Welsh League Cup revamp aims to revitalise football in Wales

Welsh football is set for a significant transformation with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announcing a revamped Welsh League Cup designed to generate £3 million annually.
This funding will support grassroots football, women’s football, and infrastructure development, while offering Welsh clubs a pathway to European competition.
The proposed changes, part of the FAW’s Prosiect Cymru (Project Wales) strategy, aim to unite football across Wales and elevate its profile internationally.
Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County – the four highest-ranked Welsh clubs playing in the English system – will join 12 Cymru Premier teams in the expanded competition.
“This will be a gamechanger for the development of the game as we work to unlock the full potential of Welsh football,” said FAW Chief Executive Noel Mooney.
“It will unite Welsh football, improve the game at all levels, and deliver meaningful societal benefits across Wales.”
The winner of the revamped Welsh League Cup will gain entry to the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa Conference League, creating an opportunity for the four Welsh EFL clubs to return to European competition under the Welsh flag.
The FAW believes the participation of Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, and Newport County in European football could improve Wales’ UEFA coefficient ranking and generate additional prize money from UEFA, which would then be reinvested into football across the country.
“This initiative will generate significant additional revenue through a revamped Welsh League Cup competition with expanded participation of the four highest-ranked Welsh clubs that participate in the English football pyramid,”
Mooney said. “This will be distributed throughout the JD Cymru Premier, Genero Adran Premier, and grassroots facilities across the country.”
Funding grassroots football and addressing disparities
The initiative also seeks to address a longstanding funding gap between grassroots football in Wales and England.
Since 2022, the Cymru Football Foundation has received £17 million, compared to £327 million allocated to the English Football Foundation.
The FAW sees the revamped Welsh League Cup as a critical funding stream to narrow this gap and support underserved communities.
The FAW has confirmed that Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham, and Newport County – have agreed to a revenue-sharing model for the competition.
Additionally, profits derived from representing Wales in UEFA competitions will be excluded from financial regulations in the English Football League or Premier League, ensuring no conflicts with their status in the English football pyramid.
“It will generate significant additional revenue,” Mooney added, “making our clubs and communities more sustainable.”
The FAW has worked with UEFA, the Welsh and UK Governments, and Cymru Premier clubs to develop the proposal, which has already received unanimous support from the JD Cymru Premier clubs. Discussions have also taken place with the Football Association (FA), whose approval is required to finalise the changes.
Pending approval, the new format is expected to launch in the 2025-26 season. The FAW has committed to reviewing the impact of Prosiect Cymru four years after its introduction to ensure it is meeting its objectives.
“The FAW will review the impact of Prosiect Cymru four years after its inception to ensure that it is delivering the intended benefits for key stakeholders, Welsh football, and society,” the FAW statement reads. “All options will remain on the table if it is not.”
As Wales prepares to co-host UEFA EURO 2028, the FAW sees the revamped Welsh League Cup as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to strengthen football at all levels.
The initiative aims to provide financial stability for clubs, enhance grassroots infrastructure, and boost Wales’ competitiveness in European football.
“This represents the spirit of collaboration and cooperation among football associations across the United Kingdom ahead of the home nations’ joint co-hosting of EURO 2028,” said Mooney.
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