Non-League Football in Wales
WALES’S national pyramid is topped by the JD Cymru Premier (tier 1), fed by Cymru North and Cymru South (tier 2), with the Ardal Leagues at tier 3, then area leagues below. A handful of Welsh clubs (Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham, Newport County and Merthyr Town) play in the English system – they don’t feature in the Welsh pyramid’s European qualification.
Merthyr Town FC, based at their historical home of Penydarren Park and a 100 per cent fan-owned community club, are regarded as south Wales’s premier non-league team. In season 2024/25, the club were crowned champions of the Southern League Premier Division and currently play in the National League North, the sixth tier of the English football league system.
The JD Cymru Premier (2025–26 is its 34th season) currently consists of 12 clubs, but from 2026–27 the league expands to 16.
The first phase of the season covers 22 matches; then the league is split into Championship (top 6) & Play‑Off (bottom 6) for Phase 2; total 32 matches per club.
The league contains a mix of full‑time clubs, notably The New Saints, and semi‑professional clubs. University sides, such as Cardiff Met, and community club models remain a hallmark. Winter pitches are now predominantly hybrid/3G at several grounds.
2025–26 at a glance
- Tier 1 (JD Cymru Premier) clubs (12): Bala Town, Barry Town United, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Caernarfon Town, Cardiff Met, Colwyn Bay, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Flint Town United, Haverfordwest County, Llanelli Town, Penybont, The New Saints (TNS).
- Format change coming: The league expands to 16 clubs in 2026–27. For 2025–26, the bottom two are relegated; three promoted from each of Cymru North & South (subject to licence) to make up the 16. Tier-3 promotion/relegation is adjusted this season to support that expansion.
- Broadcast/coverage: Live games and highlights continue on S4C’s Sgorio throughout the season.
Europe: how Welsh clubs qualify
For 2025–26, Wales has three European places: 1 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and 2 in the UEFA Conference League (UECL). The UCL spot goes to the champions; UECL spots go to league placings/Welsh Cup + European play-off as applicable. This season’s entrants are:
The New Saints (UCL) – Champions, entered at the First Qualifying Round, losing 2-1 on aggregate to KF Shkëndij. After the first leg ended goalless at Park Hall, Fabrice Tamba struck to give the North Macedonian side the lead in the return, but Jordan Williams levelled against the run of play. Shkendija finally settled a tight second leg with Jack Bodenham conceding an own goal with four minutes of extra time remaining to secure a 2-1 win. TNS continued in Europe, however, with the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Conference League, only to be eliminated after a 2-0 aggregate loss to FC Differdange 03.
Penybont (UECL) – Runners-up; met FK Kauno Žalgiris in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Conference and managed a home draw, 1-1, at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, but they had already been left with too much to do by a 3-0 reverse in Lithuania, going out 4-1 on aggregate.
Haverfordwest County (UECL) – Qualified via the European play-off; like Penybont, Haverfordwest fell at the first hurdle, a First Qualifying Round tie against Floriana.
Nine-man County were beaten 3-2 at home to the Maltese side Floriana in a bad-tempered contest at Parc y Scarlets. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Haverfordwest seized control of the tie in a dominant opening spell, with Greg Walters scoring from a corner and Ben Ahmun finishing stylishly to give them the aggregate advantage. But Haverfordwest’s early joy gave way to frustration on a night when boss Tony Pennock and two of his players were sent off, as Haverfordwest crashed out 5-3 on aggregate.
JD Cymru Premier clubs (2025–26)
- Bala Town — Maes Tegid, Bala.
- Barry Town United — Jenner Park, Barry.
- Briton Ferry Llansawel — Old Road, Briton Ferry.
- Caernarfon Town — The Oval, Caernarfon.
- Cardiff Met — Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff.
- Colwyn Bay — Four Crosses Construction Arena, Colwyn Bay.
- Connah’s Quay Nomads — Deeside Stadium, Connah’s Quay.
- Flint Town United — The Essity Stadium, Flint.
- Haverfordwest County — Ogi Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest.
- Llanelli Town — Stebonheath Park, Llanelli.
- Penybont — SDM Glass Stadium, Bridgend.
- The New Saints (TNS) — Park Hall, Oswestry.