The FAI have today announced the 15 teams that will compete in the inaugural FAI National League starting in August 2026.
This is 5 teams short of the expected 20 teams when the idea was first announced back in December 2024.
In a post on social media this morning the FAI said
Introducing the 15 founding clubs that will form the new FAI National League, set to kick off in autumn 2026
This historic new third tier of Irish football will be the top tier of grassroots football and create a direct pathway between the grassroots game and the League of Ireland for the first time. An exciting new era for Irish Football .The FAI narrowed down the initial 67 applicants to the final 15 that represent all 4 provinces across the country with 10 counties being represented in the FAI National League which will start in August 2026 on a “truncated season”.The 15 confirmed clubs are:
• Bonagee United (Donegal)
• CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny)
• Cockhill Celtic (Donegal)
• Home Farm (Dublin)
• Killarney Celtic (Kerry)
• Letterkenny Rovers (Donegal)
• Lucan United (Dublin)
• Mayo Football Club (Mayo)
• Mervue United (Galway)
• Newbridge Town (Kildare)
• Salthill Devon (Galway)
• St. Francis (Dublin)
• TU Dublin (Dublin)
• UCC Soccer (Cork)
• Villa FC (Waterford)
Speaking to the FAI media team following the announcement, FAI Head of Competitions Fran Gavin said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce the clubs who will be the founding members of the new FAI National League, and we congratulate them on coming through a rigorous selection process. The clubs have put in a lot of hard work and we’re really excited to get started in Autumn 2026 with a shortened, truncated season before the full launch in February 2027.
As part of the process, we have reopened a short window for final Expressions of Interest for the remaining places. Our priority from day one was not just to hit a number, but to ensure that every club involved was ready to be part of this league. We recognised that a number of clubs were not able to meet the original deadlines, so that is why the portal has reopened to encourage any final applications. Our priority is to have a strong, competitive league, and while we are happy to start with our founding member clubs to ensure the right quality, if there are clubs who now feel that they meet the criteria, we would like to hear from them.
The FAI National League will commence in August 2026 on a shortened season and promotion will be introduced in the 2027 season if the FAI National League champions are approved of a licence.he winners of the North and South divisions will compete in a Play-Off Final to be crowned FAI National League champions. If the Champions have been approved for a First Division licence, they will play against the team that finishes bottom of the First Division in a Promotion / Relegation Play-Off for a place in the second tier.
The FAI have also stated that teams still have the opportunity to apply to be apart of the National League if they feel they meet the criteria and have extended the deadline to Saturday, January 31st, 2026.
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