2025–26 Cymru Premier

Cymru Premier
Uwch Gynghrair Cymru
Season2025–26
Dates8 August 2025 – 17 May 2026
ChampionsThe New Saints
RelegatedLlanelli Town
UEFA Champions LeagueThe New Saints
UEFA Conference LeagueConnah's Quay Nomads
Top goalscorerJordan Williams (24 goals)
Biggest home winThe New Saints 6–0 Penybont
(7 February 2026)
Biggest away winLlanelli Town 0–5 Flint Town United
(6 September 2025)
Highest scoringColwyn Bay 5–4 Penybont
(29 November 2025)
Longest winning run10 – The New Saints
(6 September 2025–7 November 2025)
Longest unbeaten run17 – Connah's Quay Nomads
(27 September 2025–21 February 2026)
Longest winless run19 – Llanelli Town
(4 October 2026–present)
Longest losing run7 – Llanelli Town
(29 November 2025–13 February 2026)
2026–27 →
All statistics correct as of 10 August 2025.

The 2025–26 Cymru Premier (Welsh: Uwch Gynghrair Cymru 2025–26; known as the JD Cymru Premier for sponsorship reasons) is 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 is the first season of the competition to use VAR (video assistant referee).

The New Saints were league champions - their 18th title and the fifth in row.[1]

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.[2]

Team changes

The following teams changed division since the 2024–25 season.

Promoted to Cymru Premier Relegated from Cymru Premier

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).[3][4] 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

Locations of teams in the 2025–26 Cymru Premier.
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
The New Saints Oswestry Park Hall 2,034 1st in Cymru Premier
↑ Promoted from the Cymru North and Cymru South

Notes:

  1. ^ 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 Steve Fisher Nathan Burke Macron Aykroyd's
Barry Town United Andy Legg Callum Sainty Macron RIM Motors
Briton Ferry Llansawel Andy Dyer Alex Gammond Macron Woodpecker Garden Buildings
Caernarfon Town Richard Davies Darren Thomas Surridge Sport Williams Timber Solutions
Cardiff Metropolitan University Ryan Jenkins CJ Craven Nike Nuffield Health
Colwyn Bay Michael Wilde Sam Hart Hope + Glory KHS
Connah's Quay Nomads John Disney Chris Marriott Adidas Castle Green Homes
Flint Town United Steve Evans Harry Owen Macron Essity
Haverfordwest County Tony Pennock Dylan Rees Tor Sports DragonBet
Llanelli Town Terry Boyle Josef Hopkins Macron Red Town Taverns
Penybont Rhys Griffiths Kane Owen Macron Nathaniel Cars
The New Saints Craig Harrison Daniel Redmond Macron SiFi Networks

Managerial changes

Pre-season

Team Outgoing manager Manner Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of arrival
Connah's Quay Nomads Billy Paynter Sacked 13 April 2025[5] John Disney 25 May 2025[6]
Bala Town Colin Caton Resigned 3 June 2025[7] Steve Fisher 10 June 2025[8]

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[9] 21 12th Terry Boyle 13 January 2026[10]
Barry Town Steve Jenkins Changed role 1 February 2026[11] 23 6th Andy Legg 1 February 2026
Flint Town United Lee Fowler Changed role 19 March 2026[12] 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
Source: Cymru Premier
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

Home \ Away BAL BAR BFL CFT CMU CBY CQN FTU HAV LLT PEN TNS
Bala Town — 0–0 2–2 0–1 2–2 1–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–0 0–0 0–2
Barry Town United 4–0 — 0–1 2–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 4–0 5–1 2–3 0–0
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2–0 2–1 — 2–5 1–1 0–2 0–3 2–2 0–1 1–2 0–0 0–2
Caernarfon Town 2–0 3–1 4–1 — 0–3 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 6–1 1–2 1–3
Cardiff Metropolitan University 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 — 1–4 0–3 4–1 0–0 2–1 0–4 1–3
Colwyn Bay 0–1 1–4 2–2 1–0 0–0 — 1–1 1–2 3–0 3–1 5–4 1–1
Connah's Quay Nomads 1–3 3–1 4–2 1–2 1–1 2–1 — 3–2 3–3 3–0 4–0 3–1
Flint Town United 0–4 0–0 2–1 2–5 4–2 0–1 0–2 — 2–2 4–0 3–4 0–3
Haverfordwest County 2–0 2–3 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–0 1–3 3–1 — 3–0 0–1 2–3
Llanelli Town 0–1 0–2 2–4 1–1 1–3 0–0 1–2 0–5 1–0 — 0–1 0–4
Penybont 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–0 0–1 5–0 2–1 2–0 — 0–2
The New Saints 2–1 4–0 0–3 2–0 2–3 1–0 3–0 4–2 5–0 6–0 6–2 —
Source: Cymru Premier
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

