The 2023/24 season may only just have concluded, but clubs’ preparations for 2024/25 are already well under way – particular those involved in European competition.
The first qualifying round draws take place later this month, so here is everything you need to know.
Which JD Cymru Premier clubs are competing in Europe in the 2024/25 season?
After lifting the JD Cymru Premier title for the third consecutive season in 2023/24, The New Saints will once again play in the UEFA Champions League and enter in the first qualifying round.
Second-place side and JD Welsh Cup winners Connah’s Quay Nomads will compete in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round alongside third-place finishers Bala Town and play-off winners Caernarfon Town. The Cofis are preparing for their first ever European campaign.
When are the draws?
- UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw – Tuesday 18 June (1pm BST)
- UEFA Conference League first qualifying round draw – Tuesday 18 June (3pm BST)
Clubs will also find out their potential second qualifying round opponents the following day.
- UEFA Champions League second qualifying round draw – Wednesday 19 June (11am BST)
- UEFA Conference League second qualifying round draw – Wednesday 19 June (1pm BST)
All draws will be streamed on UEFA.com.
How do the draws work?
Clubs have been divided into groups to narrow down their potential opponents.
Each group includes a set of seeded teams and a set of unseeded teams. Seeding is based on the 2024 UEFA club coefficients.
The New Saints will be seeded in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round draw. If they win their tie, they will progress to the second qualifying round. If they lose their tie, they will move to the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round.
Connah’s Quay Nomads will be seeded in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round draw, while Bala Town and Caernarfon Town will be unseeded. If they win their tie, they will progress to the second qualifying round. If they lose their tie, they will be eliminated from European competition.
The New Saints potential opponents: Hamrun Spartans (Malta), FC Struga (North Macedonia), FK Dečić (Montenegro), KF Egnatia (Albania), UE Santa Coloma (Andorra)
Connah’s Quay Nomads potential opponents: FA Šiauliai (Lithuania), NK Bravo (Slovenia), FK Auda (Latvia), FC UNA Strassen (Luxembourg), Valur (Iceland)
Bala Town potential opponents: FK Žalgiris (Lithuania), Linfield FC (Northern Ireland), Paide Linnameeskond (Estonia), FK Liepaja (Latvia), Derry City (Republic of Ireland)
Caernarfon Town potential opponents: Breiðablik (Iceland), F91 Diddeleng (Luxembourg), SP Tre Penne (San Marino), St Joseph’s FC (Gibraltar), Crusaders FC (Northern Ireland)
When will the games be played?
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round will be played on Tuesday 9 July or Wednesday 10 July. The second leg will be played on Tuesday 16 July or Wednesday 17 July.
The first leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round will be played on Thursday 11 July. The second leg will be played on Thursday 18 July.
The second qualifying round of both competitions will commence the following week, across Tuesday 23 July to Thursday 25 July.
