2025–26 Cymru Premier
Football league season
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The 2025–26 Cymru Premier (Welsh: Uwch Gynghrair Cymru 2025–26; known as the JD Cymru Premier for sponsorship reasons) was the 34th season of the Cymru Premier (formerly known as the Welsh Premier League), the highest football league within Wales since its establishment in 1992. This was the final season of the competition to utilise a 12 team format, and the final to not use VAR (video assistant referee), in advance of its introduction for 2026–27.[1]
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 8 August 2025 – 17 May 2026 |
| Champions | The New Saints |
| Relegated | Bala Town Llanelli Town |
| UEFA Champions League | The New Saints |
| UEFA Conference League | Caernarfon Town Connah's Quay Nomads Penybont |
| Matches | 192 |
| Goals | 556 (2.9 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Jordan Williams (26 goals) |
| Biggest home win | The New Saints 6–0 Llanelli Town (13 September 2026) The New Saints 6–0 Penybont (7 February 2026) Haverfordwest County 6–0 Llanelli Town (18 April 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Llanelli Town 0–5 Flint Town United (6 September 2025) Haverfordwest County 0–5 Bala Town (3 April 2026) |
| Highest scoring | Colwyn Bay 5–4 Penybont (29 November 2025) |
| Longest winning run | 10 – The New Saints (6 September 2025–7 November 2025) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 17 – Connah's Quay Nomads (27 September 2025–21 February 2026) |
| Longest winless run | 19 – Llanelli Town (4 October 2026–28 March 2026) |
| Longest losing run | 7 – Llanelli Town (29 November 2025–13 February 2026) |
| Highest attendance | 2,357 – Colwyn Bay 0–2 Caernarfon Town (3 April 2026) |
| Lowest attendance | 65 – Llanelli Town 1–2 Connah's Quay Nomads (29 November 2025) |
← 2024–25 2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 10 August 2025. | |
The New Saints were league champions - their 18th title and the fifth in row.[2]
Teams
The league consisted of twelve teams; the top ten teams from the previous season, one team promoted from the Cymru North, and one team promoted from the Cymru South. The New Saints entered the season as defending champions (for the fourth consecutive season). This was the final season to consist of twelve teams, with the league set to expand to sixteen teams from 2026 to 2027.[3]
Team changes
The following teams changed division since the 2024–25 season.
The promoted teams were the 2024–25 Cymru North champions Colwyn Bay (returning to the top flight after a single-season absence), and the 2024–25 Cymru South champions Llanelli Town (returning to the top flight for the first time since 2018–19).[4][5] They replaced the 2024–25 Cymru Premier bottom two teams Newtown and Aberystwyth Town (both relegated from the Cymru Premier for the first time in their histories).
Stadia and locations
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | 2024–25 season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bala Town | Bala | Maes Tegid | 3,000 | 6th in Cymru Premier |
| Barry Town United | Barry | Jenner Park | 2,650 | 7th in Cymru Premier |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Briton Ferry | Old Road | 2,300 | 10th in Cymru Premier |
| Caernarfon Town | Caernarfon | The Oval | 3,000 | 4th in Cymru Premier |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cyncoed | Cyncoed Campus | 1,620 | 5th in Cymru Premier |
| Colwyn Bay↑ | Old Colwyn | Llanelian Road | 3,000 | 1st in Cymru North |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Connah's Quay | Cae-y-Castell, at Flint[a] | 3,000 | 8th in Cymru Premier |
| Flint Town United | Flint | Cae-y-Castell | 3,000 | 9th in Cymru Premier |
| Haverfordwest County | Haverfordwest | Bridge Meadow | 2,100 | 3rd in Cymru Premier |
| Llanelli Town↑ | Llanelli | Stebonheath Park | 3,700 | 1st in Cymru South |
| Penybont | Bridgend | Bryntirion Park | 3,000 | 2nd in Cymru Premier |
| Park Hall | 2,034 | 1st in Cymru Premier |
| ↑ | Promoted from the Cymru North and Cymru South |
Notes:
- Due to the tenancy problems with the owners of the Deeside Stadium, Connah's Quay Nomads will play their home matches at Cae-y-Castell in Flint.
