Ardal Leagues

Association football league in Wales

Football league

Ardal Leagues

Founded| 2020
Country|  Wales
Divisions| 2
Number of clubs| 64
Level on pyramid| 3
Promotion to|

* Cymru North
* Cymru South

Relegation to| Central Wales Football League
North East Wales Premier
North Wales Coast East Premier
North Wales Coast West Premier
Gwent Premier
South Wales Premier
West Wales Premier
Domestic cup(s)| Ardal North Cup
Ardal South Cup
Current champions| Brickfield Rangers (NE)
Rhyl 1879 (NW)
Treowen Stars (SE)
Cardiff Draconians (SW)
Current: 2025–26 Ardal NE

The Ardal Leagues[1] are a football league in Wales. The word "ardal" translates as "district" in English, with Wales split into four regions at this level. They have clubs with amateur/semi-professional status and sit at the third level of the Welsh football league system. The first year of their operation would have been 2020–21 but the 2020–21 Ardal North East season, 2020–21 Ardal North West season, 2020–21 Ardal South East season and 2020–21 Ardal South West season were all cancelled.[2] The inaugural season was moved to 2021–22. The creation of the leagues mark the first time the Football Association of Wales owns and is administering tier 3 of the Welsh league system. These changes follow from a review of the Welsh football pyramid.[3] To be eligible clubs need to meet the criteria for FAW tier 3 certification.

The league is split into two leagues, covering North and South Wales. Both Northern and Southern leagues have two regionally-based sections of sixteen clubs each:

* Ardal Northern
* Ardal North East (2025–26 Ardal NE season)
* Ardal North West (2025–26 Ardal NW season)
* Ardal Southern
* Ardal South East (2025–26 Ardal SE season)
* Ardal South West (2025–26 Ardal SW season)

The winners of each league are promoted to either the Cymru North or the Cymru South as long as they meet the FAW's tier 2 certification criteria. Subject to also meeting these criteria, the four runners-up clubs enter play-off matches with two of the clubs also gaining promotion[4] (one from the north and one from the south).

The Ardal Leagues structure replaced the former tier 3 leagues: Welsh Football League Division One, Mid Wales Football League Division One, Welsh Alliance League Division One and the Welsh National League Premier Division, leagues based in South Wales, Mid Wales, North West Wales and North East Wales respectively.

Relegation from the Ardal Leagues is to six local tier 4 leagues, with three clubs relegated from each of the tier 3 leagues at the end of the season. The tier 4 leagues are run by each of the Area Associations of Welsh football, the West Wales Football Association, the South Wales Football Association, the Gwent County Football Association, the Central Wales Football Association, the North East Wales Football Association and the North Wales Coast Football Association.

## Ardal League teams

[edit]

On 10 July 2020 the FAW confirmed the 64 teams in the new tier 3 leagues.[5] In an attempt to avoid dividing the current Mid-Wales teams across all four leagues, the North-East league contains a large contingent of the Mid-Wales teams. The North-West league contains the sides near the North Wales coast. After confirmation of their inclusion STM Sports announced on 27 July that they had folded, leaving only 15 sides in the South West league. On 3 August it was confirmed that Cardiff Draconians had been promoted from the South Wales Alliance League to fill the remaining place in the league.[6]
Since COVID-19-originated restrictions were put in place by the FAW, as from 10 August, clubs could have trained in groups of 15 and contact training would have been allowed at all-levels of football. However, competitive and exhibition matches were still not allowed to take place.[7] Consequently, the FAW decided to cancel what was to be the Ardal Leagues' inaugural 2020–21 season on 4 February 2021,[2] and on 26 March, Montgomery Town withdrew from the North East league for pandemic-related reasons.[8] They were replaced by Cardiff Draconians, as the highest placed team from the Alliance League who had been awarded a licence.[9]

### 2025–26 season

[edit]

The following clubs are league members for the 2025–26 season.

