FAW's Mooney excited about Cymru Premier relaunch

The New Saints secured the Welsh title for the 18th time this season [FAW] Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney says the Cymru Premier is already showing "green shoots" prior to its relaunch next season. The 2026-27 season will see an increase in the number of teams in Welsh football's top-flight from the current 12 to 16, including six promoted clubs. The FAW have made significant investment in the league, which was formed in 1992.

"We couldn't be more excited about the league," Mooney told BBC Sport Wales. "We're starting to already see the green shoots, or green grass I suppose, of this league emerging. "Going to 16 teams, it's going to be interesting, it's going to be fun for the fans to play against teams they've never played against before.

"And I think we're in for a really exciting Cymru Premier League next season. " [BBC] The FAW announced in February 2024 a four-year £6m investment package, described as the single biggest investment in the league's 34-year history. That followed a lengthy review into the top flight in which the FAW consulted with clubs, fans and other league stakeholders.

"We made a huge investment, unprecedented in Welsh football, into the Cymru Premier over the last few years," Mooney said. "About three years ago we sat down with the clubs and we worked collaboratively with them to draw a plan up which includes moving to a 16 team next season for example. "We employed full-time people in the clubs, we've put a multi-year stadium plan together and many other clubs we're starting to talk about developing their stadium and their facilities because we do believe if you build it they will come.