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, Q) 29 23 2 4 74 24 +50 71 Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round
2 Connah's Quay Nomads (Q) 29 16 8 5 58 34 +24 56 Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round[a]
3 Colwyn Bay 29 12 7 10 40 34 +6 43 Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off final
4 Barry Town United 29 11 9 9 40 31 +9 42 Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off quarter-finals
5 Penybont 29 11 7 11 39 45 −6 40
6 Caernarfon Town 29 10 9 10 52 43 +9 39
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source: Cymru Premier
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; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ The 2025–26 Welsh Cup winners (Caernarfon Town or Flint Town United) also qualify for the Conference League first qualifying round.


Results

Home \ Away BAR CFT CBY CQN PEN TNS
Barry Town United — 2–1 0–1 1–0 1–0 18 Apr
Caernarfon Town 0–2 — 3–0 2–4 18 Apr 27 Mar
Colwyn Bay 3–1 3 Apr — 2–2 3–1 0–2
Connah's Quay Nomads 29 Mar 1–1 18 Apr — 2–1 1–2
Penybont 3 Apr 0–0 28 Mar 0–0 — 1–2
The New Saints 1–0 2–1 0–2 3 Apr 6–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source: Cymru Premier
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

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 Briton Ferry Llansawel 29 10 9 10 41 44 −3 39 Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round play-off quarter-finals
8 Haverfordwest County 29 11 6 12 40 43 −3 39
9 Cardiff Metropolitan University 29 7 13 9 38 45 −7 34
10 Flint Town United 29 8 10 11 45 54 −9 34
11 Bala Town 29 7 8 14 26 41 −15 29 Relegation to the Cymru North or Cymru South
12 Llanelli Town (R) 29 2 4 23 15 70 −55 10
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source: Cymru Premier
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

Home \ Away BAL BFL CMU FTU HAV LLT
Bala Town — 18 Apr 1–1 3–4 1–0 0–0
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2–1 — 3 Apr 0–0 0–2 3–1
Cardiff Metropolitan University 28 Mar 0–2 — 18 Apr 0–2 1–1
Flint Town United 1–1 0–0 1–1 — 3 Apr 28 Mar
Haverfordwest County 3–0 27 Mar 1–0 1–3 — 18 Apr
Llanelli Town 3 Apr 0–2 1–2 0–2 0–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 March 2026. Source: Cymru Premier
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Conference League play-off

Teams placed 3rd–7th qualify 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 receive home advantage, and the 3rd-placed team receive a bye to the final. If the 2025–26 Welsh Cup winners finish in the top seven of the Cymru Premier, a spot will be vacated; the 3rd-placed team qualify automatically for the Conference League if the Welsh Cup winners finish in the top two of the Cymru Premier.

Season statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[13]
1 Jordan Williams The New Saints 24
2 Rhys Hughes Connah's Quay Nomads 14
3 Harry Franklin Connah's Quay Nomads 13
Jordan Davies Colwyn Bay
5 Ryan Brobbel The New Saints 13
Elliott Reeves Flint Town

Hat-trick

As of 21 March 2026
Player For Against Result Date
Adam Davies[14] Caernarfon Town Llanelli Town 6–1 (H) 16 August 2025
Noah Daley[15] Penybont Barry Town United 2–3 (A) 22 August 2025
Elliott Reeves[16] Flint Town United Llanelli Town 0–5 (A) 6 September 2025
Jordan Williams[17] The New Saints Haverfordwest County 5–0 (A) 6 September 2025
James Crole[18] Penybont Cardiff Metropolitan 0–4 (A) 23 September 2025
Harry Franklin[19] Connah's Quay Nomads Briton Ferry Llansawel 0–3 (A) 11 October 2025
Elliott Reeves[20] Flint Town United Llanelli Town 4–0 (H) 11 October 2025
Jordan Williams[21] The New Saints Penybont 6–2 (H) 11 October 2025
Jordan Davies[22] Colwyn Bay Penybont 5–4 (H) 29 November 2025
Rory Holden[23] The New Saints Penybont 6–0 (H) 7 February 2026
Notes