#### Ardal NE

[edit]

* Bow Street
* Builth Wells
* Cefn Albion
* Corwen
* Dolgellau Athletic
* Kerry
* Knighton Town
* Lex XI
* Llandrindod Wells
* Llanfair United
* Llangollen Town
* Llanrhaeadr
* Llanuwchllyn
* Penycae
* Radnor Valley
* Rhos Aelwyd

#### Ardal NW

[edit]

* Bangor City 1876
* Bethesda Athletic
* Connah's Quay Town
* Llangefni Town
* Llannefydd
* Llanrwst United
* Llay Welfare
* Mynydd Isa
* NFA
* Penmaenmawr Phoenix
* Porthmadog
* Prestatyn Town
* Pwllheli
* St Asaph City
* Trearddur Bay
* Y Felinheli

#### Ardal SE

[edit]

* Abercarn United
* Abergavenny Town
* Abertillery Bluebirds
* Blaenavon Blues
* Brecon Corries
* Caerphilly Athletic
* Caldicot Town
* Canton
* Chepstow Town
* Croesyceiliog
* Cwmbran Town
* Goytre
* Lliswerry
* Risca United
* Tredegar Town
* Undy Athletic

#### Ardal SW

[edit]

* AFC Llwydcoed
* Cardiff Airport
* Cardiff Corinthians
* Cefn Cribwr
* Clydach
* Evans & Williams
* Goytre United
* Morriston Town
* Penrhiwceiber Rangers
* Pontardawe Town
* Pure Swansea
* Seven Sisters Onllwyn
* South Gower
* Taff’s Well
* Treherbert
* Ynysygerwn

|
|
|

#### Map

[edit]

NFA

class=notpageimage|

Locations of teams in the 2024–25 season of Ardal leagues[10]

## League champions, runner-ups, relegated teams, and Fair Play winners

[edit]

### Ardal NE

[edit]

Season  | Champions  | Runner-up  | Relegated teams  | Fair Play winners

|
|
|
|

2021–22 | Chirk AAA | Caersws | Carno, Kerry, Four Crosses | Berriew
2022–23 | Caersws | Cefn Albion | Corwen, Rhayader Town | Caersws
2023–24 | Penrhyncoch | Bow Street | Llanrhaeadr, Welshpool Town | Penrhyncoch
2024–25 | Brickfield Rangers | Bow Street | Llanidloes Town, Chirk AAA, Llansantffraid Village | TBC

### Ardal NW

[edit]

Season  | Champions  | Runner-up  | Relegated teams  | Fair Play winners

|
|
|
|

2021–22 | Mold Alexandra | Porthmadog | St Asaph City, Brymbo, Blaenau Amateurs | Porthmadog
2022–23 | Denbigh Town | Bangor 1876 | Rhostyllen | Denbigh Town
2023–24 | Flint Mountain | Llay Welfare | Bethesda Athletic, Hawarden Rangers, Saltney Town | Y Felinheli
2024–25 | Rhyl 1879 | Holyhead Hotspur | Nantlle Vale, Menai Bridge Tigers, Conwy Borough | TBC

### Ardal SE

[edit]

Season  | Champions  | Runner-up  | Relegated teams  | Fair Play winners

|
|
|
|

2021–22 | Abergavenny Town | Abertillery Bluebirds | Panteg, Abertillery Excelsiors, Aberbargoed Buds | Chepstow Town
2022–23 | Abertillery Bluebirds | Risca United | Croesyceiliog, Monmouth Town, RTB Ebbw Vale | Newport City
2023–24 | Trethomas Bluebirds | Newport City | Aberbargoed Buds, Hay St Marys, Lliswerry | Abercarn United
2024–25 | Treowen Stars | Chepstow Town | Tredegar Town, Treharris Athletic Western, Newport Corinthians | TBC

### Ardal SW

[edit]

Season  | Champions  | Runner-up  | Relegated teams  | Fair Play winners

|
|
|
|

2021–22 | Pontardawe Town | Ynyshir Albions | Ton Pentre, West End, AFC Porth | Penrhiwceiber Rangers
2022–23 | Caerau (Ely) | Baglan Dragons | Garden Village, Cwmamman United, Dinas Powys | Caerau (Ely)
2023–24 | Penrhiwceiber Rangers | Cefn Cribwr | Mumbles Rangers, Penydarren BGC, Port Talbot Town | Swansea University
2024–25 | Cardiff Draconians | Ynyshir Albions | Seven Sisters Onllwyn, Bridgend Street, Pontyclun | TBC

### Promotion play-offs

[edit]

#### Ardal Northern

[edit]

