Using development leagues instead of minor leagues for a promotion and relegation league?

DantheChef · 01-01-2026, 10:37 PM

Has anyone else thought about using multiple development leagues instead of minor leagues? I’m going to have 5 levels of promotion and relegation so I don’t want to deal with minor leagues with that. I think I’ll have a 5 round draft for the top league and IFA throughout. Would having development leagues in addition to a reserve roster work well? Having u18, u21, and u25 development leagues, in addition to a u23 independent would give some good variety I think.

Righty Groove · 01-05-2026, 05:35 PM

That's what I do in my save (kind of).
Based on the English Football League pyramid system.

2 minor leagues only: 18-20 (Juniors) and 21 and over (Reserves)
And independent professional leagues (4 levels in total)

No-draft league

It works well but, in my experience, the AI doesn't handle promotion/relegation well in terms of trying to avoid relegation. It seems programed to "sell" and "tank" when it's towards the bottom of the league, instead of trying to buy and avoid relegation.

DantheChef · 01-05-2026, 10:54 PM

Using the minors as a junior and reserve roster is a good idea! I’m just worried about the younger guys getting rocked when they’re facing older players. Though my idea just complicates the reserve roster a lot tbh! I’ll have to see! But yeah, the AI never cooperates!

01-01-2026, 10:37 PM	#1
DantheChef Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2025 Posts: 12	Using development leagues instead of minor leagues for a promotion and relegation league? Has anyone else thought about using multiple development leagues instead of minor leagues? I’m going to have 5 levels of promotion and relegation so I don’t want to deal with minor leagues with that. I think I’ll have a 5 round draft for the top league and IFA throughout. Would having development leagues in addition to a reserve roster work well? Having u18, u21, and u25 development leagues, in addition to a u23 independent would give some good variety I think.

01-05-2026, 05:35 PM	#2
Righty Groove Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 267	That's what I do in my save (kind of). Based on the English Football League pyramid system. 2 minor leagues only: 18-20 (Juniors) and 21 and over (Reserves) And independent professional leagues (4 levels in total) No-draft league It works well but, in my experience, the AI doesn't handle promotion/relegation well in terms of trying to avoid relegation. It seems programed to "sell" and "tank" when it's towards the bottom of the league, instead of trying to buy and avoid relegation.

01-05-2026, 10:54 PM	#3
DantheChef Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2025 Posts: 12	Using the minors as a junior and reserve roster is a good idea! I’m just worried about the younger guys getting rocked when they’re facing older players. Though my idea just complicates the reserve roster a lot tbh! I’ll have to see! But yeah, the AI never cooperates!