Women’s football: Good news for Wrexham and Nomads!

Wrexham AFC Women are assured of the right to play in Europe’s top competition next season – if they finish up Adran Premier champions.

The Red Dragons will be crowned Tier 1 title winners if they beat Cardiff City at STōK Cae Ras this Sunday.

That would guarantee Jenny Sugarman’s side entry to the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season.

Today, Wrexham were granted the UEFA Women’s Licence for 2026-27, along with Cardiff City and Swansea City.

And more good news for North Wales is Adran North champions Connah’s Quay Nomads were granted a Tier 1 licence which will qualify them to play in the Adran Premier next term – provided they beat Cardiff Met in an end-of-season play-off next month.

The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (26 March) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Women’s Tier 1 applications.

10 of the 13 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 8 of the current Genero Adran Premier clubs and 2 clubs in Tier 2. In addition, 3 of the Genero Adran Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence. 

Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:

• Sporting
• Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Infrastructure
• Personnel & Administration
• Legal
• Financial

The FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the Genero Adran Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a pre-requisite. 

The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards. 

Following today’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel has decided on the following: 

Awarded the UEFA Women’s Licence for 2026/27 season (3 clubs)

Cardiff City
Swansea City
Wrexham

Awarded the FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (10 clubs)

Aberystwyth Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff City
Cardiff Met University
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Pontypridd United
Swansea City
The New Saints
Wrexham

Refused UEFA Women’s Licence for 2026/27 season (1 club)

Briton Ferry Llansawel – Refused on Financial Criteria.

Refused FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (3 clubs)

Carmarthen Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration, Legal and Financial Criteria.
Cascade YC – Refused on Personnel & Administration Criteria.
Penybont – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure and Financial Criteria.

Withdrawn FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2026/2027 season (1 club)

Cwmbran Celtic