Season  | Ardal NE play-off finalist  | Score  | Ardal NW play-off finalist

|
|
|

2021–22 | Caersws | 0–5 | Porthmadog
2022–23 | Cefn Albion | 2–4 (a.e.t.) | Bangor 1876
2023–24 | Llanuwchllyn | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (5–6 p) | Llay Welfare
2024–25 | Llanuwchllyn | 0–3 | Holyhead Hotspur

#### Ardal Southern

[edit]

Season  | Ardal SE play-off finalist  | Score  | Ardal SW play-off finalist

|
|
|

2021–22 | Abertillery Bluebirds | 0–3 | Ynyshir Albions
2022–23 | Risca United | 0–2 | Baglan Dragons
2023–24 | Newport City | 2–1 | Cefn Cribwr
2024–25 | Chepstow Town | 0–2 | Ynyshir Albions

## See also

[edit]

* List of association football competitions
* Mid Wales Football League
* Welsh Alliance League
* Welsh Football League
* Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "ARDAL LEAGUES COMPLETE DOMESTIC PYRAMID RESTRUCTURE". Football Association of Wales. 28 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
2. ^ a b Jones, Jordan (4 February 2021). "Football season cancelled for many in Wales after FAW meeting". Y Clwb Pêl-Droed. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
3. ^ "The Pyramid Review". Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
4. ^ Llyr, Owain. "Welsh football: Leagues restructure confirmed by FAW". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
5. ^ "Membership of Tier 3 leagues confirmed". Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
6. ^ Jones, Jordan (3 August 2020). "Cardiff Draconians admitted to Ardal Leagues". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
7. ^ "FAW News". Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
8. ^ "Montgomery Town have withdrawn from the Ardal Leagues". Y Clwb Pêl-Droed. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
9. ^ Jones, Jordan (3 August 2020). "Cardiff Draconians admitted to Ardal Leagues". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
10. ^ Jordan Jones (7 June 2024). "Ardal Leagues allocations for 2024-25 season as map shows all 64 clubs". Y Clwb Pêl-Droed. Retrieved 12 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Ardal Northern twitter
* Ardal Southern twitter
* Ardal Northern Leagues
* Y Clwb Pêl-droed

* v
* t
* e

Ardal Leagues

Seasons|

* 2021–22 NE
* 2021–22 NW
* 2021–22 SE
* 2021–22 SW
* 2022–23 NE
* 2022–23 NW
* 2022–23 SE
* 2022–23 SW
* 2023–24 NE
* 2023–24 NW
* 2023–24 SE
* 2023–24 SW
* 2024–25 NE
* 2024–25 NW
* 2024–25 SE
* 2024–25 SW

2025–26
teams|

| Ardal NE|

* Bow Street
* Builth Wells
* Cefn Albion
* Corwen
* Dolgellau Athletic
* Kerry
* Knighton Town
* Lex XI
* Llandrindod Wells
* Llanfair United
* Llangollen Town
* Llanrhaeadr
* Llanuwchllyn
* Penycae
* Radnor Valley
* Rhos Aelwyd

|

Ardal NW|

* Bangor City 1876
* Bethesda Athletic
* Connah's Quay Town
* Llangefni Town
* Llannefydd
* Llanrwst United
* Llay Welfare
* Mynydd Isa
* NFA
* Penmaenmawr Phoenix
* Porthmadog
* Prestatyn Town
* Pwllheli
* St Asaph City
* Trearddur Bay
* Y Felinheli

Ardal SE|

*   * Abercarn United
* Abergavenny Town
* Abertillery Bluebirds
* Blaenavon Blues
* Brecon Corries
* Caerphilly Athletic
* Caldicot Town
* Canton
* Chepstow Town
* Croesyceiliog
* Cwmbran Town
* Goytre
* Lliswerry
* Risca United
* Tredegar Town
* Undy Athletic

Ardal SW|

* AFC Llwydcoed
* Cardiff Airport
* Cardiff Corinthians
* Cefn Cribwr
* Clydach
* Evans & Williams
* Goytre United
* Morriston Town
* Penrhiwceiber Rangers
* Pontardawe Town
* Pure Swansea
* Seven Sisters Onllwyn
* South Gower
* Taff’s Well
* Treherbert
* Ynysygerwn

