Reigning Admiral Premiership champions Merthyr will have an extra week to prepare for the defence of their title in the 2026-27 season after being given a bye in the opening round on 5 September.
The Ironmen will be hoping to match the success of the sides of 2017-2019 who won three Premiership titles in a row, but will once again face stiff opposition from local rivals Pontypridd, Neath and Beddau.
Neath beat Merthyr in the final of the WRU Premiership Cup at Principality Stadium last season and will get the chance to beat them again when they head to The Wern on 21 November. Prior to that, Merthyr will kick-off against newly promoted Bonymaen in Round 2 on 12 September.
The other newly promoted side, Championship East winners Bedwas, will mark their return to the top flight with a home clash against the team that held the title before them, Beddau. They were one of the surprise packages of the season, eventually finishing as runners-up to Merthyr.
Beddau will host Pontypridd in the final round before the Christmas break on 19 December. They then host Neath on 16 January.
After crowning their 150th season with a league and cup double, Blaina will kick-off their first season in the Championship with a home clash against Rumney in the East division. Relegated Cardiff Met won’t have to travel far in their opening four games.
They open at home against Bridgend Athletic, travel down Cyncoed Hill to meet St Peter’s in Round 2 and then welcome Rumney a week later. Their Round 4 fixture is at Llanharan, who won the Division 1 East Central title last season.
In the Championship West, newcomers Abercrave will have home advantage over Aberystwyth in Round 1, while Burry Port head to Tata Steel for their debut. Relegated Brecon start life in a new division with a home tie against Gowerton.
The big kick-off in the other 26 Community Rugby leagues across the country is also on 5 September.
WRU ADMIRAL NATIONAL LEAGUES 2026-27
PREMIERSHIP
Promoted: Bedwas, Bonymaen
Relegated: Cardiff Met (Championship East), Brecon (Championship West)
Teams: Bargoed, Beddau, Bedwas, Bonymaen, Cross Keys, Llanelli Wanderers, Llangennech, Merthyr, Narberth, Neath, Newbridge, Pontypridd, Ystrad Rhondda
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – Community Premiership 26-27
CHAMPIONSHIP EAST
Promoted: Blaina, Llanharan
Relegated: Abertillery BG (1 East), Ynysddu (1 East)
Teams: Aberdare, Blaina, Bridgend Athletic, Cardiff Met, Glamorgan Wanderers, Llanharan, Mountain Ash, Penallta, Rumney, St Joseph’s, St Peter’s, Talywain, Treorchy
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – Championship East 26-27
CHAMPIONSHIP WEST
Promoted: Abercrave, Burry Port
Relegated: Gorseinon (1 West), Crymych (1 West)
Teams: Abercrave, Aberystwyth, Ammanford, Blaina, Brecon, Dunvant, Glynneath, Gowerton, Kenfig Hill, Newcastle Emlyn, Tata Steel, Tondu, Trebanos
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – Championship West 26-27
1 EAST
Promoted: Abercarn, Rhymney
Relegated: Abergavenny (2 East)
Teams: Abercarn, Abertillery BG, Bedlinog, Blackwood, Brynmawr, Monmouth, Nelson, Newport HSOB, Rhymney, Ynysddu
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 1 East 26-27
2 EAST
Promoted: Gwernyfed, Nantyglo
Relegated: Senghenydd (3 East)
Teams: Abergavenny, Caldicot, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Gwernyfed, Nantyglo, Newport Saracens, Pill Harriers, Pontypool United, Usk
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 2 East 26-27
3 EAST
Promoted: Deri, Whiteheads
Relegated: Risca (4 East)
Teams: Caerleon, Chepstow, Deri, Fleur de Lys, Garndiffaith, Machen, New Panteg, RTB (Ebbw Vale), Whiteheads
