There will be more clubs than ever before taking part when the WRU Admiral National Women’s Leagues kick-off the new season on Sunday, 6 September.
The upward trend of recent years has been continued as the women’s game continues to grow at all levels across the country. Last year there were 40 clubs playing in the National League structure, whereas the 2026-27 season will see 43 taking part.
That is three more clubs than played in last season’s playing pyramid, which saw Llandaff North crowned as Premiership champions. They also picked up the Women’s Cup at Principality Stadium and they will once again be the team to beat in the new campaign.
They will launch the defence of their title with a home tie against Seven Sisters on the opening weekend of the new season. Newly promoted Senghenydd Sirens, who won the Championship title last season, will welcome Pontyclun in their first fixture in the top flight.
Senghenydd’s rise through the ranks has meant Caernarfon have been relegated to the North division from the Premiership, where they will have to battle it out with Bala, who won the title at the first attempt last season as well as carrying off the WRU Bowl at Principality Stadium.
The other promoted teams, who all won their respective leagues last season, are Abercynon (East), Pembroke (West) and Treorchy (Central). They all move up to the Championship.
As a consequence, Dowlais and Llantwit Fadre have moved from East to Central, Whitchurch and Taffs Well have moved from Central to East and Whitland have dropped down to West from the Championship.
WRU ADMIRAL NATIONAL WOMEN’S LEAGUES 2026-27
Premiership (8): Bonymaen, Burry Port, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, LLandaff North, Pontyclun, Senghenydd, Seven Sisters, Ynysddu
Championship (9): Abercynon, Gwernyfed, Haverfordwest, Lampeter Town, Old Penarthians, Pembroke, Treorchy, West Swansea Hawks, Ynysybwl
East (5): Blackwood, Ebbw Vale, Newport HSOB, Whitchurch, Taffs Well
Central (5): Dowlais, Llantwit Fardre, Penygraig, Porthcawl, Tondu
West (8): Aberystwyth, Ammanford, Carmarthen Athletic, Morriston, Newcastle Emlyn, Tumble, Tycroes, Whitland
North (8): Abergele, Bala, Caernarfon, COBRA, Holyhead, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Wrexham .
The three new teams for the upcoming season have all joined the West League after completing the new team process – Aberystwyth, Ammanford and Carmarthen Athletic.
“It is great to see growth once again in the number of clubs entering our national league system. It is also good that two of the clubs coming in are building on the girls’ pathway in their areas,” said Caryl Thomas, Playing Lead – Women & Girls at the WRU.
“Both Ammanford and Aberystwyth already have licensed Girls hubs operating out of their clubs, the Valley Vixens and Bae Dolphins. Now there is a complete pathway from U7 right through to a senior team for girls.
“We were also delighted to see the number of completed league fixtures rise considerably last season and we now have a playing base of senior women of more than 2,000. Last season saw the number of registered players of all ages reach a record high of 7,000 in Wales.”
OPENING ROUND FIXTURE ON SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER
Premiership: Bonymaen v Burry Port; Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd v Ynysddu; Llandaff North v Seven Sisters; Senghenydd v Pontyclun
Championship: Gwernyfed v Lampeter Town; Haverfordwest v Abercynon; Treorchy v Old Penarthians; Ynysybwl v Pembroke; BYE: West Swansea Hawks
East: Blackwood v Ebbw Vale; Newport HSOB v Taffs Well; BYE: Whitchurch
Central: Penygraig v Llantwit Fardre; Porthcawl v Tondu; BYE: Dowlais
West: Aberystwyth v Whitland; Carmarthen Athletic v Tumble; Newcastle Emlyn v Morriston; Tycroes v Ammanford
North: Abergele v Holyhead; Bala v Llanidloes; Caernarfon v Machynlleth; COBRA v Wrexham