There will be 281 teams involved in this season’s ‘Go.Compare Road to the Finals’ cup competitions as clubs the length and breadth of the country dream of a once in a lifetime day out in a never-to-be-forgotten final appearance.
The competition, formerly known as Road to Principality, will now be known as the Go.Compare Road to the Finals.
The draws have been made for the seven competitions that embrace the whole of the Welsh Rugby’s Union’s community game and the big kick-off will come on Saturday, 3 October.
“We enjoyed some spectacular finals last season and we will be hoping for more of the same in the 2026-27 season. They really have become very special days out for the clubs involved and the attendances continue to grow,” said WRU Community Rugby director, Geraint John.
“The support that each team received from their faithful fans added to the occasions and proved once again that the bedrock of our national game is as sound and solid as ever. The quality of the rugby matched the support and many local heroes were made.
“To see Blaina’s wing Regan Watkin, in his first season out of youth rugby, score the winning try by joining the back of a driving line-out maul in the dying seconds of their epic clash with Aberavon Quins was just one of many highlights. What a way that was to crown the club’s 150th anniversary season.
“The dates and venue for next season’s finals have yet to be confirmed. Subject to availability, it is hoped to return to Principality Stadium for the big day out. If not, a suitable replacement venue will be found.
“There are some great games to look forward to right from the opening rounds and club pride will be at stake along with local bragging rights. It is what grassroots rugby in Wales is all about!”
Head of Brand at Go.Compare, Josh Tumbridge, said: “The Road to Finals tournament is about far more than what happens on match day.
“It’s about supporting grassroots rugby across Wales and recognising the dedication of the players, volunteers and clubs that bring communities together through sport.
“We’re proud to once again support this tournament and help celebrate the key role rugby plays in communities across the country.
“We can’t wait to see teams from every corner of Wales begin their journey towards the finals, and the competition is a fantastic example of the positive impact grassroots sport can have both on and off the pitch.”
As previously mentioned, the finals will be staged at Principality Stadium subject to the stadium being available.
THE 2026 GO.COMPARE ROAD TO PRINCIPALITY CHAMPIONS
Admiral Premiership: Neath
Admiral Championship: Bedwas
Admiral Division 1: Blaina
Admiral Division 2: Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Admiral Division 3: New Dock Stars
Admiral Division 4: Pontyclun
Admiral Division 5: Brecon Athletic
PREMIERSHIP CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Bedwas v Llangennech; Bonymaen v Bargoed; Llanelli Wanderers v Newbridge; Merthyr v Ystrad Rhondda; Pontypridd v Cross Keys
BYES: Beddau, Narberth, Neath
Cup holders Neath have been given a bye in the first round, along with Beddau and Narberth, and will have to wait until Round 2 before launching the defence of their title.
The winners of the inaugural WRU Challenge Cup in 1972, they triumphed over Merthyr in what was their 14th final. They had last won the cup at this level in 2009.
Merthyr, who went on to clinch the Championship title to round off their 150th anniversary season, host Ystrad Mynach, who were Championship finalists at the Principality Stadium in 2023.
Newly promoted Bedwas and Bonymaen both have home ties as they step up to the top tier of the community game. Bedwas entertain LLangennech, while Bonyamen welcome Bargoed. Bedwas won the Championship Cup last season as they completed the double by adding the Championship East crown.
CHAMPIONSHIP CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Abercrave v Newcastle Emlyn; Aberdare v Rumney; Ammanford v Brecon; Blaina v Llanharan; Bridgend Athletic v St Joseph’s; Burry Port v Glynneath; Glamorgan Wanderers v St Peter’s; Gowerton v Trebanos; Tondu v Aberystwyth; Treorchy v Talywain
BYES: Cardiff Met, Dunvant, Kenfig Hill, Mountain Ash, Penallta, Tata Steel
Brecon, who were relegated from the Premiership along with Cardiff Met, face a tough trip to Ammanford in the opening round. Cardiff Met have a bye, along with Dunvant, Kenfig Hill, Mountain Ash, Penallta and Tata Steel.
Newly promoted Blaina, who completed a Division 1 East league and Division 1 cup double to crown their 150th anniversary season in 2025-26, will host another promoted side, Llanharan, while last season’s Division 1 West Central champions Abercrave, who were beaten 18-17 by Blaina in the Division 1 Cup final, welcome Newcastle Emlyn.
The other new team, Division 1 West winners Burry Port, will host Glynneath in the opening round.
ADMIRAL DIVISION 1 CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Aberaeron v Gorseinon; Aberavon Green Stars v Aberavon Harlequins; Abercarn v Ynysddu; Abercwmboi v Blackwood; Bala v Nant Conwy; Bedlinog v Wattstown; Bethesda v Newtown; Brynmawr v Cambrian Welfare; Carmarthen Athletic v Tenby United; Clwb Rygbi Rhuthun v Llandudno; Felinfoel v Crymych; Llanishen v St Alban’s; Monmouth v Newport HSOB; Penarth v Abercynon; Pwllheli v Mold; Rhymney v Dowlais; Skewen v Ystalyfera; Swansea Uplands v Builth Wells; Waunarlwydd v Heol Y Cyw; Hendy v St Clear’s
BYES: Abertillery BG, Caernarfon, Caerphilly, COBRA, CRCC, Lampeter Town, Llangefni, Nantyffyllon, Neath Athletic, Nelson, Wrexham, Ystradgynlais
Aberavon Quins were beaten in the Division 2 Cup Final last season, but made up for that by winning the Division 2 West Central crown. Their reward for that is a home tie with arch-rivals and neighbours Aberavon Green Stars in the first round this season.
The Quins were beaten 34-15 by Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd at Principality Stadium last season. The cup winners also gained promotion and have received a bye in the first round. Newly promoted Carmarthen Athletic host Tenby United.
