28 clubs have applied for the FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for the 2027/28 season.
All 16 Novira Cymru Premier clubs have applied, along with 5 clubs from Novira Cyrmu North and 7 clubs from Novira Cymru South.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales.
Licence Applicants
Novira Cymru Premier (Tier 1)
- Airbus UK Broughton
- Ammanford
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cambrian United
- Cardiff Met
- Colwyn Bay
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Holywell Town
- Llandudno
- Penybont
- The New Saints
- Trefelin BGC
Novira Cymru South (Tier 2)
- Aberystwyth Town
- Caerau Ely
- Carmarthen Town
- Llanelli Town
- Newport City
- Pontypridd United
- Pure Swansea
Novira Cymru North (Tier 2)
- Bala Town
- Brickfield Rangers
- Clwb Pel-droed Dinas Bangor City 1876
- CPD Y Rhyl 1879
- Newtown
What happens next?
Clubs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 had until 30 September to submit their applications for a Tier 1 Licence for the 2027/28 season. The confirmed applicants are detailed above.
During October, November and December, site visits to their stadia will be arranged and club audits will be completed, including the assessment of their licensing documentation.
By 1 March 2027, any ground sharing agreements must be submitted in accordance with the FAW Pyramid Regulations.
All club licensing documentation must be finalised and submitted to the FAW by 31 March 2027.
The full Tier 1 Club Licensing Core Process can be viewed within the Tier 1 Men’s Club Licensing Regulations.
Decisions
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
- Sporting
- Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Infrastructure
- Personnel & Administrative
- Legal
- Financial
An independent First Instance Body (FIB), consisting of experts with relevant experience, will sit on 9 April 2027 to assess the applicants against the criteria detailed above. The decisions of the FIB will be communicated to the applicants on the same day.
For those clubs who have failed to attain the Tier 1 Licence, the FIB will provide written reasons for their failure and the club(s) will be invited to submit an appeal by 19 April 2027.
An independent Appeals Body, also consisting of experts, will sit to consider the appeals on 21 April 2027. Decisions will be communicated to the appellants on the same day. The decision of the Appeals Body is final.