Personnel and kits
| Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Front shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bala Town | Aykroyd's | |||
| Barry Town United | RIM Motors | |||
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Woodpecker Garden Buildings | |||
| Caernarfon Town | Williams Timber Solutions | |||
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Nuffield Health | |||
| Colwyn Bay | KHS | |||
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Castle Green Homes | |||
| Flint Town United | Essity | |||
| Haverfordwest County | DragonBet | |||
| Llanelli Town | Red Town Taverns | |||
| Penybont | Nathaniel Cars | |||
| The New Saints | SiFi Networks |
Managerial changes
Pre-season
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner | Date of vacancy | Replaced by | Date of arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Sacked | 13 April 2025[6] | 25 May 2025[7] | ||
| Bala Town | Resigned | 3 June 2025[8] | 10 June 2025[9] |
During the season
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Replaced by | Date of appointment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Position | ||||||
| Llanelli Town | Lee John | Sacked | 9 January 2026[10] | 21 | 12th | Terry Boyle | 13 January 2026[11] |
| Barry Town | Steve Jenkins | Changed role | 1 February 2026[12] | 23 | 6th | Andy Legg | 1 February 2026 |
| Flint Town United | Lee Fowler | Changed role | 19 March 2026[13] | 29 | 9th | Steve Evans | 19 March 2026 |
Regular season
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New Saints | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 59 | 19 | +40 | 53 | Qualification for the Championship Conference |
| 2 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 22 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 48 | 25 | +23 | 47 | |
| 3 | Penybont | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 36 | 31 | +5 | 38 | |
| 4 | Caernarfon Town | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 34 | |
| 5 | Barry Town United | 22 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 33 | 25 | +8 | 30 | |
| 6 | Colwyn Bay | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 29 | 25 | +4 | 30 | |
| 7 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 22 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 33 | 36 | −3 | 28 | Qualification for the Play-Off Conference |
| 8 | Briton Ferry Llansawel | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 40 | −8 | 25 | |
| 9 | Haverfordwest County | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 30 | 39 | −9 | 24 | |
| 10 | Bala Town | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 30 | −11 | 23 | |
| 11 | Flint Town United | 22 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 34 | 48 | −14 | 21 | |
| 12 | Llanelli Town | 22 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 59 | −47 | 8 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Matches won; 8) Away matches won.
Results
Championship Conference
The top six teams from the regular season entered the Championship Conference, playing every other team in the group for the third and fourth time (once at home and once away). Results from the regular season were carried over into this round.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New Saints (C) | 32 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 81 | 25 | +56 | 80 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 61 | 38 | +23 | 58 | Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round |
| 3 | Barry Town United | 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 43 | 33 | +10 | 46 | Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off |
| 4 | Caernarfon Town | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 45 | Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round[a] |
| 5 | Colwyn Bay | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 41 | 37 | +4 | 45 | Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off |
| 6 | Penybont (O) | 32 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 39 | 49 | −10 | 41 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Matches won; 8) Away matches won.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Notes:
- Caernarfon Town qualified for the Conference League first qualifying round as the 2025–26 Welsh Cup winners.
Results
Play-Off Conference
The bottom six teams from the regular season entered the Play-Off Conference, playing every other team in the group for the third and fourth time (once at home and once away). Results from the regular season were carried over into this round.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Haverfordwest County | 32 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 48 | 43 | +5 | 48 | Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off |
| 8 | Briton Ferry Llansawel | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 46 | 47 | −1 | 45 | |
| 9 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 32 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 43 | 51 | −8 | 38 | |
| 10 | Flint Town United | 32 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 48 | 59 | −11 | 35 | |
| 11 | Bala Town (R) | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 33 | 45 | −12 | 32 | Relegation to the Cymru North or Cymru South |
| 12 | Llanelli Town (R) | 32 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 17 | 82 | −65 | 13 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Matches won; 8) Away matches won.
(R) Relegated
Results
Conference League play-off
Teams placed 3rd–7th qualified for one-off play-off matches, with the winners earning the third spot in the 2026–27 UEFA Conference League first qualifying round; the higher-placed team per game received home advantage. Since the 2025–26 Welsh Cup winners (Caernarfon Town) finished in the top seven (4th), a spot was vacated.