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 3 East 26-27
4 EAST
Promoted: Bargoed Athletic, Blackwood Stars
Relegated: Abertysswg (5 East)
Teams: Bargoed Athletic, Bedwellty, Blackwood Stars, Crickhowell, Crumlin, Llanhilleth, Oakdale, Pontllanfraith, Risca, Tredegar Ironsides
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 4 East 26-27
5 EAST
Promoted: Brynithel, New Tredegar, Penallta Athletic, St Julian’s HSOB
Relegated: NA
Teams: Abersychan Alexanders, Abertysswg Falcons, Bettws, Brynithel, Hafodyrynys, Hollybush, New Tredegar, Penallta Athletic, St Julians HSOB, Trinant
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 5 East 26-27
6 EAST
Demoted: Beaufort, Blaenavon, Cwmcarn United, Forgeside, Hartridge, Hirwaun
New: Bedwas Athletic
Teams: Beaufort, Bedwas Athletic, Blaenavon, Cwmcarn United, Forgeside, Girling, Hartridge, Hirwaun, Magor, Old Tyleryan
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 6 East 26-27
1 EAST CENTRAL
Promoted: Wattstown, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Reassigned: Dowlais (1 East)
Relegated: Barry (2 East Central), Rhydyfelin (2 East Central)
Teams: Abercwmboi, Abercynon, Caerphilly, Cambrian Welfare, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, Dowlais, Llanishen, Penarth, St Albans, Wattstown
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 1 East Central 26-27
2 EAST CENTRAL
Promoted: Llandaff, Llantrisant
Relegated: Rhiwbina (3 East Central), Taffs Well (3 East Central)
Teams: Barry, Cardiff Quins, Cowbridge, Llandaff, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fardre, Pentyrch, Porth Harlequins, Rhydyfelin, Ynysybwl
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 2 East Central 26-27
3 EAST CENTRAL
Promoted: Pontyclun, Tylorstown
Relegated: Canton (4 East Central), Gilfach Goch (4 East Central)
Teams: Cilfynydd, Dinas Powys, Fairwater, Ferndale, Llantwit Major, Penygraig, Pontyclun, Rhiwbina, Taffs Well, Tylorstown
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 3 East Central 26-27
4 EAST CENTRAL
Promoted: Brecon Athletic, Cardiff Met Athletic
Relegated: Brackla (5 East Central), Llandaff North (5 East Central)
Teams: Brecon Athletic, Canton, Cardiff Met Athletic, Gilfach Goch, Ogmore Vale, Old Illtydians, Pontycymer, Tonyrefail, Treharris, Ynysowen
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 4 East Central 26-27
5 EAST CENTRAL
Promoted: Beddau Athletic, Tondu Athletic
Relegated: Cardiff Saracens (6 East Central), Treherbert (6 East Central)
Teams: Beddau Athletic, Brackla, Caerau Ely, Cefn Coed, Glyncoch, Llandaff North, Llandrindod Wells, Old Penarthians, Tref-Y-Clawdd, Tondu Athletic
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 5 East Central 26-27
6 EAST CENTRAL
Demoted: Sully Sports, Rumney Athletic
New: Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd Athletic
Teams: Bridgend Athletic 2nd XV, Cardiff Saracens, CRCC Athletic, Kenfig Hill Athletic, Llanrumney Rumney Athletic, St Peter’s Athletic, Sully Sports, Treherbert, Whitchurch
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 6 East Central 26-27
1 WEST CENTRAL
Promoted: Aberavon Quins, Neath Athletic
Reassigned: Waunarlwydd (1 West)
Relegated: Maesteg Celtic (2 West Central), Vardre (2 West Central)
Teams: Aberavon Green Stars, Aberavon Harlequins, Builth Wells, Heol y Cyw, Nantyffyllon, Neath Athletic, Skewen, Waunarlwydd, Ystalyfera, Ystradgynlais
Fixtures:WRU Admiral Men’s League – 1 West Central 26-27
2 WEST CENTRAL
Promoted: Brynoch, Cwmavon
Relegated: Bryncethin (3 West Central), Birchgrove (3 West Central)
