The Football Association of Wales can confirm a new structure for the JD Cymru Premier for the 2026/27 season onwards.
Following the release of the JD Cymru Premier strategy earlier this year, an extensive structure review has taken place with multiple league formats explored and evaluated.
Formats were assessed against the JD Cymru Premier strategy’s core aims to:
• Ensure competition is exciting for all stakeholders
• Build the profile, brand and awareness of the League
• Grow average match attendances
• Strengthen the on-pitch product and competitive balance
• Develop the commercial portfolio of the League
New JD Cymru Premier structure
From the 2026/27 season, the JD Cymru Premier will increase from its current 12-team format to a 16-team competition.
Every club will play each other twice, once at home and once away. After Matchday 30, the league will split into three separate groups.
The top six in the table – the Championship Race – will play each other once more, with the club top of the table after Matchday 35 crowned champions.
Clubs ranked second to sixth will qualify for at least the end of season European qualification playoffs.
Clubs ranked seventh to 10th – the European Challenger – will play each other once more, with the club placed seventh after Matchday 33 claiming the coveted final spot in the end of season European qualification play-offs.
Finally, clubs ranked 11th to 16th – the Survival Zone – will also play each other once more. At the end of Matchday 35, the clubs in 15th and 16th will be automatically relegated, while the club in 14th will compete in the relegation play-off.
Here, they will meet the winner of a tie between the runner-up in the JD Cymru North and runner-up in the JD Cymru South for the right to remain in the JD Cymru Premier.
