The FAW Men’s Tier 3 First Instance Body met on 12 & 13 May to consider the Tier 3 Licensing Applications for the 2026/27 season.
The Panel assessed 120 applicants for the men’s Tier 3 Certification. Ninety-three of the 120 applications for a Tier 3 licence have been successful, including 61 of the current Ardal North and Ardal South clubs and 31 clubs in Tier 4.
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
- Sporting: Youth & Coaching
- Infrastructure
- Personnel & Administration
- Legal
The FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the Ardal North & Ardal South for the 2026/27 season.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards.
Following today’s meeting, the independent First Instance Body has decided on the following:
Awarded Tier 3 Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (93 clubs)
Existing Tier 2 clubs, following a Tier 2 Licence refusal:
- Pontypridd United
Existing Tier 3 North clubs:
- Bethesda Athletic
- Bow Street
- Builth Wells
- Cefn Albion
- Connah’s Quay Town
- CPD Bangor City 1876
- CPD Llannefydd
- CPD Pwllheli
- CPD Rhos Aelwyd
- CPD Y Felinheli
- Dolgellau AA
- Kerry
- Knighton Town
- Llandrindod Wells
- Llanfair United
- Llangefni Town
- Llangollen Town
- Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant
- Llanrwst United
- Llanuwchllyn
- Llay Miners Welfare
- Mynydd Isa
- NFA
- Penmaenmawr Phoenix
- Penycae
- Porthmadog
- Prestatyn Town
- Radnor Valley
- St Asaph City
Existing Tier 3 South clubs:
- Abercarn United
- Abergavenny Town
- Abertillery Bluebirds
- AFC Llwydcoed
- Blaenavon Blues
- Brecon Corries
- Caerphilly Athletic
- Caldicot Town
- Canton
- Cardiff Airport
- Cardiff Corinthians
- Cefn Cribwr
- Chepstow Town
- Clydach
- Croesyceiliog
- Cwmbran Town
- Evans & Williams
- Goytre
- Goytre United
- Lliswerry
- Morriston Town
- Penrhiwceiber Rangers
- Pontardawe Town
- Pure Swansea
- Risca United
- Seven Sisters Onllwyn
- South Gower
- Taffs Well
- Tredegar Town
- Treherbert Boys and Girls
- Undy
- Ynysygerwn
Existing Tier 4 South Wales FA clubs:
- Bridgend Street
- Clwb Cymric
- Llantwit Fardre
- Penydarren BGC
- Pontyclun
- Porthcawl Town Athletic
- Port Talbot Town
- Treharris Athletic Western
Existing Tier 4 West Wales FA clubs:
- Cwmamman United
- Garden Village
- Mumbles Rangers
Existing Tier 4 Gwent County FA clubs:
- Abertillery Excelsiors
- Monmouth Town
- Newport Corinthians
- Newport Saints
- New Inn
- Rogerstone
- RTB Ebbw Vale
Existing Tier 4 Central Wales FA clubs:
- Carno
- Four Crosses
- Llansantffraid Village
- Rhayader Town
Existing Tier 4 North East Wales FA clubs:
- Broughton United
- Hawarden Rangers
- Saltney Town
Existing Tier 4 North Wales Coast FA clubs:
- Conwy Borough
- CPD Nefyn United
- CPD Y Glannau
- Kinmel Bay
- Menai Bridge Tigers
- Nantlle Vale
Refused FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence for 2026/27 season (18 clubs)
Existing Tier 3 clubs:
- Corwen – Refused on Personnel
- Lex XI – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Trearddur Bay – Refused on Personnel
Existing Tier 4 clubs:
- Berriew – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Coedpoeth United – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- FC Cwmaman – Refused on Personnel
- FC Queens Park – Refused on Infrastructure & Legal
- Ffostrasol – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
- Forden United – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Greenfield – Refused on Personnel
- Gwalchmai – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Machynlleth – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Marshfield – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Mochdre Sports – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Penlan – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Rhostyllen – Refused on Personnel
- Rockspur – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
- Talysarn Celts – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence Applications for 2026/2027 season (9 clubs)
- Aber Valley
- Barmouth & Dyffryn United
- Calsonic Kansei Swiss Valley
- CPD Llansannan
- CPD Penrhyndeudraeth
- Glantraeth
- Llanidloes Town
- Pontarddulais Town
- Waterloo Rovers
The FIB Panel extended its congratulations to those clubs successful in attaining Tier 3 licence.
Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have 10 days in which to submit an appeal.
