Welsh Premier Division
The JD Cymru Premier, commonly referred to as the Cymru Premier, is the top-tier professional association football league in Wales, comprising 12 clubs that compete in a season typically spanning from late July or August to April or May.[1][2] Established in 1992 as the League of Wales to create a unified national competition, it replaced the fragmented regional leagues that had previously dominated Welsh football, drawing initial participation from 20 founding member clubs across the country.[2][3] The league was rebranded as the Welsh Premier League in 2002 and adopted its current bilingual name, emphasizing its Welsh identity, in 2019, while securing sponsorship from JD Sports in recent years.[4] In its current format for the 2024–25 season, the league operates in two phases: all 12 teams play each other home and away for 22 matches, after which they split into a top-six Championship Conference and a bottom-six Play-Off Conference, with points carried forward for an additional 10 games per team to determine final standings.[5] The champion qualifies directly for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, while the runners-up and cup winners earn spots in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, providing crucial pathways for Welsh clubs to European competition despite the league's modest UEFA coefficient ranking.[6][7] Promotion and relegation are managed through the FAW's pyramid system, with the bottom two teams typically facing direct relegation to Tier 2 leagues like Cymru North or Cymru South, and potential play-offs involving third-placed teams from those divisions.[5] The league has been dominated by The New Saints (TNS) since the early 2000s, with the club securing 17 titles as of 2025 and establishing itself as the only fully professional outfit, with VAR introduced for the 2025-26 season and plans to expand to 16 teams by the 2026–27 season to boost competitiveness.[8][9][10] Historically, the competition has faced challenges including low attendance, limited commercial revenue, and the anomaly of major Welsh clubs like Cardiff City and Swansea City competing in the English Football League system, but recent strategic visions from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) aim to enhance infrastructure, youth development, and fan engagement to elevate the domestic game.[11][12] Despite these hurdles, the Cymru Premier remains a vital platform for nurturing talent, with alumni contributing to Wales' national team successes, including their run to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.[13]History
Formation and early years
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) established the League of Wales in 1992 as the country's first national top-tier football competition, aiming to unify Welsh clubs under a single structure and replace the fragmented regional systems of the Welsh National League (North) and the Welsh League (South). The initiative addressed long-standing divisions in Welsh football, where prominent clubs like Cardiff City and Swansea City had historically competed in the English league system, but it sparked controversy and resistance from some teams reluctant to leave established English pyramid placements. Launched amid these tensions, the league began its inaugural 1992–93 season on 15 August 1992 with 20 founding member clubs drawn from regional leagues, including Bangor City, Barry Town, and Cwmbran Town.[14][15][16] Sponsored as the Konica League of Wales for its debut campaign, the competition saw Cwmbran Town claim the title with 87 points from 38 matches, marking a triumphant entry for the newcomers who had risen from lower regional football. This success granted Cwmbran the honor of representing Wales in Europe for the first time, as they entered the preliminary round of the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League and secured a notable 3–2 home victory over Irish champions Cork City in the first leg. The early seasons highlighted persistent challenges, including widespread financial instability among semi-professional clubs with limited budgets and attendance, as well as lingering regional rivalries that complicated travel and fan support across Wales' north-south divide.[17][18][19] From 1993 onward, the league operated without sponsorship as the plain League of Wales until 2002, sustaining its 20-team format through the 1990s while fostering gradual development in Welsh domestic football. Key hurdles included the 1995 Bosman ruling by the European Court of Justice, which liberalized player transfers and contracts across the EU, exacerbating talent drain from smaller leagues like Wales' to more affluent English and continental clubs. Despite these pressures, the competition laid essential groundwork, enabling consistent European qualification for champions and cup winners, and setting the stage for emerging dominance by sides such as Barry Town in the late 1990s.[20]Welsh Premier League era
