Bala, Colwyn Bay and Holywell win FAW Tier 1 licence appeals
Bala Town and Colwyn Bay win their appeals to be granted a Football Association of Wales Tier 1 licence for the 2025-26 season.
The Cymru Premier will have 16 teams from next season [FAW] Bala Town and Colwyn Bay have won their appeals to be granted a Football Association of Wales (FAW) Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season. Bay are currently fourth in the JD Cymru Premier table while Bala are 11th and battling it out with Flint Town United to avoid relegation with one game remaining. Both clubs were refused licences on personnel and administration grounds.
Colwyn Bay, who are in the hunt for European qualification via the play-offs, have also been awarded an Uefa licence for next season. Holywell Town, who have guaranteed a top-three finish in the JD Cymru North, will play in the Cymru Premier next season after winning their appeal. Caerau Ely, currently fourth in the Cymru South and competing with Ammanford for the third promotion slot were also successful with their appeal, as were Carmarthen Town.
"It has taken a significant collective effort to ensure 22 clubs have gained a Tier 1 licence ahead of the 2026-27 season and the relaunch of the Cymru Premier," the FAW's head of domestic leagues, Jack Sharp, said. "Massive credit must go to every club that has invested the time, commitment and resources required to meet these standards. "When we announced the new Cymru Premier structure in September 2024, I recognised the scale of the challenge to deliver a 16-team league defined by sporting merit.
"To get to this moment has required careful strategic planning and strong collaboration with our clubs. " Awarded Uefa Men's Licence for 2026-27 season Barry Town United Briton Ferry Llansawel Caernarfon Town Cardiff Met Colwyn Bay Connah's Quay Nomads Flint Town United Haverfordwest County Penybont The New Saints Refused Uefa Men's Licence for 2026-27 season Llanelli Town – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial Awarded FAW Men's Tier 1 Licence for 2026-27 season Aberystwyth Town Airbus UK Broughton Ammanford Bala Town Barry Town United Briton Ferry Llansawel Caerau Ely Caernarfon Town Cambrian United Cardiff Met Carmarthen Town Colwyn Bay Connah's Quay Nomads Flint Town United Haverfordwest County Holywell Town Llandudno Llanelli Town Newtown Penybont The New Saints Trefelin BGC Refused FAW Men's Tier 1 Licence for 2026-27 season 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 Afan Lido Brickfield Rangers Buckley Town CPD Y Rhyl 1879 Denbigh Town Gresford Athletic Guilsfield Pontypridd United Ruthin Town