The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (8 April) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Men’s Tier 1 applications for the 2026 / 2027 season.
Seventeen of the 34 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 10 of the current JD Cymru Premier clubs and seven clubs in Tier 2. In addition, nine of the JD Cymru Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence.
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
- Sporting: Player Medicals, 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.
During the 2024/25 season the FAW launched the Future Growth Fund, allocating £1.2 million into Tier 2 to ensure clubs finishing in the top three positions in the 2025/26 season had the financial support to develop their infrastructure to attain Tier 1 standards.
Following today’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel has decided on the following:
Awarded UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (9 clubs)
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cardiff Met
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Penybont
- The New Saints
Refused UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (2 clubs)
- Colwyn Bay – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Llanelli Town – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
Awarded FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (17 clubs)
- Aberystwyth Town
- Airbus UK Broughton
- Ammanford
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cambrian United
- Cardiff Met
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Llandudno
- Llanelli Town
- Newtown
- Penybont
- The New Saints
- Trefelin BGC
Refused FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (8 clubs)
- Bala Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Caerau Ely – Refused on Financial
- Carmarthen Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Colwyn Bay- Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Holywell Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Llantwit Major – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
- Newport City – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
- Penrhyncoch – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2026/2027 season (9 clubs)
- Afan Lido
- Brickfield Rangers
- Buckley Town
- CPD Y Rhyl 1879
- Denbigh Town
- Gresford Athletic
- Guilsfield
- Pontypridd United
- Ruthin Town
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 six days in which to submit an appeal with the Appeals Body meeting on 16 April 2026.