In 2002, the League of Wales underwent a significant rebranding to become the Welsh Premier League, a move by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) designed to modernize the competition and align it with global professional standards while securing commercial partnerships. This change coincided with a sponsorship deal from JT Hughes Mitsubishi, which supported the league's efforts to enhance its visibility and attract investment in Welsh domestic football.[21] The era saw several structural reforms to improve quality and sustainability. In the 2009–10 season, the FAW introduced a domestic club licensing system for the first time, requiring all participating teams to meet criteria on facilities, finances, and organization starting from 2010–11, which aimed to elevate professional standards across the league.[22] This was followed by a major reduction in team numbers for the 2010–11 season, shrinking the league from 18 to 12 clubs in the "Super 12" format to foster greater competitiveness and reduce fixture congestion, though some clubs criticized it for leading to repetitive matchups.[23] Further evolution came in 2014–15 with the introduction of a mid-season split after 22 games, dividing the 12 teams into a top-six Championship Conference for title and European contention and a bottom-six Play-off Conference focused on avoiding relegation, which added drama to the closing stages.[24] The New Saints (TNS) established dominance from the mid-2000s onward, securing eight consecutive titles from 2011–12 to 2018–19 after earlier successes in 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2009–10, largely due to their full-time professional setup and investment in talent.[16] Financial challenges plagued several clubs, exemplified by Llanelli AFC's expulsion in 2013 following a High Court winding-up order over £21,000 in unpaid taxes, which forced the club into administration and highlighted ongoing economic vulnerabilities in the league.[25] Sponsorship evolved to reflect the league's commercial aspirations, with shifts supporting operations and branding.| Period | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002–2004 | JT Hughes Mitsubishi | Initial rebranding partner, emphasizing automotive ties.[26] |
| 2004–2006 | Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers | Three-year deal announced in 2004, including vehicle leasing perks for clubs.[26] |
| 2006–2011 | Principality Building Society | Multi-year agreement starting in 2006 to boost community engagement.[27] |
| 2011–2015 | Dafabet | Betting firm sponsorship amid growing international interest.[28] |
Cymru Premier era
In 2019, the Welsh Premier League underwent a significant rebranding to the Cymru Premier, aligning the competition more closely with Welsh cultural identity, as "Cymru" translates to "Wales" in the Welsh language. This change was part of a broader restructuring of the top two tiers of Welsh football, introducing the "Cymru Leagues" umbrella brand to promote national heritage and accessibility. Concurrently, JD Sports became the title sponsor starting from the 2019–20 season, rebranding the league as the JD Cymru Premier under a multi-year agreement that extended to the second-tier divisions as well.[30][31] The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the league's early Cymru era, with the 2019–20 season curtailed in March 2020 due to lockdowns, and Connah's Quay Nomads declared champions via an unweighted points-per-game calculation after 23 of 32 rounds. This decision, ratified by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), marked the first title for a non-The New Saints (TNS) club in several years and highlighted the league's adaptability amid global disruptions. The 2020–21 season was also affected, with crowd restrictions and scheduling adjustments continuing the challenges. Professionalization efforts accelerated in the mid-2020s, bolstered by the FAW's announcement of a £6 million investment package over four years in February 2024, aimed at enhancing club infrastructure, player contracts, and operational standards to elevate the domestic game's competitiveness.[32][33] Key on-field innovations included the introduction of "VAR Lite" for the 2025–26 season, a simplified video assistant referee system using six cameras per match to assist with decisions, including semi-automated offside technology, deployed across all fixtures to improve accuracy without the full infrastructure of elite leagues. TNS reaffirmed their dominance by securing four consecutive titles from 2021–22 to 2024–25, contributing to Wales' improved standing in the UEFA association coefficient rankings, reaching around 50th position in 2025 through stronger European performances. In September 2024, the FAW outlined further reforms for 2026–27, expanding the league to 16 teams via six promotions from the Cymru North and South divisions, followed by a three-way split after 30 matches into Championship (top four), Play-off (positions 5–8), and Relegation (bottom four) conferences to intensify competition and promotion/relegation stakes.[34][35][36][1][37]Competition format
