How – and why – Welsh football's top division is changing like never before

Welsh football's domestic game kicks off a new season this weekend – and with it a new era. Because after record investment, officials say the new-look Cymru Premier's "once in a generation" changes will eventually prove to be more than just a fresh lick of paint on the turnstiles. Members of the league's governing body - The Football Association of Wales (FAW) – have pinned their hopes on a radical relaunch being a driver for boosts to attendances, standards and the chances of future investment. And it will be needed for a league that has struggled to shake off criticism since its inception 34 years ago, even from inside of Wales. This, organisers say, is Wales' top division fighting back. What's changing? As well as more teams - up from 12 to 16 - and a new format, there is the switch from default Saturday football to floodlit Fridays, with the majority of games taking place in what the league says is its "own space". And the opening games will see the introduction of a new version of video assistant referees (VAR) that will see decisions reviewed at the grounds where games are taking place - and not a remote bunker. But there are also revamped broadcasting and commercial deals that officials say have not only already boosted finances, but open the door for further injections of cash to clubs and the competition as a whole – with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of full-time and hybrid teams. No wonder it's being branded as "a new adventure". Fresh format, fresh faces - meet the Cymru Premier new boys A format to hold the interest Aside from a new matchday, perhaps the most tangible tweak is to the structure. The league has expanded to 16 teams, with six sides promoted from the regionalised second tiers – Airbus UK Broughton, Holywell Town and Llandudno from the Cymru North, Ammanford, Cambrian United and Trefelin BGC from the Cymru South - to replace the two that dropped out at the end of last season. That in itself has taken almost two years of planning, with more clubs needing to prove they could fulfil the criteria for a top-flight licence. There has also been a change to how the league splits after the initial home-and-away run of fixtures. Previously, the division moved into two conferences, similar to Scotland's top flight. From now on, it will split into three after 30 games, with the top section going for the title, the middle section aiming for a place in the European play-offs, and the bottom battling for survival – and avoiding either direct relegation or a play-off with the runners-up from the second tier. The idea is that it avoids the dead-rubber games of recent campaigns, giving more sides something to play for – and more interest from outside. Friday night lights It's all been a long time coming. A two-year consultation on what next steps the league should take was followed by a presentation to clubs in April 2024, where the FAW unveiled £6m worth of funding for the league and its clubs. With commercial deals coming to an end, 2026-27 was the 'clean slate start'. In return, the FAW told clubs to get ready for the league to move its default matchday to Friday nights. With 80% of the league's clubs within an hour of a team in the English Football League, the thinking is to boost attendances and interest by becoming an alternative for a live football fix. The move is not without controversy in a league where a four-hour-plus drive separates some clubs, and none bar long-running champions The New Saints are full-time. But FAW chiefs say the evidence of an increase in crowd numbers is there from the switch being phased in over the past two seasons. Not only that, it has helped pave the way for new broadcasting arrangements that circumnavigate Uefa's Saturday afternoon 'blackouts' and have opened the door to new and improved sponsorship deals. Four of the opening weekend games take place on Friday evening [FAW] More eyes, more money With a new title sponsor, the league's commercial income is said to be up 160% - with clubs benefiting through increased central funding. But as well as the free-to-air offering with Welsh language broadcaster S4C, the association have also taken the plunge to launch their own streaming platform that will screen every game, with clubs benefiting from the number of their fans who take out a subscription. The aim, bosses say, is not only to try and get up to speed with other leagues and have greater control in promoting its own product, but also to create the chance for other parts of the world to get eyes on Welsh football – and for sponsors to see their products going outside of the borders. VAR – but not as you know it The cameras won't just be catching the action for the audience at home. For the first time, the league will have video reviewing through the Fifa-approved VAR Light system. It's a simplified version of the VAR system used elsewhere, designed for smaller leagues. It still allows reviews of goals, penalty area incidents and red cards, but operates with fewer cameras and a smaller team. It means fans are not about to see computerised offside lines – or even goal-line technology – pop up in a league of semi-pro players. Just four key cameras will be used, and a video assistant referee will be on site at the ground and in control of the operation themselves. It could mean at some venues the VAR is in sight of fans, players or managers – although the game's laws remind that anyone entering the area risks a red card. Flirting with a new future The juxtaposition of new tech being used in a league where volunteers are still vital is a pretty fitting summary of the Cymru Premier. Organisers say they are desperate to keep hold of the traditional fans that fuel the clubhouses and communities of Welsh football's top-flight. Indeed, the designers of new gold dragon branding – launched with an atmospheric short dramatic film featuring a Game of Thrones star – say that is where they found their inspiration. But there has been a definitive attempt to increase Welsh football's footprint, to give them at least a fighting chance of finding new revenues without relying on whether the men's national team qualifies for major tournaments. "The league needs to be able to stand on its own two feet and financially hold its own in the marketplace," is how one official put it, with the belief the changes will allow them to realistically hit eventual targets of 1,000-plus attendances at every game. That includes attracting new investors to clubs, with a Dragons' Den approach in the United States resulting in several interested parties who are keeping tabs on developments. With a huge upturn in overseas spending on club ownership, the FAW – with the permission of clubs – played an active role in showcasing the chance to invest. There are some at the governing body who maintain the belief that few other leagues offer the chance of success – and European football – for what would be a fraction of the cost compared to elsewhere. "It is a really interesting proposition for legacy investors, who want to build something," is how it has been put, with the debt-free status meaning external funds could make an immediate difference. New regulations akin to fit and proper person tests have been introduced in anticipation, which will tie in protections and commitments to communities with club licences required to play top-tier football. And it has already been noted more clubs are moving to a hybrid model of part-time and full-time players, something which is hoped will raise standards and competition. After years of planning, organisers are convinced changes being introduced will help that move. It all looks good on paper, but this weekend will see the start of how it plays out on the pitch. One thing is for certain: a new era for the Cymru Premier is here.