Bracket
| Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
| 3 | Barry Town United | 1 (1) | |||||||
| 7 | Haverfordwest County | 1 (3) | |||||||
| 6 | Penybont | 2 | |||||||
| 7 | Haverfordwest County | 0 | |||||||
| 5 | Colwyn Bay | 0 (3) | |||||||
| 6 | Penybont | 0 (5) | |||||||
Semi-finals
| 25 April 2026 | Colwyn Bay (5th) | 0–0 (3–5 p) | Penybont (6th) | Old Colwyn |
| 12:45 | Stadium: Llanelian Road Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones | |||
| Penalties | ||||
| Williams Hughes Davies Sirrell |
||||
| 26 April 2026 | Barry Town United (3rd) | 1–1 (1–3 p) | Haverfordwest County (7th) | Barry |
| 17:00 | Hulbert |
Walters |
Stadium: Jenner Park Referee: Tom Owen | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Patten Margetson Davies Sainty |
||||
Final
| 2 May 2026 | Penybont (6th) | 2–0 | Haverfordwest County (7th) | Bridgend |
| 17:25 | Venables Davies |
Stadium: DragonBet Stadium Referee: John Jones |
Season statistics
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[14] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New Saints | 24 | |
| 2 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 14 | |
| The New Saints | |||
| Haverfordwest County | |||
| 5 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 13 | |
| Colwyn Bay |
Hat-trick
- As of 21 March 2026
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caernarfon Town | Llanelli Town | 6–1 (H) | 16 August 2025 | |
| Penybont | Barry Town United | 2–3 (A) | 22 August 2025 | |
| Flint Town United | Llanelli Town | 0–5 (A) | 6 September 2025 | |
| The New Saints | Haverfordwest County | 5–0 (A) | 6 September 2025 | |
| Penybont | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 0–4 (A) | 23 September 2025 | |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Briton Ferry Llansawel | 0–3 (A) | 11 October 2025 | |
| Flint Town United | Llanelli Town | 4–0 (H) | 11 October 2025 | |
| The New Saints | Penybont | 6–2 (H) | 11 October 2025 | |
| Colwyn Bay | Penybont | 5–4 (H) | 29 November 2025 | |
| The New Saints | Penybont | 6–0 (H) | 7 February 2026 | |
| Haverfordwest County | Llanelli Town | 6–0 (H) | 19 April 2026 |
- Notes
(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New Saints | 16 | |
| 2 | Barry Town United | 13 | |
| 3 | Bala Town | 10 | |
| 4 | Haverfordwest County | 8 | |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | |||
| Connah's Quay Nomads | |||
| Colwyn Bay |
Discipline
Player
Club
- Most yellow cards: 72
- Connah's Quay Nomads
- Fewest yellow cards: 38
- Bala Town
- Most red cards: 5
- Flint Town United
- Penybont
- Fewest red cards: 1
- Caernarfon Town
- Llanelli
- The New Saints
Monthly awards
- As of 12 May 2026
| Month | Player of the Month | Manager of the Month | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Player | Club | |
| July/ August[26] | Tom Walters | Briton Ferry Llansawel | Richard Davies | Caernarfon Town |
| September[27] | Gabe Kircough | Penybont | Craig Harrison | The New Saints |
| October[28] | Rhys Hughes | Connah's Quay Nomads | Michael Wilde | Colwyn Bay |
| November[29] | Jordan Williams | The New Saints | John Disney | Connah's Quay Nomads |
| December[30] | Harry Franklin | Connah's Quay Nomads | John Disney | Connah's Quay Nomads |
| January[31] | Rhys Hughes | Connah's Quay Nomads | Craig Harrison | The New Saints |
| February[32] | Ben Margetson | Barry Town United | Andy Legg | Barry Town United |
| March[33] | Cameron Ferguson | Bala Town | Michael Wilde | Colwyn Bay |
| April[34] | Matty Jones | Caernarfon Town | Richard Davies | Caernarfon Town |