Current format
The Cymru Premier operates as a 12-team league for the 2025–26 season, structured in two phases to determine final standings. In Phase 1, all teams compete in a double round-robin format, playing each opponent twice—once at home and once away—for 22 matches per team. This phase establishes initial rankings, with results carrying forward into Phase 2.[5][1] Phase 2 splits the league into two conferences: the top six teams enter the Championship Conference, while the bottom six form the Play-off Conference. Within each conference, teams play a further double round-robin, facing the other five teams twice for 10 additional matches, bringing the total to 32 games per team. This format, introduced in the 2013–14 season, aims to maintain competitiveness by focusing later fixtures on relevant rivals.[5] The standard points system applies throughout: three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss. In the event of tied points, teams are separated first by overall goal difference, then by total goals scored; if still level, head-to-head results (points, goal difference, and goals scored in those matches) are considered, followed by additional criteria such as total wins and disciplinary records if necessary.[5] The season runs from early August to late April, with the 2025–26 campaign opening on 8–10 August 2025 and concluding with the final round of Phase Two fixtures on 17–19 April 2026, followed by promotion/relegation play-offs in late April and early May. It includes traditional festive fixtures around Christmas and New Year, as well as mid-season breaks, such as after Phase 1 ends on 9–11 January 2026, before Phase 2 resumes on 23–25 January 2026.[38][39] Clubs must register a squad of at least 18 and no more than 25 players, including a minimum of two goalkeepers and eight home-grown players (those registered with the FAW for at least two consecutive seasons before age 21). All listed players require professional contracts, though players aged 16–19 (or up to two 15-year-olds under specific rules) can be selected as youth substitutes without inclusion on the main list, allowing flexibility for younger talent. Squad updates are permitted during professional registration windows or limited additions between them.[40][5]Future format
Starting from the 2026–27 season, the JD Cymru Premier will expand to 16 teams, with each club playing every other team twice—once at home and once away—for a total of 30 matches.[1] After these initial round-robin fixtures, the league will split into three distinct end-of-season conferences based on standings: the top six teams enter the Championship Race, teams in seventh to tenth places compete in the European Challenger group, and the bottom six teams face off in the Survival Zone.[1] In the Championship Race, each of the top six teams plays the others once more across five additional matchdays (31–35), determining the league champion as the group winner; the top five in this conference, along with the winner of the European Challenger, secure spots in UEFA competitions or play-offs.[41] The European Challenger involves the four mid-table teams playing each other once (three additional games each), with the group winner earning a UEFA Conference League play-off spot.[1] In the Survival Zone, the bottom six teams also play each other once (five additional games), where the 15th- and 16th-placed clubs are automatically relegated to the JD Cymru North or South, and the 14th-placed team enters a promotion/relegation play-off against the winner of a match between the runners-up of those second-tier leagues.[41] This revamped structure was confirmed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) in September 2024 as part of a broader strategic vision to foster sustainable growth in Welsh domestic football, emphasizing enhanced fan engagement, competitive balance, and revenue generation through more meaningful end-of-season fixtures.[1] The format aims to increase the total number of matches for most teams—up to 35 for those in the top and bottom groups—while promoting parity by rewarding strong early performances with high-stakes conference games.[42] Funding for the expansion and related initiatives, including over €3 million in investments for professionalization, branding, facilities, and on-pitch improvements, supports the transition to a more competitive league.[43] The expansion to 16 teams will be achieved through the promotion of six clubs from the second tier across the 2025–26 season, ensuring the new format debuts fully in 2026–27 without disrupting the ongoing 12-team setup.[36] Potential impacts include elevating average match attendances beyond 1,000 by 2030 and facilitating more full-time professional operations at clubs via targeted grants for staff roles in operations, community, and commercial areas.[43] These changes align with the FAW's data-driven analysis, conducted in partnership with consultants like Twenty First Group, to build long-term viability and international competitiveness.[41]Relegation and promotion
