The new Novira Cymru Leagues season gets underway this weekend, with plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air. Here are the key games to watch.
Novira Cymru Premier – Barry Town United vs Cambrian United (Friday, 7:45pm)
Newly-promoted Cambrian United begin their first ever Novira Cymru Premier campaign with a trip to face Barry Town United at Jenner Park on Friday night.
Cambrian were involved in a thrilling Novira Cymru South title race with fellow top-flight newcomers Trefelin for much of last season. Although they narrowly missed out on the trophy, the Rhondda side’s primary aim of securing promotion was achieved in convincing fashion. Liam Williams’ men head into their debut top-flight campaign unbeaten in their last 20 league matches, while star striker Liam Eason, who scored 19 league goals last season, will be hoping to carry that form into a new chapter for the Cam Army.
Barry equalled their best ever table finish by claiming third-place in the Novira Cymru Premier last season before their campaign concluded with a penalty shootout loss to Haverfordwest County in the European Play-Off semi-finals. Steve Jenkins’ side also enjoyed domestic cup success by lifting the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Attacking duo Ieuan Owen and Ollie Hulbert, who scored a combined 40 goals for Barry in all competitions last season, have now departed Jenner Park, but the Linnets will still be hopeful they can challenge in the top six once again.
The most recent meeting between these two sides came in last season’s Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals as Barry secured a comfortable 3-0 away win. Barry then defeated The New Saints 2-0 in February’s final to claim their first major trophy in 23 years.
Barry Town United vs Cambrian United
Novira Cymru Premier – Penybont vs The New Saints (Sunday, 2:30pm)
Reigning Novira Cymru Premier champions The New Saints begin their defence of the title against fellow European participants Penybont at the DragonBet Stadium on Sunday.
The Saints return to domestic action after their UEFA Champions League campaign ended with a 4-1 aggregate defeat to FK Sabah, while their UEFA Conference League may also be over as they trail Flora Tallinn 1-0 with the second leg being played tonight (30 July). An impressive 11 wins from 12 games at the turn of the year saw TNS storm to a record-extending 18th league title and they are the clear favourites to lift the trophy once again.
The signing of Rhys Hughes from last season’s closest title challengers Connah’s Quay Nomads, former Oldham Athletic defender Dynel Simeu and returning forward Brad Young are the eye-catching additions to Craig Harrison’s squad.
Last season’s European Play-Off winners Penybont suffered a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Andorra’s FC Santa Coloma in the UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round earlier this month, so Rhys Griffiths’ new-look side, which features 11 summer arrivals, will be seeking improvements against the champions on the opening weekend.
Saints scored 16 goals across all four league wins against Bont last season. The 2025/26 Novira Cymru Premier Player of the Season Jordan Williams scored five goals in those victories, including a hat-trick in October’s 6-2 thrashing.
Penybont vs The New Saints
Novira Cymru North – Bangor 1876 vs Bala Town (Friday, 8pm)
Two of the Novira Cymru North title favourites are set to face each other on the opening day as Bangor 1876 host Bala Town at the Bangor City Stadium on Friday night.
Bangor secured an immediate return to the Novira Cymru North by winning the Ardal North West by a 14-point margin, while also scoring over 100 goals and losing just one league game. With Bangor’s large following, which attracted crowds of over 1,000 fans on three occasions last season, and an exciting squad, led by former TNS striker Declan McManus, Mike Johnston’s side are expected to be at the top end of the table and mount another promotion push.
Bala are preparing for their first campaign in the second tier for 18 years after suffering relegation from the Novira Cymru Premier last season. Bala have retained the majority of his squad and has also strengthened their ranks this summer, making Steve Fisher’s side the current favourites to lift the title. New attacking trio Jamie Cumming, Mike Hayes and Craig Lindfield are expected to be amongst the goals as the Lakesiders aim to secure an immediate return to the top-flight.
The last meeting between these two sides came in the 2021/22 Nathaniel MG Cup, where Bala won 8-7 in a thrilling penalty shootout following a goalless draw at Nantporth.
Novira Cymru South – Pontardawe Town vs Caerphilly Athletic (Saturday, 2:30pm)
The Novira Cymru South opening weekend offers a meeting between two newly-promoted sides as Pontardawe Town host Caerphilly Athletic at Parc Ynysderw on Saturday afternoon.
Pontardawe confirmed their return to the second tier after two seasons away with a 2-0 win over Cwmbran Town in the Ardal Southern Play-Off final in May. Steve Berry has traded the captain’s armband for the manager role and he will lead an exciting young squad who had the best defence in the Ardal South West last season, keeping 11 clean sheets.
Caerphilly pipped Cwmbran Town to the Ardal South East title by just one point to secure back-to-back promotions. The A’s scored a staggering 98 league goals last season, but Iwan John, who scored 36 of those, has now departed for Merthyr Town. Izaac Follon will now lead the line for Ian Butterworth’s side following his transfer from Caerau Ely and experience in midfield is not an issue for Caerphilly as 34-year-old Liam Reed joins from Carmarthen Town.
Only two Novira Cymru South teams have finished in the top half in their first season following promotion – Trethomas Bluebirds (2nd in 2024/25) and Cardiff Draconians (7th in 2025/26), while six promoted teams have suffered immediate relegation in their first season back in the second tier since the division was formed in 2019.
