September 30 – The Football Association of Wales has confirmed a new structure for the JD Cymru Premier league for the 2026/27 season onwards, in a ‘major overhaul’ that will completely change the complexion of Wales’ top tier league.
This marks the first step of the FAW’s six-year strategy to make it more competitive on and off the field as it reformats both the league and its calendar.
Boosting commercial revenues is a key objective alongside increasing average match attendances, improving the quality and balance of on-pitch performance.
The plan was unveiled in April this year and will see the FAW invest £6 million in the league, eventually moving to play the bulk of its league matches on Friday nights, with the bold intention of moving the whole schedule to Fridays for the 2026/27 season.
Starting in the 2026/27 season, the JD Cymru Premier will undergo a number of changes, most notably expanding from 12 to 16 teams.
As standard, each team will play home and away but its not until after 30 matches that it begins to get complicated and the new format comes into play.
Under the new format, once the 30 matchdays of the regular season are complete, the league will split into three groups.
The first group is the Championship Race, featuring the top six. The teams will play once more, with the top team after 35 matches crowned champions. Teams ranked 2nd to 6th will enter the European qualification play-offs.
Next is the European Challenger group comprised of 7th to 10th place. These teams will play again, with the 7th-placed team earning the final spot in the European play-offs.
Finally there’s the Survival Zone (11th to 16th): The bottom six teams will also play once more. The 15th and 16th-placed teams will be automatically relegated, while the 14th-placed team will face a relegation play-off against the runner-up from either the JD Cymru North or South for a spot in next season’s league.
Jack Sharp, FAW Head of Domestic Leagues, said: “It was important that a structure could be identified that allows our clubs to flourish, the FAW to work towards the outcomes of the JD Cymru Premier strategy and have a top-flight league which the country can be proud of.
“An analytical, data-driven process was run to thoroughly analyse the best league structure through the lens of guiding principles. We have built a model where connection is at the heart of our league as we strive to create a more accessible, exciting and engaging JD Cymru Premier.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732343403labto1732343403ofdlr1732343403owedi1732343403sni@g1732343403niwe.1732343403yrrah1732343403