ADMIRAL DIVISION 2 CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Caldicot v Ynysybwl; Kidwelly v Vardre; Laugharne v South Gower; Pill Harriers v Barry; Porth Quins v Newport Saracens; Porthcawl v New Dock Stars
BYES: Abergavenny, Brynamman, Bryncoch, Cardiff Quins, Cowbridge, Croesyceiliog, Cwmavon, Cwmbran, Fishguard & Goodwick, Gwernyfed, Haverfordwest, Llandaff, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fardre, Maesteg Quins, Morriston, Mumbles, Nantyglo, Penclawdd, Pencoed, Pentyrch, Pontarddulais, Pontypool United, Rhydyfelin, Tycroes, Usk
With former Scarlets and Dragons star Jordan Williams pulling the strings from outside half last season New Dock Stars won the Division 3 Cup Final at Principality Stadium as they beat Tumble 32-29 and then went on to win the Division 3 West league title.
They are one of 12 teams set to battle it out in the first round of the Division 2 Cup with a trip to West Central side Porthcawl. Among the other promoted sides, Bryncoch, Cwmavon, Haverfordwest, Llandaff, Llantristant and Gwernyfed have all received byes.
ADMIRAL DIVISION 3 CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Bangor v Wrexham Athletic; Birchgrove v Maesteg Celtic; Bro Ffestiniog v Abergele; Bryncethin v Cardigan; Dinas Powys v Fairwater; Ferndale v Senghenydd; Fleur de Lys v Penygraig; Garndiffaith v Chepstow; Llantwit Major v Deri; Machen v New Panteg; Resolven v Bonymaen Athletic; Rhigos v Llangadog; Rhiwbina v Cilfynydd; Rhyl & District v Colwyn Bay; Seven Sisters v Llandeilo; Tonmawr v Maesteg; Tonna v Milford Haven
BYES: Amman United, Caerleon, Dolgellau, Nant Conwy Athletic, Neyland, Pontyberem, Pontyclun, RTB Ebbw Vale, Taffs Well, Trimsaran, Tumble, Tylorstown, Welshpool, Whiteheads, Whitland
Llangadog suffered heartbreak at Principality Stadium last season when they were beaten in the Division 4 Cup Final by Pontyclun, but they then went on to achieve promotion to Division 3 West by winning the Division 4B West title.
Now they find themselves heading to Rhigos for their first round clash in the Division 3 Cup in the new season. Pontyclun, meanwhile, are among the teams with a bye in the first round.
They also include Tumble, who were pipped in the Division 3 Cup Final by New Dock Stars last season and also missed out on promotion.
ADMIRAL DIVISION 4 CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Bargoed Athletic v Pontycymer; Canton v Treharris; Cefn Cribbwr v Nantymoel; Cefneithin v Llanybydder; Crumlin v Ynysowen; Crynant v Baglan; Cwmgors v Penlan; Gilfach Goch v Cardiff Met Athletic; Narberth Athletic v Tenby United Athletic; Newcastle Emlyn Athletic v Pembroke Dock Quins; Ogmore Vale v Llanhilleth; Pantyffynnon v Llandybie; Pontardawe v Banwen; Pontllanfraith v Old Illtydians; St David’s v Bynea; Tregaron v Penybanc
BYES: Aberystwyth Athletic, Bedwellty, Blackwood Stars, Brecon Athletic, Briton Ferry, Crickhowell, Crymych Athletic, Cwmgwrach, Fall Bay, Furnace United, Oakdale, Pembroke, Pontyates, Risca, Tonyrefail, Tredegar Ironsides
No fewer than eight ‘Athletic’ teams are involved in the draw for the Division 4 Cup. Brecon Athletic and Bargoed Athletic reach the Division 5 Cup Final last year with Brecon running out comfortable winners.
They have been given a bye in the first round, while Bargoed Athletic host Pontycymmer
DIVISION 5 CUP – ROUND 1
Saturday 03 October – 2.30pm
Abersychan Alexanders v Brynithel; Beddau Athletic v Whitchurch; Bedwas Athletic v Bettws; Burry Port Athletic v Cwmllynfell; Caernarfon Athletic v Ruthin Athletic; Cefn Coed v Llandrindod Wells; Colwyn Bay Athletic v COBRA Athletic; Dunvant Athletic v Cwmtwrch; Flint v Newtown Athletic; Glais v Bridgend Athletic 2nd XV; Glyncoch v Llanrumney; Glyncorrwg v Kenfig Hill Athletic; Hollybush v Trinant; Llandaff North v Old Penarthians; Llangefni Athletic v Rhos; Magor v Abertysswg; Menai Bridge v Shotton Steel; New Tredegar v Girling; Old Tyleryan v St Julian’s HSOB; Pyle v Bridgend Sports; Rhyl Athletic v Porthmadog; St Peter’s Athletic v Caerau Ely; Taibach v Brackla
BYES: Bala Athletic, CRCC Athletic, Hafodyrynys, Mold Athletic, Penallta Athletic, Pontrhydyfen, Tondu Athletic, Tref y Clawdd, Treherbert
The 2025 Division 5 Cup winners St Peter’s Athletic will host Caerau Ely in Cardiff derby clash, while Pyle will entertain Bridgend Sports in another local derby.
Go.compare Road to the Final schedule
18 April 2027
Women’s Admiral Bowl final
Women’s Admiral Plate final
Women’s Admiral Cup final
23 April 2027
Boys U18 Cup final
24 April 2027
Men’s Admiral Division 5 final
Men’s Admiral Division 4 final
Men’s Admiral Division 3 final
Men’s Admiral Division 2 final
25 April 2027
Men’s Admiral Division 1 final
Men’s Admiral Championship final
Men’s Admiral Premiership final