As part of the Irish FA’s continuing implementation of Club Licensing policies, the Licensing Committee met on Thursday 24 April to consider applications for the award of UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship licences for season 2025-26 and 2025 (Women’s Premiership).
In line with the current UEFA, Premiership, Promotion and Championship licensing manuals, applicant clubs were assessed across key areas, namely: sporting, infrastructure, social and environmental sustainability, personnel and administration, legal and financial.
Based on these entirely objective criteria licences were granted to the following clubs:
UEFA CLUB LICENCES (MEN’S)
Ballymena United FC
Carrick Rangers FC (Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena)
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC (Solitude, Belfast)
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Larne FC (Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena)
Linfield FC
Portadown FC
UEFA WOMEN’S CLUB COMPETITION LICENCES
Cliftonville Ladies FC
MEN’S PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES
Ballymena United FC
Carrick Rangers FC
Cliftonville FC
Coleraine FC
Crusaders FC
Dungannon Swifts FC
Glenavon FC
Glentoran FC
Larne FC
Linfield FC
Loughgall FC
Portadown FC
WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP CLUB LICENCES
Cliftonville Ladies FC
Crusaders Strikers FC
Derry City (Women) FC
Glentoran (Women) FC
Larne (Women) FC
Linfield (Women) FC
Lisburn Ladies FC
Lisburn Rangers Ladies FC
PROMOTION CLUB LICENCES (MEN’S)
Annagh United FC (Shamrock Park, Portadown)
Ards FC (Clandeboye Park, Bangor)
Armagh City (Stangmore Park, Dungannon)
Ballinamallard United FC
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Bangor FC
Dundela FC (The Oval, Belfast)
Harland and Wolff Welders FC
Institute FC (Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry-Londonderry)
Limavady United (Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine)
Newington FC (Inver Park, Larne)
Newry City AFC
CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB LICENCES (MEN’S)
Annagh United FC
Ards FC (Clandeboye Park, Bangor)
Armagh City FC
Ballinamallard United FC
Ballyclare Comrades FC
Ballymacash Rangers FC
Banbridge Town FC
Bangor FC
Coagh United FC
Dergview FC
Dollingstown FC
Dundela FC
Harland and Wolff Welders FC
Institute FC (Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry)
Knockbreda FC
Limavady United FC
Lisburn Distillery FC
Moyola Park AFC
Newington FC (Inver Park, Larne)
Newry City AFC
Oxford Sunnyside FC
Portstewart FC
Queen’s University Belfast AFC
Rathfriland Rangers FC
Tobermore United FC
Warrenpoint Town FC
Communication of these decisions has already been made to the respective clubs concerned. Club licences are valid for one season only, namely 2025-26.
Licensing Committee chair Alison Watterson said: “I would firstly like to congratulate everyone who played a part in achieving club licensing for the 2025-26 season. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of countless individuals within clubs a record 70 licences have been awarded across both the men’s and women’s game.
“As the game continues to grow, the Licensing Committee remains dedicated to advancing and applying standards that drive continued growth in the professionalism throughout the game.”
Irish FA Club Licensing Manager Stacey Moffett added: “I would like to extend my congratulations to all successful licence applicants and express my thanks to club representatives for their co-operation in navigating new (UEFA) criteria.
“As clubs continue to invest and raise standards on the pitch, it is equally important that clubs ensure investment is applied to strengthening club administration and providing the support and development needed to manage the daily operations of the game effectively.”
