Fifteen clubs to feature in inaugural FAI National League season

UCC will feature in the new third-tier of Irish football. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The FAI have announced the 15 clubs that will feature in the inaugural FAI National League season, which commences in Autumn 2026.

With the deadline now extended to January 31, 2026, there is a possibility of the number of teams growing for what will essentially be the third-tier of the League of Ireland system going forward.

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) and Villa FC (Waterford) are the 15 teams confirmed for the competition. 

The league will commence with a truncated introductory season, with the 2027 edition providing a clear pathway for promotion to the First Division.

The winners of the north and south divisions will compete in a Play-Off Final to be crowned champions. and if the winners have been approved for a First Division licence, they will play against the team that finishes bottom of the second-tier in a Promotion/Relegation Play-Off.

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."