NIFL confirm Championship restructure

The Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] has confirmed the new structure for next season's Championship. The division has expanded from 12 teams to 16 with Moyola Park, Strabane Athletic, Rathfriland Rangers and Newry City promoted from the Premier Intermediate League [PIL] and Glenavon dropping down from the Irish Premiership. The PIL will now be replaced with the National Conference League.

Next campaign, two teams will be relegated automatically with the side who finish in 14th position playing against the runners-up in the National Conference League in a play-off. Promotion will remain the same with the Championship victors promoted automatically to the top flight and second place facing the side that finish in 11th in the Premiership in a promotion/relegation two-legged play-off. Each of the 16 teams will play each other home and away before the Championship splits into two sections, based on standings after the 30 matches, with each club having a further seven games post-split.

Last term, Limavady United won the Championship and sealed their spot in next season's Irish Premiership. Meanwhile, Annagh United finished second and missed out on a top flight spot after being beaten on penalties by Crusaders in their promotion/relegation play-off.