Friday night Cymru Premier games - a good or bad move?

The New Saints finished 22 points clear of Connah's Quay Nomads at the top of the 2025-26 Cymru Premier table [FAW] Welsh football's governing body accepts moving Cymru Premier games predominantly to Friday nights will not please everyone, but the game's leaders hope the move could help drive attendances. The switch is part of a major relaunch for Wales' domestic top flight, with the number of clubs rising from 12 to 16 next season. "Friday night football is something we piloted last year - for us the pilot has worked well," Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney said. "The intention is to see if we can drive attendances... if you don't drive attendances then you should review it. "I'd say a good few of the clubs like it, not every club. We had a lot of good feedback about it, but you always have to be empathetic to the needs of clubs and the needs of players and so on." Change can bring 'freshness' The New Saints, who won the title for the 18th time last season, are the Cymru Premier's only full-time professional club. John Disney, the manager of runners-up Connah's Quay Nomads, says some clubs will struggle with Friday games and has already seen some of last season's squad depart due to work and family commitments. "Part-time players are going to really struggle getting Friday afternoons off to go down to Cardiff if they're based in north Wales, and similarly up from Cardiff to north Wales," he said. But Disney said Nomads are adapting by recruiting full-time, younger players. "Hopefully it brings a freshness to the league, with new faces coming into it and players understanding that this is a league where you can kick on and develop," he added. "For me personally, [the changes] are quite exciting. "I've been part of the league for 10 years and you see the same faces carrying on." FAW's Mooney excited for Cymru Premier expansion Nathaniel MG Cup scrapped due to fixture congestion 'Many clubs in Ireland would never go back' Mooney acknowledges some part-time players may struggle to travel on Fridays. "I remember this as a player, for example, in 2004 in Ireland we changed," said the former Cork City goalkeeper. "I was a part-time player and I had to make the decision. You have to make that decision yourself - is this league for me?" Mooney says that over time "the league got more professional", making it "easier" to facilitate Friday night football. "Many clubs in Ireland would never go back to not having Friday night football," he added. "It's an appointment to view - it keeps them away from the big English Premier League or some of our EFL (English Football League) stuff that's here of course as well. "So for us we really like the concept of Friday night league matches, but you have to remain empathetic to clubs. It's about working with different clubs to find a solution that works for them, while at the same time not trying to over-stagger the league." FAW chief Noel Mooney has also worked at the FA of Ireland and Uefa [FAW] Clubs face 'practical considerations' Colwyn Bay attracted the Cymru Premier's highest attendances last season, averaging 1,054 at The Blue Turtle Arena. Bay chairman Brain Madden says there was evidence in 2025-26 that playing on Fridays can help crowds. "We saw first-hand that Friday night football can create a fantastic atmosphere, attract casual supporters who may have other commitments on a Saturday, and give games a bigger event feel," Madden said. "If the aim is to drive attendances, there is certainly evidence to suggest it can help. "That said, there are practical considerations for clubs. Many players, coaches, volunteers and supporters travel significant distances, often straight from work, so earlier kick-off times can present challenges. "Clubs also need to consider stewarding, catering, staffing and volunteer availability, particularly as many people are balancing football commitments with full-time jobs." Finding balance for family fans Madden is also concerned about the impact of a switch to Fridays on younger supporters and families, who he describes as the "lifeblood of our clubs". "With a 7:45pm kick-off, many younger children are unable to attend or stay for a full match, particularly during term time," he added. "It is important that any long-term shift strikes the right balance between increasing attendances and preserving the family-friendly environment that many clubs, including ourselves, have worked hard to build." Colwyn Bay say more Friday night games could mean fewer younger fans being able to attend [FAW] The FAW announced a £6m investment package for the Cymru Premier in 2024, described as the single biggest investment in the league's 34-year history. It followed a lengthy review in which the FAW consulted with clubs, fans and other league stakeholders. "The facts are that our domestic league needs a lot of love, needs a lot of resources, needs a lot of attention," Mooney said. "We're bringing in a whole new set of things like a new broadcast deal, a new digital provision where you can watch matches online and so on. "Some of the investment we're seeing into clubs and investment into the league itself is unprecedented for Welsh football, so we are so excited about the new Cymru Premier season." Mooney says the Cymru Premier relaunch will help attract new investors for clubs. Penybont recently announced "significant new investment", while Haverfordwest County received backing from an investment firm earlier this year. "We're in talks with a lot of different groups and parties interested in getting involved and buying into Cymru Premier clubs," Mooney said. "Because you've got access to Europe, you can develop players, you can build communities, you can build towns if you're interested in doing things better for the world. "But equally, if you look at the risk about getting involved - say for example in the EFL - the risks are huge financially, because they all seem to be losing a lot of money, whereas with our clubs they're not losing money essentially and you can develop a club with a kind of less risk." Penybont, who have qualified for next season's Uefa Conference League, recently announced "significant investment" [FAW]