making decisions on ‘clear and obvious errors’ involving goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

A VAR team, consisting of a video assistant referee, an assistant and a replay operator, monitors the game from a video operation room, reviewing footage from various camera angles around the stadium.

If the VAR team spot a potential ‘clear and obvious error’, then they will communicate with the on-field referee via an earpiece. Then, the referee can stop play and make a decision based on the VAR’s recommendation or review the footage on a pitchside monitor.

Following extensive trials, VAR was first included in the Laws of the Game in the 2018/19 season, but is it used in the National League?

 

Is VAR used in the National League?

VAR was introduced to the Premier League for the 2019/20 campaign after clubs unanimously voted to have it installed in November 2018.

However, the technology has not yet filtered down to the National League, nor has it even been introduced to the EFL (English Football League) regular season matches.

Although VAR is used in the EFL play-off finals, which take place at Wembley Stadium, it is not used in the National League play-off final, despite it being held at the home of the England national team.

As the fifth tier is not under the jurisdiction of the EFL, VAR is not currently used in the play-off final; however, that could change in the future.

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Why doesn't the National League use VAR?

The cost of implementing and maintaining a VAR system is extremely high and therefore unfeasible for the National League. Beyond the actual technology, there are the wages for the officiating team required to operate it.

Unlike the Premier League stadiums, the National League grounds are not equipped to set up VAR. The system requires specific camera angles and technical infrastructure that is standard in the top flight.

By implementing VAR in the top tier of the Non-League, it would also require more officials, which would then have a knock-on effect further down the footballing pyramid. While that would create more jobs, it could impact the quality of on-field officiating and would require training for all involved.

Which competitions in England currently use VAR?

As it stands, the Premier League is the only division in English football to use VAR for all of its fixtures throughout the 38-match season, with the hub located at Stockley Park.

Beyond the top flight, neither the Championship, League One, nor League Two utilise the technology apart from all three play-off finals, which take place at the home of football. VAR has been used for these high-stakes occasions since 2022.

During the 2024-25 season, VAR had a significant influence on the outcome of the Championship play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United, with the Blades having a goal chalked off with the score at 1-0. The Black Cats then came from behind to win 2-1.

In January 2018, the FA Cup was the first competition in English football to use VAR, as it was in operation in the third round tie between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. Last season, the technology was only used from the fifth round onwards.

As for the Carabao Cup, VAR is only guaranteed to be used in the final at Wembley Stadium, while all other rounds are at the jurisdiction of the EFL. Any decision to use the technology in prior rounds is made on a situational basis, but it can only be utilised if all hosting grounds have VAR capabilities. For example, if a lower-league side without the VAR capabilities were to reach the semi-finals, then the technology could not be used in any of the games.

Since its inception in 2018, the use of VAR has changed in several ways to improve its efficiency, but there are still regular debates around its effectiveness. While it may reach the National League at some point, several hurdles prevent its use in the fifth tier.

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