The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (8 April) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Men’s Tier 1 applications for the 2026 / 2027 season.

Seventeen of the 34 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 10 of the current JD Cymru Premier clubs and seven clubs in Tier 2. In addition, nine of the JD Cymru Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence. 

Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:

• Sporting: Player Medicals, Youth & Coaching
• Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Infrastructure
• Legal
• Personnel & Administration
• Financial

The FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the JD Cymru Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a pre-requisite. 

The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards. 

During the 2024/25 season the FAW launched the Future Growth Fund, allocating £1.2 million into Tier 2 to ensure clubs finishing in the top three positions in the 2025/26 season had the financial support to develop their infrastructure to attain Tier 1 standards. 

Following today’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel has decided on the following: 

Awarded UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (9 clubs) 

• Barry Town United
• Briton Ferry Llansawel
• Caernarfon Town
• Cardiff Met
• Connah’s Quay Nomads
• Flint Town United
• Haverfordwest County
• Penybont
• The New Saints

Refused UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (2 clubs)

• Colwyn Bay – Refused on Personnel & Administration
• Llanelli Town – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial

Awarded FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (17 clubs)

• Aberystwyth Town
• Airbus UK Broughton
• Ammanford
• Barry Town United
• Briton Ferry Llansawel
• Caernarfon Town
• Cambrian United
• Cardiff Met
• Connah’s Quay Nomads
• Flint Town United
• Haverfordwest County
• Llandudno
• Llanelli Town
• Newtown
• Penybont
• The New Saints
• Trefelin BGC

Refused FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (8 clubs)

• Bala Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
• Caerau Ely – Refused on Financial
• Carmarthen Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
• Colwyn Bay- Refused on Personnel & Administration
• Holywell Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
• 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 (9 clubs)

• Afan Lido
• Brickfield Rangers
• Buckley Town
• CPD Y Rhyl 1879
• Denbigh Town
• Gresford Athletic
• Guilsfield
• Pontypridd United
• Ruthin Town

The FIB Panel extended its congratulations to those clubs successful in attaining Tier 1 and UEFA licences. 

Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have six days in which to submit an appeal with the Appeals Body meeting on 16 April 2026.