Introducing the Northern Ireland Conference League
A new chapter in Northern Ireland football is taking shape.
Operated by the Northern Ireland Amateur Football League (NAFL, the NI Conference League will provide a clear pathway for ambitious clubs, bridging the gap from grassroots football through to Championship level as part of a revised football pyramid for Northern Ireland.
If your club is interested in joining the NI Conference League, please review the recent Conference League concept presentation below and complete the Expression of Interest form (link below).
If you have any specific enquires, please use the contact form on the NI Conference League website below.
Restructure of the Men’s Pyramid – Background
The Irish FA is committed to delivering an objective outlined in its Corporate Strategy (2022-27) to “transform the football pyramid to create a clear pathway for ambitious clubs”.
In accordance with this objective, the Irish FA is undertaking a significant restructure of the men's football pyramid in Northern Ireland to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the men’s amateur game.
The restructure presents an opportunity to ‘reset’ the football pyramid and provide an improved pathway for ambitious clubs to be promoted to the elite levels of the amateur game, with the potential for future progression to the professional game.
This restructure includes the introduction of a new Conference Layer to allow clubs to compete at a national level directly below the NIFL Premiership and Championship.
Following a consultation process the Irish FA has identified a need to develop consistent league formats and fixture calendars for the top tiers of the amateur game, and to establish a dependable mechanism for promotion and relegation across the highest levels of the men's amateur and professional game.
The Irish FA will support the appointed league operator who will confirm the application process for interested clubs and the composition of leagues for commencement in season 2026-27.
The Conference Layer will be governed by agreed rules and regulations which will modernise and standardise the approach of all leagues within the performance game.