Exciting aye! JD Cymru Premier promotion and relegation system confirmed for 2025/26 season

Six Tier 2 clubs are set to be promoted to the JD Cymru Premier at the end of next season as part of FAW plans to expand the Welsh top flight membership to 16.

The current 12-team make-up of the Cymru Premier, which has existed since 2010-11, will be increased by four in 2026-27.

At the end of 2025-26, the 11th and 12th place CPL clubs will be relegated and replaced by the top three from both Cymru North/South, provided they meet the criteria.

The FAW released the following statement today: “Ahead of the expansion of the JD Cymru Premier in the 2026/27 season, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has confirmed the relegation and promotion system for the 2025/26 campaign.

“In September 2024, it was announced that the JD Cymru Premier will increase from its current 12-team format to a 16-team competition for the start of the 2026/27 season.

“To facilitate this transition, the FAW has carefully considered a range of options to ensure a smooth and equitable progression to the expanded format.

“The FAW National Leagues Board has confirmed that the clubs who finish 11th and 12th in the JD Cymru Premier in the 2025/26 season will be relegated to the JD Cymru North/South.

“The top three clubs (First, Second and Third place finishers) from both the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South in the 2025/26 season will be promoted to the JD Cymru Premier, subject to meeting Tier 1 licensing requirements.

“In order to significantly develop the number of Tier 1 licensed clubs, the FAW has established a future growth fund designed for Tier 2 clubs to access.”