National Disability Football Championships return to Aberystwyth for second year

The second Welsh Disability Football Championships took place on 7^th June at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue. 

The festival brought together the three Regional Disability Football Leagues in Wales (North, South and West) with teams grouped based on their players’ mobility, skill and tactical ability to ensure fair competition. Teams competed across four tiers, the ‘Champions League’, ‘Premiership 1’, ‘Premiership 2’ and ‘Championship’.

The Champions League competition kicked off with a tight round-robin stage, during which every team achieved victory over at least one other side. Sandfields eventually prevailed, defending the title they won at the 2025 festival, overcoming Graig Villa Dino Angels and newcomers Newtown AFC, who only formed a side in recent months.

Premiership 1 featured high drama with penalty shoot-outs taking place in several games. Following the group stage, Ammanford defeated debutants Wrexham in the first-semi final whilst Mental Health Football Wales (MHFW) defeated Sandfields on penalties in the to reach the final, and it was MHFW who clinched victory over Ammanford to win the title.

Teams who were knocked out of Premiership 1 in the group phase entered the Premiership 2 competition. With a 2-1 win in the final, Llandudno Football in the Community beat 2025 Premiership 1 champions Aberystwyth Town to become the first north Wales disability side to win a national tournament.

Aberystwyth Town also reached the final of the Championship competition, losing out to north Wales opposition once again in the shape of Caernarfon.

With CPD Seren Ffestiniog and Wrexham making their debuts at national festival in 2026, and Llandudno Football in the Community and Caernarfon winning competitions, sides from north Wales enjoyed success at this year’s festival.

The festival also provided opportunities for young players with Baglan Dragons making their national debut in the youth event. Wrexham AFC Foundation beat current South champions Margam Inclusion Stags to win the U16 title whilst non-competitive U12 matches gave players from the U9-U12 age groups the chance to take part.