The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (8 April) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Men’s Tier 1 applications.
Sixteen of the 30 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 12 of the current JD Cymru Premier clubs and 4 clubs in Tier 2. In addition, 8 of the JD Cymru Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence.
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
- Sporting: Youth & Coaching
- Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Infrastructure
- Legal
- Personnel & Administration
- Financial
The FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the JD Cymru Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a pre-requisite.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level 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 FIB Panel has decided on the following:
Awarded UEFA Men’s Licence for 2025/26 season (8 clubs)
- Bala Town
- Barry Town United
- Caernarfon Town
- Cardiff Met University
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Haverfordwest County
- Penybont
- The New Saints
Refused UEFA Men’s Licence for 2025/26 season (2 clubs)
- Aberystwyth Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
- Newtown – Refused on Personnel
Awarded FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2025/26 season (16 clubs)
- Aberystwyth Town
- Airbus UK Broughton
- Bala Town
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cardiff Met University
- Carmarthen Town
- Colwyn Bay
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Llanelli Town
- Newtown
- Penybont
- The New Saints
Refused FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2025/26 season (14 clubs)
- Ammanford – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
- Baglan Dragons– Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
- Bangor 1876 – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel.
- Buckley Town – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
- Caerau Ely – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
- Cambrian United – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
- Denbigh Town – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
- Holywell Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel.
- Llantwit Major – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
- Newport City – Refused on Sporting, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
- Penrhyncoch – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
- Pontypridd United – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
- Ruthin Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Financial
- Trefelin BGC – Refused on Sporting, Social & Environmental Sustainability, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2025/2026 season (8 clubs)
- Afan Lido
- Cwmbran Celtic
- Goytre United
- Gresford Athletic
- Guilsfield
- Llandudno
- Taffs Well
- Trethomas Bluebirds
The FIB Panel extended its congratulations to those clubs successful in attaining Tier 1 and UEFA licences.
Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have ten days in which to submit an appeal.
In line with the JD Cymru Premier strategy, the FAW has allocated significant investment via the Future Growth Fund for Tier 2 clubs to access over the next 12 months to significantly develop stadium infrastructure to deliver more compliant Tier 1 Clubs for the 2026/27 season league expansion.
The FAW encouraged a record number of Tier 2 clubs to apply for the Tier 1 Licence for the 2025/26 season. A prerequisite to access the Future Growth Fund.
Many clubs had not applied for the Tier 1 Licence previously, so this year acted as a benchmark for clubs to establish an action plan for clubs to meet the Tier 1 Licensing requirements for future seasons.