In the 2025–26 season, the bottom two teams in the Cymru Premier—specifically those finishing 11th and 12th overall after the Play-off Conference phase—are automatically relegated to the JD Cymru North or JD Cymru South, depending on their geographic location and licensing status.[44][36] Unlike standard seasons, there is no relegation playoff for the third-from-bottom team this year to accommodate the league's expansion.[45] Promotion to the Cymru Premier for 2025–26 features an expanded intake of six teams to support the transition to a 16-team league in 2026–27. The top three finishers in the JD Cymru North and the top three in the JD Cymru South, determined by final standings after a split-season championship conference, are automatically promoted, subject to obtaining a Tier 1 Club Licence from the Football Association of Wales (FAW).[44][36] The FAW Club Licensing criteria for promoted teams emphasize standards for facilities, such as floodlit pitches, seating capacity, and medical provisions, as well as financial stability through audited accounts and governance requirements. Teams failing to meet these must remain in Tier 2 or face further assessment.[46] Historically, promotion and relegation between the top tier and second tier have operated on a two-way basis since the 2008–09 season, when the FAW restructured the pyramid by splitting the former single second tier into the regional Cymru North and Cymru South leagues. Prior to this, the Welsh Premier League (now Cymru Premier) functioned as a closed competition with limited or no relegation. Adjustments to the number of promotions and relegations have occurred periodically to balance league sizes, such as the current expansion provisions.[44]European qualification
The qualification for European competitions from the Cymru Premier is governed by UEFA's access list, with Wales receiving one spot in the UEFA Champions League and two in the UEFA Conference League for the 2025/26 season, reflecting its 50th position in the UEFA country coefficient rankings with a total of 5.625 points.[47][48] The league champions qualify directly for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League; if eliminated, they transfer to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.[6] The second-placed team enters the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, while the third spot is determined by the winner of the JD Cymru Premier European play-off, contested among teams finishing second through seventh and structured to incorporate the Welsh Cup winner if they have not already qualified via their league position—ensuring no duplication of spots.[49] There is no direct path to the UEFA Europa League for Welsh clubs under current rules.[50] This system prioritizes the cup winner for a Conference League place if their league standing is lower than second, with play-off adjustments to fill the remaining allocation; for example, if the cup winner finishes in the top two, the play-off expands to include lower-ranked teams for the displaced spot.[51] The Football Association of Wales (FAW) manages these entries by aligning the domestic schedule with UEFA's calendar, allowing qualifiers sufficient preparation time between league fixtures and European ties.[49] Wales' coefficient ranking influences the early qualifying rounds, limiting teams to preliminary stages and underscoring the challenge for progression.[50] The New Saints have been the most consistent qualifiers, appearing frequently since the 2000s and achieving Welsh football's landmark run to the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League league phase after dropping from the Champions League qualifiers.[8] Since the league's inception in 1992, 15 distinct Welsh clubs have competed in UEFA tournaments, highlighting gradual but limited international exposure compared to higher-ranked associations.[52]2025–26 season
League table
The 2025–26 JD Cymru Premier season features 12 teams competing in the standard format: an initial round-robin phase of 22 matches (home and away against each opponent), followed by a split into a six-team Championship Conference and a six-team Play-off Conference, with points carried forward and each team playing an additional 10 matches within their group to determine final standings. The season began in late July 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in May 2026.[1] As of November 16, 2025, the league is in the initial phase, with teams having played approximately 12-14 matches. The New Saints lead the standings, maintaining their strong form from previous seasons. Full current standings can be found on official sources. The season will split after matchday 22 in early 2026.[53]Clubs and locations
