NIFL Premier Intermediate League


The NIFL Premier Intermediate League is the third level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national association football league in Northern Ireland, and the highest Northern Ireland [football league system|intermediate] division in Northern Ireland, occupying level three in the Northern Ireland football league system – below the NIFL Premiership and NIFL Championship.
The third level in Northern Irish football was known as the Irish League Second Division from 1999 to 2003, the Irish Second Division from 2003 to 2008, the IFA Interim Intermediate League from 2008 to 2009, the IFA Championship 2 from 2009 to 2013, and the NIFL Championship 2 from 2013 to 2016. The league is set to be replaced at the start of the 2026 season by a new conference league format.

History

Under reforms agreed by the NIFL clubs in 2014, from 2016, when the previous Championship 1 acquired senior status, Championship 2 continued as the Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status and thus became the top intermediate league in Northern Ireland.
In May 2023, the league was expanded to 14 teams, due to licensing issues with Warrenpoint Town and PSNI not having a league they can seamlessly be relegated into. Rathfriland Rangers joined the league for the 2023-24 season, along with Coagh United.

Current members

The 2023–24 NIFL Premier Intermediate League consists of 14 teams.
ClubLocationStadiumCapacity
Armagh CityArmaghHolm Park1,500
Ballymacash RangersLisburnThe Bluebell Stadium1,280
Banbridge TownBanbridgeCrystal Park1,500
Coagh UnitedCoaghHagan Park1,000
DollingstownDollingstownPlanters Park750
Limavady UnitedLimavadyThe Showgrounds1,500
Lisburn DistilleryLisburnNew Grosvenor Stadium1,500
Moyola ParkCastledawsonMill Meadow2,000
PortstewartPortstewartSeahaven1,500
Rathfriland RangersRathfrilandIveagh Park1,000
Queen's [University A.F.C.|Queen's University]BelfastUpper Malone300
Tobermore UnitedTobermoreFortwilliam Park1,000
Warrenpoint TownWarrenpointMilltown1,450