NIFL Premier Intermediate League
Football league
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The NIFL Premier Intermediate League (Known as the Playr-Fit NIFL Premier Intermediate League for sponsorship reasons) was the third level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national association football league in Northern Ireland, and the highest intermediate division in Northern Ireland, occupying level three in the Northern Ireland football league system – below the NIFL Premiership (level 1) and NIFL Championship (level 2). It has been replaced by the new NAFL Conference League launching in 2026.
| |
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Northern Ireland |
| Number of clubs | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | NIFL Championship |
| Relegation to | Ballymena & Provincial League Mid-Ulster Football League Northern Amateur League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Cup IFA Intermediate Cup |
| League cup | Northern Ireland Football League Cup |
| Current champions | Moyola Park (2025–26) |
| Current: 2025-26 season | |
The third level in Northern Irish football was known as the Irish League Second Division from 1999 to 2003, the Irish Second Division from 2003 to 2008, the IFA Interim Intermediate League from 2008 to 2009, the IFA Championship 2 from 2009 to 2013, and the NIFL Championship 2 from 2013 to 2016. The league is set to be replaced at the start of the 2026 season by a new conference league format.[1]
History
Under reforms agreed by the NIFL clubs in 2014, from 2016, when the previous Championship 1 acquired senior status, Championship 2 continued as the Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status and thus became the top intermediate league in Northern Ireland.[2][3]
In May 2023, the league was expanded to 14 teams, due to licensing issues with Warrenpoint Town and PSNI not having a league they can seamlessly be relegated into. Rathfriland Rangers joined the league for the 2023-24 season, along with Coagh United.[4]
Current members
The 2025–26 NIFL Premier Intermediate League, which will the final season of the competition under its current format consists of 14 teams. The top four teams will be promoted to the NIFL Championship for the 2026-2027 season, while the Premier Internmediate League will be reconstituted in a conference format.
| Club | Stadium | Location | Capacity[5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballyclare Comrades | Dixon Park | Ballyclare | 2398 (538 seated) |
| Ballymacash Rangers | The Bluebell Stadium | Lisburn | 1,280 |
| Banbridge Town | Crystal Park | Banbridge | 1,500 |
| Coagh United | Hagan Park | Coagh | 1,000 (150 seated) |
| Dergview | Darragh Park | Castlederg | 1,280 |
| Dollingstown | Planter's Park | Dollingstown | 1,000 |
| Knockbreda | Breda Park | Belfast | 1,000 |
| Lisburn Distillery | New Grosvenor Stadium | Lisburn | 1,500 (790 seated) |
| Moyola Park | Fortwilliam Park | Tobermore | 2,000 (100 seated) |
| Newry City | The Showgrounds | Newry | 2,275 |
| Oxford Sunnyside | Knockramer Park | Lurgan | 1,600 |
| Portstewart | Mullaghacall | Portstewart | 1,000 |
| Rathfriland Rangers | Iveagh Park | Rathfriland | 1,000 |
| Strabane Athletic | Melvin Sports Arena | Strabane | 1,000 |
List of third-tier champions
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| Irish League Second Division | |
| 1999–00 | Dundela |
| 2000–01 | Dundela |
| 2001–02 | Moyola Park |
| 2002–03 | Ballinamallard United |
| Irish Second Division | |
| 2003–04 | Coagh United |
| 2004–05 | Tobermore United |
| 2005–06 | Portstewart |
| 2006–07 | Ballyclare Comrades |
| 2007–08 | Dergview |
| IFA Interim Intermediate League | |
| 2008–09 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| IFA Championship 2 | |
| 2009–10 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| 2010–11 | Warrenpoint Town |
| 2011–12 | Coagh United |
| 2012–13 | Knockbreda |
| NIFL Championship 2 | |
| 2013–14 | Armagh City |
| 2014–15 | Lurgan Celtic |
| 2015–16 | Limavady United |
| NIFL Premier Intermediate League | |
| 2016–17 | Limavady United |
| 2017–18 | Dundela |
| 2018–19 | Queen's University |
| 2019–20 | Annagh United |
| 2021–22 | Newington |
| 2022–23 | Bangor |
| 2023–24 | Limavady United |
| 2024–25 | Warrenpoint Town |