The 2025–26 JD Cymru Premier consists of 12 teams, including the top 10 from the 2024–25 season and two promoted clubs: Colwyn Bay (Cymru North champions) and Llanelli Town (Cymru South champions, after securing a Tier 1 licence). Aberystwyth Town and Newtown were relegated to Cymru South and Cymru North, respectively. The teams are based primarily in Wales, with The New Saints located in England. Fixtures are played at home stadiums, with the season emphasizing regional representation from North, Mid, and South Wales.[54][55][56]| Team | Location | Stadium (Capacity) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bala Town | Bala | Maes Tegid (3,000) | |
| Barry Town United | Barry | Jenner Park Stadium (2,650) | |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Briton Ferry | Old Road (2,300) | |
| Caernarfon Town | Caernarfon | The Oval (3,000) | |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cardiff | Cyncoed Campus (1,620) | |
| Colwyn Bay | Colwyn Bay | Llanelian Road (2,500) | Promoted as Cymru North champions |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Connah's Quay | Cae-y-Castell (3,000) | |
| Flint Town United | Flint | Essity Stadium (3,000) | |
| Haverfordwest County | Haverfordwest | Bridge Meadow Stadium (2,100) | |
| Llanelli Town | Llanelli | Stebonheath Park (3,500) | Promoted as Cymru South champions |
| Penybont | Bridgend | Bryntirion Park (3,000) | |
| The New Saints | Oswestry, England | Park Hall (2,034) | Defending champions |
2024–25 season
League table
The 2024–25 Cymru Premier season featured 12 teams competing in a total of 32 matches each, following an initial round-robin phase of 22 games and a subsequent split into a six-team Championship Conference and a six-team Play-off Conference, with points carried forward and each group playing a further 10 matches.[49] The New Saints won the title, securing their 17th Cymru Premier championship and completing a domestic treble by also winning the JD Welsh Cup. As champions and cup winners, The New Saints qualified for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, with the cup spot reallocating to league runners-up Penybont for the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. Haverfordwest County earned the third European spot by winning the end-of-season play-offs, defeating Barry Town United in the semi-finals and Caernarfon Town 3–1 in the final to qualify for the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round. The bottom two teams, Newtown and Aberystwyth Town, were directly relegated to the Cymru North and Cymru South respectively.[58][59][60][54] The final league table after 32 matches (overall standings by points, adjusted for known positions) is presented below. Note: Exact goal tallies and some positions verified from multiple sources; Barry Town United finished 7th overall despite strong play-off conference performance.| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The New Saints | 32 | 26 | 0 | 6 | 89 | 31 | +58 | 78 | Qualification for UEFA Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Penybont | 32 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 56 | 32 | +24 | 64 | Qualification for UEFA Conference League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Haverfordwest County | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 51 | Qualification for UEFA Conference League first qualifying round (via play-offs) |
| 4 | Caernarfon Town | 32 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 48 | |
| 5 | Cardiff Metropolitan | 32 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 43 | 46 | −3 | 44 | |
| 6 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 47 | 35 | +12 | 42 | |
| 7 | Barry Town United | 32 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 55 | 51 | +4 | 52 | European play-off semi-finalists |
| 8 | Flint Town United | 32 | 13 | 3 | 16 | 48 | 62 | −14 | 42 | |
| 9 | Bala Town | 32 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 38 | 43 | −5 | 37 | |
| 10 | Briton Ferry Llansawel | 32 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 46 | 65 | −19 | 32 | |
| 11 | Newtown | 32 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 65 | −29 | 26 | Relegation to Cymru North |
| 12 | Aberystwyth Town | 32 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 28 | 71 | −43 | 21 | Relegation to Cymru South |
Clubs and locations
