FAI National League
 | |
| Founded | 2024 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2026 |
| Country |  Ireland |
| Number of clubs | 15 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | League of Ireland First Division (starting from 2027) |
| Domestic cup | FAI Cup |
| Current: 2026 FAI National League | |
The FAI National League is a proposed association football league in the Republic of Ireland,[1] scheduled to commence in August 2026, intended to act as a third tier in the Irish football league system below the League of Ireland. It was announced in December 2024 by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI),[2] who invited teams to apply to enter the competition. Intended to consist of 20 teams split into North and South divisions, as of December 2024 the FAI had reportedly received almost 70 applications from interested clubs.[3][4][5][6]
History
In December 2024, the FAI formally invited clubs to express interest in a new third-tier “National League” due to commence in August 2026, with the aim of bridging the gap between regional amateur football and the League of Ireland First Division.[2][4] The proposed league is intended to feature promotion to the First Division and relegation into existing provincial competitions, creating a national pyramid for the first time since the A Championship folded in 2011.[7]
The FAI proposed to select 20 clubs, divided into regional North and South divisions, based on criteria such as facilities, governance, and financial stability.[7] Some clubs interested include reserve teams of League of Ireland clubs, established school teams and ambitious non-league sides, some considering joint bids in order to meet the required standards.[4]
On 19 December 2025, the FAI announced that 15 founding clubs would form the new FAI National League, despite expectations that a 20 team line-up would be announced. The league is scheduled to begin with a shortened introductory season in Autumn 2026 and is intended to operate as the top tier of the men’s grassroots game, providing a formal pathway to the League of Ireland. The 15 confirmed clubs were selected following an assessment process that began with 67 expressions of interest and was designed to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness. The announced clubs represent all four provinces and ten counties, with five places remaining unfilled. The FAI stated that the league would commence with a truncated inaugural season, with promotion and relegation arrangements to be introduced from the 2027 season. From that point, the winners of the North and South divisions will compete in a play-off final to determine the FAI National League champions. Subject to licensing approval, the champions will then face the bottom-placed club in the League of Ireland First Division in a promotion and relegation play-off. The FAI also stated that a final application window would remain open for clubs seeking to fill the remaining five places, with a deadline of 31 January 2026.[8]
On 20 May 2026, the FAI announced the format for the first season. The first season would include only the 15 clubs that were announced in December 2025, with the FAI reiterating that a 20 team league was still the plan for future seasons. The format would see the 15 clubs split into three groups of five teams. The four best performing teams (the three group winners and the best runner-up) will then enter into a semi-final before a final is played to crown the inaugural National League Champions.[9][10]
Teams
Confirmed clubs
On 19 December 2025, the FAI named the 15 clubs expected to play in the competition's inaugural year. They included:[11][9]
Stadiums and locations
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonagee United | Letterkenny | Dry Arch Park | |
| CK United | Carlow | SETU Sports Campus | |
| Cockhill Celtic | Buncrana | Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds | 1,000 |
| Home Farm | Whitehall | Whitehall Stadium | 1,800 |
| Killarney Celtic | Killarney | Celtic Park | |
| Letterkenny Rovers | Letterkenny | Leckview Park | 1,000 |
| Lucan United | Lucan | Westmanstown Road | |
| Mayo FC | Castlebar | Umbro Park | 1,500 |
| Mervue United | Galway | Fahy's Field | |
| Newbridge Town | Newbridge | Station Road | 2,180 |
| Salthill Devon | Galway | NFP Park | 2,000 |
| St Francis | Baldonnel | John Hyland Park | |
| TU Dublin | Blanchardstown | TU Dublin Blanchardstown | |
| UCC | Mardyke | The Mardyke | 800 |
| Villa | Waterford | Connors Park |
References
- ↑ "National League". www.fai.ie.
- 1 2 "FAI welcomes Expressions of Interest for a new National League". fai.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ↑ "FAI set to create new league to bridge gap to LOI". 12 December 2024 – via www.rte.ie.
- 1 2 3 "FAI ask for expressions of interest from clubs interested in joining new League of Ireland third tier". Irish Independent. 12 December 2024.
- ↑ Donovan, Shane (12 December 2024). "FAI launch National League creating 'clear pathway' to League of Ireland". Irish Examiner.
- ↑ "67 Clubs Interested In Following The Kerry FC Journey". 5 March 2025.
- 1 2 "FAI outline details of new league, invite expressions of interest". The 42. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ "FAI National League to feature at least 15 clubs". RTÉ Sport. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- 1 2 "2026 FAI National League format confirmed". FAI. 20 May 2026. Archived from the original on 21 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "FAI National League moves closer as format is confirmed". RTÉ Sport. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "15 clubs confirmed for new FAI National League". fai.ie (Press release). 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.