Teams: Brynamman, Bryncoch, Cwmavon, Maesteg Harlequins, Morriston, Mumbles, Pencoed, Porthcawl, South Gower, Vardre
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 2 West Central 26-27
3 WEST CENTRAL
Promoted: Bonymaen Athletic, Maesteg
Relegated: Baglan (4 West Central), Nantymoel (4 West Central)
Teams: Birchgrove, Bonymaen Athletic, Bryncethin, Maesteg, Maesteg Celtic, Resolven, Rhigos, Seven Sisters, Tonmawr, Tonna
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 3 West Central 26-27
4 WEST CENTRAL
Promoted: Banwen, Cwmgwrach
Relegated: Bridgend Sports (5 West Central), Glais (5 West Central)
Teams: Baglan, Banwen, Briton Ferry, Cefn Cribbwr, Crynant, Cwmgors, Cwmgwrach, Nantymoel, Penlan, Pontardawe
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 4 West Central 26-27
5 WEST CENTRAL
New: Burry Port Athletic
Teams: Bridgend Sports Club, Burry Port Athletic, Cwmllynfell, Cwmtwrch, Dunvant Athletic, Glais, Glyncorrwg, Pontrhydyfen, Pyle, Taibach
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 5 West Central 26-27
1 WEST
Promoted: Aberaeron, Carmarthen Athletic
Relegated: Kidwelly (2 West), Laugharne (2 West)
Teams: Aberaeron, Carmarthen Athletic, Crymych, Felinfoel, Gorseinon, Hendy, Lampeter Town, St Clears, Swansea Uplands, Tenby United
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 1 West 26-27
2 WEST
Promoted: Haverfordwest, New Dock Stars
Relegated: Whitland (3 West)
Teams: Fishguard & Goodwick, Haverfordwest, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Loughor, Nantgaredig, New Dock Stars, Penclawdd, Pontarddulais, Tycroes
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 2 West 26-27
3 WEST
Promoted: Llangadog, Pontyberem
Relegated: Narberth Athletic (4 West A)
Teams: Amman United, Cardigan, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Milford Haven, Neyland, Pontyberem, Trimsaran, Tumble, Whitland
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 3 West 26-27
4 WEST A
New: Aberystwyth Athletic
Teams: Aberystwyth Athletic, Crymych Athletic, Llangwm, Llanybydder, Narberth Athletic, Newcastle Emlyn Athletic, Pembroke Dock Harlequins, Pembroke, St David’s, Tenby United Athletic
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 4 West A 26-27
4 WEST B
Demoted: Bynea
Teams: Betws, Bynea, Cefneithin, Fall Bay, Furnace United, Llandybie, Pantyffynon, Penybanc, Pontyates, Tregaron
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 4 West B 26-27
1 NORTH
Promoted: Mold, Newtown
Relegated: Colwyn Bay (2 North), Welshpool (2 North)
Teams: Bala, Bethesda, Caernarfon, Ruthin, COBRA, Llandudno, Llangefni, Mold, Nant Conwy, Newtown, Pwllheli, Wrexham
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 1 North 26-27
2 North
Promoted: Bangor, Wrexham Athletic
Relegated: Denbigh (2 North East)
Teams: Abergele, Bangor, Bro Ffestiniog, Colwyn Bay, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Nant Conwy Athletic, Rhyl & District, Welshpool, Wrexham Athletic
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 2 North 26-27
3 NORTH EAST
Demoted: Gwernant, Llanidloes
New: Newtown Athletic
Teams: COBRA Athletic, Denbigh, Flint, Gwernant, Llanidloes, Mold Athletic, Newtown Athletic, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruthin Athletic, Shotton Steel
Fixtures: WRU Admiral Men’s League – 3 North East 26-27
3 NORTH WEST
Demoted: Bethesda Athletic, Pwllheli Athletic
New: Rhyl Athletic, Bala Athletic
Teams: Bala Athletic, Bethesda Athletic, Caernarfon Athletic, Colwyn Bay Athletic, Llangefni Athletic, Menai Bridge, Porthmadog, Pwllheli Athletic, Rhyl Athletic