The 2024–25 Cymru Premier season consisted of twelve teams, primarily based in Wales with one club located across the England-Wales border. These clubs competed in a league format that split into championship and relegation groups after 22 matches, with fixtures played at their respective home stadiums. The teams represented a mix of established top-flight participants and recent promotees, drawing from various regions including North Wales, South Wales, and Mid Wales.[64]| Team | Location | Stadium (Capacity) | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberystwyth Town | Aberystwyth | Park Avenue (5,000) | 352 |
| Bala Town | Bala | Maes Tegid (3,000) | 272 |
| Barry Town United | Barry | Jenner Park Stadium (2,650) | 433 |
| Briton Ferry Llansawel | Briton Ferry | Old Road (2,300) | 543 |
| Caernarfon Town | Caernarfon | The Oval (3,000) | 576 |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cardiff | Cyncoed Campus (1,620) | 281 |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | Connah's Quay | Cae-y-Castell (3,000) | 234 |
| Flint Town United | Flint | Essity Stadium (3,000) | 341 |
| Haverfordwest County | Haverfordwest | Bridge Meadow Stadium (2,100) | 519 |
| Newtown | Newtown | Latham Park (5,000) | 334 |
| Penybont | Bridgend | Bryntirion Park (3,000) | 618 |
| The New Saints | Oswestry, England | Park Hall (2,034) | 360 |
Champions and records
List of champions by season
The Welsh Premier Division, now known as the Cymru Premier, has crowned a champion each season since its inception as the League of Wales in 1992–93. The league's format has evolved over time, initially featuring 20 teams in a single division before reducing to 12 teams with a split system in 2003–04, and further adjustments in 2019–20 when the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Connah's Quay Nomads declared champions based on points-per-game calculations after 22 of 31 rounds.[67][68] Prior to the introduction of the championship and relegation conferences in 2014–15, the title was decided solely on the regular season standings. The New Saints (TNS) have dominated the competition since 2005, securing 17 titles as of the 2024–25 season, including nine consecutive from 2011–12 to 2018–19 and four more from 2021–22 to 2024–25. Earlier, Barry Town achieved five consecutive titles from 1995–96 to 1998–99.[67][10] The following table lists the champions for all 33 seasons up to 2024–25, including runners-up where records are available, the champion's points total, the top scorer, and the European qualification path for the champion (typically the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, subject to UEFA coefficient adjustments). Data is drawn from official records; points and top scorer details are not uniformly recorded for early seasons due to format variations.[67][69][70]| Season | Champion | Points | Runners-up | Top Scorer (Club, Goals) | European Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | Cwmbran Town | 56 | Inter Cardiff | Steve Woods (Ebbw Vale, 39) | Champions League Q1 |
| 1993–94 | Bangor City | 67 | Inter Cardiff | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 1994–95 | Bangor City | 64 | Caernarfon Town | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 1995–96 | Barry Town | 72 | Bangor City | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 1996–97 | Barry Town | 67 | Inter Cardiff | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 1997–98 | Barry Town | 70 | Bangor City | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 1998–99 | Barry Town | 76 | Inter Cardiff | Eifion Williams (Barry Town, 28) | Champions League Q1 |
| 1999–00 | TNS Llansantffraid | 65 | Barry Town | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 2000–01 | Barry Town | 78 | TNS | Not recorded | Champions League Q1 |
| 2001–02 | Barry Town | 82 | TNS | Marc Lloyd Williams (Bangor City, 43) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2002–03 | Barry Town | 105 | TNS | Graham Evans (Caersws, 32) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2003–04 | Rhyl | 74 | TNS | Graham Evans (Caersws, 24) | Champions League Q2 |
| 2004–05 | TNS | 82 | Rhyl | Marc Lloyd Williams (TNS, 27) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2005–06 | TNS | 78 | Rhyl | Rhys Griffiths (Port Talbot Town, 29) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2006–07 | The New Saints | 77 | Rhyl | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 37) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2007–08 | Llanelli | 73 | The New Saints | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 40) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2008–09 | Rhyl | 75 | Llanelli | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 30) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2009–10 | The New Saints | 70 | Llanelli | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 29) | Champions League Q2 |
| 2010–11 | Bangor City | 72 | The New Saints | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 25) | Champions League Q2 |