(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team

Clean sheets

Rank Player Club Clean
sheets
1 Nathan Shepperd The New Saints 14
2 George Ratcliffe Barry Town United 12
3 Kit Margetson Connah's Quay Nomads 8
Joel Torrance Bala Town
Will Fuller Briton Ferry Llansawel
5 Jack Flint Flint Town 7
Alex Brown Colwyn Bay

Discipline

Player

  • Most yellow cards: 12
    • Joseph Lloyd (Llanelli Town)
  • Most red cards: 2
    • Mitchell Bates (Briton Ferry Llansawel)

Club

  • Most yellow cards: 65
    • Connah's Quay Nomads
  • Fewest yellow cards: 34
    • Bala Town
  • Most red cards: 4
    • Briton Ferry Llansawel
    • Haverfordwest County
    • Penybont
  • Fewest red cards: 1
    • Caernarfon Town
    • Llanelli
    • The New Saints

Monthly awards

As of 17 February 2026
Month Player of the Month Manager of the Month
Manager Club Player Club
July/ August[24] Tom Walters Briton Ferry Llansawel Richard Davies Caernarfon Town
September[25] Gabe Kircough Penybont Craig Harrison The New Saints
October[26] Rhys Hughes Connah's Quay Nomads Michael Wilde Colwyn Bay
November[27] Jordan Williams The New Saints John Disney Connah's Quay Nomads
December[28] Harry Franklin Connah's Quay Nomads John Disney Connah's Quay Nomads
January[29] Rhys Hughes Connah's Quay Nomads Craig Harrison The New Saints
February[30] Ben Margetson Barry Town United Andy Legg Barry Town United
March
April

See also

References

  1. ^ "The New Saints secure 18th JD Cymru Premier title with stoppage win over Connah's Quay Nomads". Football Association of Wales. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Cymru Premier expansion will see six teams promoted". BBC Sport. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Colwyn Bay win JD Cymru North title on last day of season". North Wales Pioneer. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Llanelli secure Cymru South title". BBC Sport. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Club Statement: Billy Paynter". Connah's Quay Nomads. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ^ "John Disney named new Connah's Quay Nomads manager". Deeside.com. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Colin Caton departs Bala Town after historic 22-year tenure". Football Association of Wales. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Fisher and Valentine take over from Caton at Bala Town". BBC Sport. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Llanelli Town part company with manager Lee John". Swansea Bay News. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Llanelli Town have confirmed former Cymru international Terry Boyle as interim manager until the end of the season". Facebook. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  11. ^ "On-field management changes at the Town". Barry Town United. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  12. ^ "𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 👥". X. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Premier League Top Player Stats – Goals". Premier League. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Caernarfon Town 6 - 1 Llanelli Town". Football Association of Wales. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  15. ^ "Barry Town United 2 - 3 Penybont". Football Association of Wales. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  16. ^ "Llanelli Town 0 - 5 Flint Town United". Football Association of Wales. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  17. ^ "The New Saints 5 - 0 Haverfordwest County". Football Association of Wales. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Cardiff Metropolitan 0 - 4 Penybont". Football Association of Wales. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Briton Ferry Llansawel 0- 3 Connah's Quay Nomads". Football Association of Wales. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Flint Town United 4 - 0 Llanelli Town". Football Association of Wales. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  21. ^ "The New Saints 6 - 2 Penybont". Football Association of Wales. 11 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  22. ^ "Colwyn Bay 5 - 4 Penybont". Football Association of Wales. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  23. ^ "The New Saints 6 - 0 Penybont". Football Association of Wales. 29 November 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  24. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues July/August Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  25. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues September Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  26. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues October Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  27. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues November Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  28. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues December Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  29. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues January Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  30. ^ "JD Cymru Leagues February Player and Manager of the Month winners". Football Association of Wales. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
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