Cups|

* Ardal North Cup
* Ardal South Cup

* v
* t
* e

Football in Wales

* Football Association of Wales
* Welsh Football Trust
* Dragon Park, Wales National Football Development Centre
* Colliers Park
* PFA

National teams|

| Men|

* Wales
* Under-21
* Under-20
* Under-19
* Under-18
* Under-17
* Wales C (semi-professional)

|

Women|

* Wales
* Under-19
* Under-17

League system|

| Men|

| Tier 1–3|

* Cymru Premier (1)
* Cymru North (2)
* Cymru South (2)
* Ardal Leagues (3)

|

Tier 4–6|

* Aberystwyth League (5)
* Carmarthenshire League (5–7)
* Central Wales Football League (4)
* Ceredigion League (5–7)
* Gwent County League (4–6)
* Mid Wales South (5)
* Montgomeryshire Football League (5)
* Neath & District League (5–9)
* North East Wales Football League (4–6)
* North Wales Coast East (4–5)
* North Wales Coast West (4–5)
* Pembrokeshire League (5–9)
* South Wales Premier League (4–6)
* Swansea Senior Football League (5–7)
* West Wales Premier League (4)

Tier 7–10|

* Aberdare Valley League (7)
* Bridgend & District League (7–9)
* Cardiff & District League (7–10)
* Cardiff Combination League (7–9)
* East Gwent League (7–8)
* Gwent Central League (7–8)
* Merthyr & District League (7)
* Newport and District League (7–9)
* North Gwent Football League (7)
* Port Talbot Football League (7)
* Rhondda & District League (7–8)
* Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League (7–8)
* Vale of Glamorgan League (7–9)

Defunct
leagues|

* Anglesey (1897–2020)
* Bangor & District (1930–37, 1945–50)
* Caernarfon & District (1950–2014)
* Cambrian Coast League (1905–22, 1930–63)
* Clwyd (1974–2011)
* Cymru Alliance (1990–2019)
* Denbighshire (1890–1902)
* Gwynedd (1983–2020)
* North East Wales (2011–20)
* North Wales Alliance (1912–21)
* North Wales Coast (1893–1921, 1933–35)
* South Wales Amateur (1946–2015)
* South Wales (1890–1911)
* South Wales Senior (1991–2015)
* Vale of Clwyd and Conwy (2011–20)
* Vale of Conwy (1922–2002)
* Welsh Alliance (1984–2020)
* Welsh Football League (1904–2020)
* Welsh League North (1935–84)
* Welsh National League (North) (1921–30)
* Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) (1945–2020)
* Wrexham and District (1903–12, 1925–39)

Women|

* Adran Premier
* Adran North
* Adran South

Domestic cups|

| Men|

| Active|

* Welsh Cup
* Welsh League Cup
* FAW Trophy
* FAW Welsh Youth Cup
* Ardal North Cup
* Ardal South Cup

|

Defunct|

* Welsh Football League Cup (1925–2020)
* Cymru Alliance League Cup (1990–2019)
* FAW Premier Cup (1997–2008)

Women|

* FAW Women's Cup
* Adran Trophy

* Association football portal
* Women's association football portal
* Sports portal
* Wales portal
* List of clubs
* Women's football in Wales

* v
* t
* e

Third-level football leagues of Europe (UEFA)

Current|

* Albania
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium (Flanders•Wallonia)
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Federation
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* Bohemia
* Moravia-Silesia
* Denmark
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* Estonia
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* France
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* Iceland
* Rep of Ireland
* Leinster
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* Israel
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* Montenegro
* Netherlands
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* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Division A
* Scotland
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* Wales

Former|

* Belgium
* England
* Third Division
* Third Division North
* Third Division South
* Second Division
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* East Germany
* Bavaria
* Berlin
* North Baden
* Rhineland
* Saarland
* Schwarzwald-Bodensee
* South Baden
* Southwest
* Württemberg
* Central
* Regionalliga West/Südwest
* Greece
* Rep of Ireland
* Connacht
* A Championship
* B Division
* Ulster
* Israel
* Italy
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Northern Ireland
* Portugal
* Second Division
* Third Division
* Campeonato de Portugal
* Scotland
* Soviet Union
* Spain
* Wales
* North
* Mid
* South
* Wrexham
* Yugoslavia
* Third League
* Croatia
* Macedonia
* Montenegro
* Slovenia

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