| 2011–12 | The New Saints | 80 | Bangor City | Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli, 43) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2012–13 | The New Saints | 77 | Airbus UK Broughton | Michael Wilde (TNS, 27) | Champions League Q2 |
| 2013–14 | The New Saints | 90 | Airbus UK Broughton | Chris Venables (Aberystwyth Town, 28) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2014–15 | The New Saints | 68 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Chris Venables (Aberystwyth Town, 23) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2015–16 | The New Saints | 80 | Bala Town | Chris Venables (Aberystwyth Town, 20) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2016–17 | The New Saints | 92 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Jason Oswell (Newtown, 21) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2017–18 | The New Saints | 97 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Greg Draper (TNS, 23) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2018–19 | The New Saints | 105 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Greg Draper (TNS, 31) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2019–20 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 52 (PPG) | The New Saints | Chris Venables (Bala Town, 22) | Champions League Q1 (curtailed) |
| 2020–21 | Connah's Quay Nomads | 49 | The New Saints | Chris Venables (Bala Town, 12) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2021–22 | The New Saints | 90 | Bala Town | Declan McManus (TNS, 19) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2022–23 | The New Saints | 88 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Declan McManus (TNS, 26) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2023–24 | The New Saints | 92 | Connah's Quay Nomads | Brad Young (TNS, 19) | Champions League Q1 |
| 2024–25 | The New Saints | 78 | Penybont | Louis Lloyd (Caernarfon Town, 16) / James Crole (Penybont, 16) | Champions League Q1 |
Title wins by club
The Cymru Premier, formerly known as the Welsh Premier League, has seen seven clubs claim its title since the competition's inception in the 1992–93 season. The New Saints (TNS) stand as the most dominant force, with 17 championships as of the 2024–25 season, accounting for over half of all titles awarded through the 2024–25 season. This remarkable record underscores TNS's sustained excellence, particularly since rebranding from Llansantffraid FC in 2006, though their success traces back to the late 1990s. Barry Town United follows with seven titles, largely concentrated in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reflecting an era of South Walian prominence before the league's power shifted northward.| Club | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| The New Saints | 17 | 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 |
| Barry Town United | 7 | 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 |
| Bangor City | 3 | 1993–94, 1994–95, 2010–11 |
| Connah's Quay Nomads | 2 | 2019–20, 2020–21 |
| Rhyl | 2 | 2003–04, 2008–09 |
| Cwmbran Town | 1 | 1992–93 |
| Llanelli | 1 | 2007–08 |
Other records
The Cymru Premier has seen varying attendance figures since its inception, with the all-time record crowd of 3,250 recorded at Porthmadog's Traeth ground for a match against Bangor City on 17 May 1994.[73] More recently, the league's average attendance has hovered around 400 per match, as evidenced by the 403 average in the 2024–25 season and approximately 450 in the ongoing 2025–26 campaign.[74] In its early years during the 1990s, attendances were notably lower, often dipping below 100 spectators for some fixtures amid the league's nascent development. The league has produced high-scoring seasons, with the 2018–19 campaign standing out for its offensive output exceeding 1,000 total goals across all matches, driven by teams like The New Saints who netted 99 goals alone.[75] The biggest margin of victory in league history is The New Saints' 16–0 thrashing of Llanelli Town in 2016, showcasing the disparity in competitive levels at times.[76] The New Saints hold several notable streak records, including a 42-game unbeaten run spanning the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, which underscored their dominance during that period. They also achieved four consecutive league titles from 2021–22 to 2024–25, extending their overall supremacy in Welsh football.[10] On the individual front, Marc Lloyd Williams is the all-time leading goalscorer in the Cymru Premier with 319 goals across 468 appearances, a mark set primarily with clubs like Bangor City and Airbus UK Broughton.[77] Foreign players have also made significant impacts, with English striker Michael Wilde ranking among the top foreign contributors after scoring 25 goals in the 2012–13 season for The New Saints, facilitated by the league's relatively open policies on international registrations without strict UEFA-imposed quotas.[78][79] In European contexts, The New Saints achieved a historic milestone with their sole group stage appearance in the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League league phase, marking the first time a Welsh club reached that level in the competition.[80]Sponsorship
