Inaugural FAI National League season to start in August

The truncated first season sees the 15 divided in three groups

The three Munster-based teams - Killarney FC, UCC, and Villa FC - will be in Group 3. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The FAI has confirmed that the first season of its new National League will see the 15 teams divided into three groups. The truncated inaugural season gets underway in late August before the full competition format starts in the spring of 2027.

Teams will play home and away matches, with the top team in the group, along with the best runner-up, reaching the semi-finals. The final will be played in November.

Group 3 will feature three Munster-based teams - Killarney Celtic, University College Cork, and Villa FC from Waterford. 

The National League will be the top tier of grassroots football in Ireland, creating a pathway to the League of Ireland. The FAI said in December that promotion and relegation will be introduced in the 2027 season. The National League champion will face the bottom-placed team in the League of Ireland First Division in a promotion/relegation play-off. 

FAI National League 2026 season

Group 1: Bonagee United (Donegal), Cockhill Celtic (Donegal), Home Farm DCU (Dublin), Lucan United (Dublin), Mervue United (Galway)

Group 2: Letterkenny Rovers (Donegal), Mayo FC (Mayo), Salthill Devon (Galway), St. Francis (Dublin), TUD (Dublin) 

Group 3: CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny), Killarney Celtic (Kerry), Newbridge Town (Kildare), UCC (Cork), Villa FC (Waterford)