Cymru Premier: Which clubs are confirmed for next season?

The Cymru Premier is beginning to take shape for the 2026/27 season following the recent Tier One Licence decisions.

The FAW confirmed last week which clubs have secured the necessary licences to compete in the top flight. With the 2025/26 campaign drawing to a close this week, attention is already turning to what next season’s line-up could look like.

The division will expand from 12 to 16 teams next season, bringing a significant change to the league format. Below are the 12 teams confirmed, with the future of the four remaining spots to be decided.

Cymru Premier 2026/27 (provisional line-up)

Airbus UK Broughton

Barry Town United

Briton Ferry Llansawel

Caernarfon Town

Cambrian United

Cardiff Met

Connah’s Quay Nomads

Haverfordwest County

Llandudno

Penybont

The New Saints

Trefelin BGC

Colwyn Bay were refused a licence on the grounds of personnel and administration. They now face two appeals: one for the Tier One Licence, which would allow them to retain their top-flight status, and another for a UEFA Licence, which would enable participation in the end-of-season play-offs for a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.

Bala Town, who are currently battling for survival, were also refused a licence on personnel and administration grounds. They face a crucial fixture against Briton Ferry Llansawel, who are chasing the final play-off spot. Regardless of the result, Bala Town must still win their appeal to secure their place in next season’s Cymru Premier.

Flint Town United have secured a Tier One Licence but remain in a battle to avoid relegation. The Silkmen suffered a 3–0 defeat to Caernarfon Town and must now respond by matching or bettering Bala Town’s result when they travel to face Cardiff Met.

In the Cymru North, Holywell Town are guaranteed a top-three finish after Llandudno secured the title and Airbus UK Broughton were confirmed as runners-up. However, Holywell, known as the Wellmen, does not hold a Tier One Licence after failing on personnel and administration criteria, and must be successful on appeal.

Newtown, currently fifth, have secured a licence, but promotion is not an option for them under the current circumstances. A potential reprieve elsewhere in the system appears more likely, although Bala Town’s own licence issues complicate that.

In contrast, the Cymru South picture is clearer, though not without its own hurdles. Cambrian United and Trefelin are battling for the title but have already secured promotion. Ammanford are best placed to join them, sitting third and knowing they must at least match their result against Cwmbran Celtic, while Caerau Ely travel to Llantwit Major.

Cwmbran Celtic claimed their first win of the season at the 29th attempt against Aberystwyth Town, proving that surprises are still possible. However, Caerau Ely, nicknamed the Young Guns, failed the Tier One Licence process on financial grounds, adding a slight layer of uncertainty to the promotion picture.

OSWESTRY, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND - 3rd APRIL 2026 - The New Saints celebrate lifting the JD Cymru Premier Trophy after The New Saints vs Connah's Quay Nomads in Round 9 of the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference at Park Hall, Oswestry — Same prize, but a different way to win the Cymru Premier for The New Saints. (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)

New Cymru Premier format

Under the current system, teams play 22 regular-season matches before the league splits into two groups of six. The top half competes for the title and home advantage in the European play-offs, while the bottom half battles either for the final play-off spot or to avoid relegation.

From the 2026/27 season, the JD Cymru Premier will adopt a new 16-team structure.

Each club will play every other team twice, once at home and once away, across the first 30 matchdays. After this, the league will split into three distinct groups:

Top six – Championship Race:

These teams will play each other once more. The club at the top of the table after Matchday 35 will be crowned champions. Teams finishing second to sixth will qualify for at least the end-of-season European qualification play-offs.
7th to 10th – European Challenger:

These teams will also play each other once more. The team finishing seventh after Matchday 33 will secure the final place in the European qualification play-offs.
11th to 16th – Survival Zone:

These teams will play each other once more to determine relegation. At the end of Matchday 35, the teams finishing 15th and 16th will be automatically relegated. The team in 14th place will enter a relegation play-off.