UPDATED: Neutral venues will no longer host semi-finals in FAW cup competitions
NEWPORT, WALES - 28 APRIL 2024: The Welsh Cup during 2023/24 JD FAW Welsh Cup Final fixture between Connah's Quay Nomads F.C & The New Saints F.C at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales. (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
The FAW can confirm that neutral venues will no longer host semi-final ties in any of the association’s cup competitions from the 2026/27 season.
As per competition rules, semi-final ties will now be played at the venue of the club drawn at home. The rule has been implemented following significant research and a successful trial in the Arena Projects Youth Cup and Bute Energy U16s Cup in the 2025/26 season.
The decision has been taken to help clubs attract stronger crowds, create memorable matchdays and support clubs in generating revenue.
The FAW claims: “Historically, neutral semi-final matches have attracted smaller attendances than comparative league matches. For example, the average men’s Welsh Cup semi-final attendance in the last three seasons has been 272, 42% lower than the average Novira Cymru Premier attendance for the same period.“
NOTE
In making the above point, the FAW obviously did not take into account last season’s men’s Welsh Cup semi final attendances, which were: 2061 at neutral Colwyn Bay for Rhyl v Caernarfon Town and 1604 at Llandudno for Flint v Bangor 1876.
However, the semi-finals of 2023-24 and 2024-25 were a different story: In 2023-24, 270 were at Llandudno for Connah’s Quay v Bala and a measly 137 were at Latham Park, Newtown for Cardiff Met v The New Saints. Then in 2024-25, 246 were at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, for Cambrian United v The New Saints and 201 attended the same venue for Connah’s Quay v Llanelli Town.
Therefore, semi-final attendances will be determined more by who is playing in them rather than the venue.
The FAW continued:
“Therefore, it is hoped that removing neutral venues will maximise crowd numbers and create an enhanced product image for potential broadcast and commercial purposes.
“The change will allow the funding ringfenced for these matches to be repurposed into enhanced prize money for various Welsh domestic competitions in both the men’s and women’s game.
“As part of the transition period, the away club in each semi-final tie in the FAW Welsh Cup and Bute Energy Welsh Cup will receive £1,000 to ensure they are compensated for not having the opportunity to be at home and generate income. “