The first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs on Saturday 28 February as The New Saints take on Barry Town United in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final at the DragonBet Stadium in Bridgend (KO 17:30).
Here is all the pre-match insight to get you ready for the final.
2026 Nathaniel MG Cup Final
The season so far
The New Saints are on the brink of their record 18th – and fifth consecutive – JD Cymru Premier title as they currently sit 15 points clear at the top of the table with six league games remaining. Craig Harrison’s side have won their last six matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two in that run.
While the Saints won the domestic treble last season, that is beyond their grasp this time around after they suffered a dramatic stoppage time defeat to Cardiff Met in the third round of the JD Welsh Cup.
Barry have secured a spot in the JD Cymru Premier top half for the first time since 2021 and currently sit sixth in the table but are only four points behind third-place Penybont. The Linnets head into the Final after securing back-to-back league wins for the first time this season over Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Andy Legg’s side will be hoping to avoid any further cup heartache after they were beaten by JD Cymru North side Rhyl 1879 in the JD Welsh Cup Quarter-Finals last month.
Road to the Final
TNS began the campaign with an emphatic 7-1 home win over Airbus UK Broughton in Round Two, before Isaac Jefferies starred with a brace in a 3-1 victory away against Connah’s Quay Nomads in Round Three.
Caernarfon Town were brushed aside by the Saints in the Quarter-Finals as Jack Nadin scored twice in a 3-0 home win, before JD Cymru North leaders Llandudno posed a stern Semi-Final test but first half goals from Dan Williams and Jordan Williams were just enough to secure a 2-1 victory at Park Hall.
Barry knocked out last season’s runners-up Aberystwyth Town in Round Two as Callum Sainty’s late goal earned a 2-1 win at Park Avenue. Substitute Ieuan Owen netted the only goal as the Linnets triumphed 1-0 at home over Llanelli Town in Round Three.
Owen came off the bench again to score away at Haverfordwest County in the Quarter-Finals, following up Morgan Wigley’s penalty in a 2-0 win. A trip to JD Cymru South leaders Cambrian United awaited in the Semi-Finals, but Will Richards, Ollie Hulbert and Ben Margetson all found the net in a 3-0 victory.
Nathaniel MG Cup record
TNS have lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup a record 11 times and are the current holders, following a 1-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town in last season’s final at Latham Park. The last time the Saints lost a match in this competition was in August 2022 against Connah’s Quay Nomads, while their only previous defeat in a final came in 2013 against Carmarthen Town.
Barry are the second-most successful side in the competition’s history, having lifted the trophy on four previous occasions – all in consecutive years from 1997 to 2000. The Linnets have been runners-up in two further seasons since then, mostly recently when they were beaten in the final by TNS in 2017.
Head-to-head
The two sides have already met three times in the JD Cymru Premier this season, with a goalless draw at Jenner Park in August preceding 4-0 and 1-0 wins at Park Hall for TNS.
The Saints are unbeaten in their last 16 matches against Barry, a run stretching back to September 2019 when an Evan Press strike secured a 1-0 victory for the Linnets at Park Hall.
Players to watch
Jordan Williams – The New Saints
Now in his fifth season at Park Hall, Jordan Williams has already ensured that this is the best scoring campaign of his career after notching 25 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions so far. The 33-year-old bagged what proved to be the winner in TNS’ 2-1 Semi-Final victory over Llandudno in December.
Robbie Willmott – Barry Town United
As you might expect for a player with over 200 English Football League appearances to his name, Robbie Willmott oozes class in midfield for Barry. Still pulling the strings at 35 years old, the ex-Newport County man has four goals and 10 assists so far this season and may provide the quality needed to unlock the TNS defence.
Match officials
Referee: Rob Jenkins
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Bird
Assistant Referee 2: Steffan Davies
Fourth Official: Siôn Davies
The venue
The DragonBet Stadium in Bridgend, home of JD Cymru Premier side Penybont FC, will host the Nathaniel MG Cup Final for the second time after also doing so in 2022 when Connah’s Quay Nomads defeated Cardiff Met in an epic penalty shootout.
Ticket information
All seating is unreserved. Tickets are still available to be bought online by clicking here, for the following prices (plus booking fee):
Adults – £8.00
Young Adults (17-21) – £5.00
Seniors (65+) – £5.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £3.00
All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app. Tickets will then be available to buy on the gate on matchday for increased prices:
Adults – £12.00
Young Adults (17-21) – £8.00
Seniors (65+) – £8.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00
Television coverage
The Nathaniel MG Cup Final will be live on S4C, alongside BBC iPlayer, S4C Clic and Sgorio’s YouTube channel. Coverage will be begin at 17:00, with Welsh language commentary and English language commentary both available.