Current sponsor
The Cymru Premier has been sponsored by JD Sports since the 2017–18 season, initially under a three-year title sponsorship agreement, and extended in July 2019 with a seven-year deal that runs through the 2025–26 season.[81][31] This deal grants JD Sports naming rights, rebranding the league as the JD Cymru Premier to align with the Welsh language initiative "Cymru" introduced alongside the 2019 partnership.[31] The financial value of the multi-year agreement has not been publicly disclosed, though it encompasses marketing support and promotional integrations to bolster the league's profile.[31] Key elements include JD branding on official match balls supplied by Macron, as well as prominent display of the JD logo across the FAW's league websites and digital platforms.[82][83] The partnership has enhanced the league's visibility through integrated branding on broadcasts and matchday assets, while leveraging JD Sports' extensive UK retail network—over 400 stores—for cross-promotional exposure.[84] It also supports youth development efforts, building on JD's prior involvement in Welsh football academies and development leagues to foster emerging talent.[81] As of November 2025, the sponsorship remains active without reported interruptions, contributing to ongoing strategic initiatives for league growth.[85]Previous sponsors
The Welsh Premier Division, originally formed as the League of Wales in 1992, experienced varying levels of commercial sponsorship in its early decades, with title deals often short-term and reflective of the league's growing professionalization. The inaugural 1992–93 season featured sponsorship from Konica Peter Llewellyn Limited, a Swansea-based company, branding the competition as the Konica League of Wales. This one-year arrangement marked the first commercial partnership for the new top-tier Welsh league.[18][86] From 1993 to 2002, the league operated without a title sponsor, competing under its original name amid efforts to establish financial stability and attract broader investment in Welsh football. Sponsorship returned in 2002 with a one-year deal from JT Hughes Mitsubishi, a Shrewsbury-based car dealer group, which provided a significant six-figure sum and rebranded the league as the JT Hughes Mitsubishi Welsh Premiership. This was followed by a two-year agreement in 2004 with Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers, an automotive network, renaming it the Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers Welsh Premier League and including benefits like favorable car leasing for clubs.[88][89] A shift toward longer-term national partnerships began in 2006, when Principality Building Society, a major Welsh financial institution, signed a three-year deal (later extended) to sponsor the league until 2011, known as the Principality Welsh Premier League during this period. This era saw increased commercial focus, with the building society's involvement highlighting a move from local automotive sponsors to broader financial backers. Subsequent deals emphasized betting and retail sectors: Corbett Sports, a Flintshire-based gaming company, sponsored from 2011 to 2015 under the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League name, providing a three-year initial commitment that supported league operations. Dafabet then took over in 2015 for two seasons, branding it the Dafabet Welsh Premier League and marking one of the largest commercial agreements in the league's history at the time.[27][90][91]| Sponsor | Years | Branded Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konica Peter Llewellyn Limited | 1992–93 | Konica League of Wales | Initial one-season deal with local Swansea firm.[18][86] |
| None | 1993–2002 | League of Wales | Period without title sponsorship. |
| JT Hughes Mitsubishi | 2002–04 | JT Hughes Mitsubishi Welsh Premiership | One-year deal extended; six-figure investment from car dealer.[88][92] |
| Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers | 2004–06 | Vauxhall Masterfit Retailers Welsh Premier League | Two-year automotive partnership with leasing perks for clubs.[89][20] |
| Principality Building Society | 2006–11 | Principality Welsh Premier League | Multi-year national financial sponsorship, extended beyond initial three years.[27][90] |
| Corbett Sports | 2011–15 | Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League | Three-year betting firm deal, extended to cover full period.[90][91] |
| Dafabet | 2015–17 | Dafabet Welsh Premier League | Two-year online gaming sponsorship, largest deal to date then.[93][91] |