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Organisation of Football in Northern Ireland

The organisation of football in Northern Ireland is based on a hierarchical league system, allowing clubs to ascend or descend based on their performance. This structure is divided into several tiers, ranging from semi-professional to amateur football.

At the top of the hierarchy is the NIFL Premiership, which is the highest level of football in Northern Ireland. It comprises 12 clubs vying for the championship title. The bottom two teams in the standings at the end of the season are relegated to the NIFL Championship, which also includes 12 clubs. The top two teams from this division are promoted to the NIFL Premiership, while the bottom three descend to the NIFL Premier Intermediate League.

The NIFL Premier Intermediate League, the third tier, hosts 12 teams. The top two teams are promoted to the NIFL Championship, and the bottom three are relegated to the Ballymena & Provincial Intermediate League, Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A and Northern Amateur Football League Premier Division. These three leagues, which constitute the fourth tier, operate on the same promotion and relegation principle with the NIFL Premier Intermediate League and the fifth-tier leagues.

At the fifth tier, there are several regional leagues, including the Ballymena & Provincial Intermediate League, the Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate B and the Northern Amateur Football League Division 1A. These leagues comprise amateur clubs and operate on the promotion and relegation principle with the fourth and sixth-tier leagues.

Beyond the fifth tier, the system continues with regional and local divisions, highlighting the depth and richness of football in Northern Ireland at all levels of competition.