 | |
| Founded | 1951(Irish League B Division) 2008(IFA Championship) |
|---|---|
| Country |  Northern Ireland |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | NIFL Premiership |
| Relegation to | NIFL Premier Intermediate League |
| Domestic cup | Irish Cup |
| League cup | Northern Ireland Football League Cup |
| Current champions | Bangor (1st title) (2024–25) |
| Current:2025–26 NIFL Championship | |
TheNorthern Ireland Football League Championship (known as thePlayr-Fit Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the second level of theNorthern Ireland Football League, the nationalfootball league inNorthern Ireland. Clubs in the Championship can be promoted to the highest national division – theNIFL Premiership, and relegated to the third level – theNIFL Premier Intermediate League.
In its current format, it was founded in 2008 as thePremier Intermediate League for members of the previousIFA Intermediate League that met the new stricter membership criteria,[1] though was marketed as theIFA Championship.[2] In 2009, it was extended to two divisions: Championship 1 and Championship 2 with promotion and relegation between the two.[3] In 2013, the Championship and Premiership became part of the Northern Ireland Football League, independent of theIrish Football Association (IFA).
Under reforms agreed by NIFL clubs in 2014, Championship 1 acquired senior status from the 2016–17 season onwards, continuing as the NIFL Championship. Championship 2 became theNIFL Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status.[4]
The second level in Northern Irish football was known as theB Division from 1951 to 1995, theIrish League First Division from 1995 to 2003, theIrish First Division from 2003 to 2008, and theIFA Championship from 2008 to 2013.
The B Division of the Irish League was founded in 1951, and originally consisted of the reserve teams of the senior Irish League clubs alongside some of the top intermediate clubs. It effectively replaced theIrish Intermediate League, which had been the de facto second tier league below the Irish League since 1915. The Irish Intermediate League continued alongside the B Division until 1954 when it ceased to exist and its remaining clubs joined the B Division.
The B Division was split geographically into North and South sections in 1974 (with a play-off to determine the winners in 1974–75 and 1975–76), and then into Section 1 (containing the intermediate clubs) andSection 2 (the reserve teams of senior clubs) in 1977. There was no promotion to the senior Irish League, although clubs could be elected to the senior league;Larne were elected in 1972 to replaceDerry City,Carrick Rangers andNewry City were elected in 1983 when the Irish League expanded from 12 to 14 clubs, andBallyclare Comrades andOmagh Town in 1990 when the league expanded to 16 clubs.
A new second tier was created in 1995 when the Irish League split into a Premier Division and First Division, each with eight clubs and automatic promotion and relegation introduced. In 2003 the Irish Football League was wound up, with the top division becoming theIrish Premier League and the second division becoming the Irish First Division. This continued for five seasons, until the NIFL Championship was created.
Under reforms agreed by the NIFL clubs in 2014, from 2016, the current Championship 1 will acquire senior status, continuing as the NIFL Championship, while Championship 2 will continue as thePremier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status and will thus become the top intermediate league in Northern Ireland.[5][6]
| Club | Stadium | Location | Capacity[7] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annagh United | BMG Arena | Portadown | 1,250 (100 seated) |
| Ards | Bangor Fuels Arena | Bangor | 1,895 (500 seated) |
| Ballinamallard United | Ferney Park | Ballinamallard | 2,000 (250 seated) |
| Dundela | Wilgar Park | Belfast | 1,200 |
| Harland & Wolff Welders | Blanchflower Stadium | Belfast | 1,100 |
| Institute | Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium | Derry | 3,700 |
| Knockbreda | Breda Park | Belfast | 1,000 |
| Newington | Inver Park | Larne | 3,000 |
In 1982, a knockout competition was introduced, known as theB Division Knockout Cup. It was discontinued after 2002, but a newIntermediate League Cup was played between 2004 and 2008. In 2008–09, there was no knockout competition for Championship clubs, who participated with Premiership clubs in theIrish League Cup. In the 2009–10 season only, while Championship 1 clubs continued to participate in the Irish League Cup, aChampionship 2 League Cup was inaugurated for those in Championship 2. From 2010–11 onwards, all Championship clubs from divisions 1 and 2 also competed in the Irish League Cup, and the Championship 2 League Cup was abolished.
| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| B Division Knockout Cup | |
| 1982–83 | RUC |
| 1983–84 | Ballyclare Comrades |
| 1984–85 | RUC |
| 1985–86 | RUC |
| 1986–87 | Chimney Corner |
| 1987–88 | Dundela |
| 1988–89 | Ballyclare Comrades |
| 1989–90 | Omagh Town |
| 1990–91 | Dundela |
| 1991–92 | Dundela |
| 1992–93 | Limavady United |
| 1993–94 | Dungannon Swifts |
| 1994–95 | Dundela |
| 1995–96 | Limavady United |
| 1996–97 | Institute |
| 1997–98 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| 1998–99 | Ballymoney United |
| 1999–00 | Moyola Park |
| 2000–01 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| 2001–02 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| Intermediate League Cup | |
| 2004–05 | Bangor |
| 2005–06 | Crusaders |
| 2006–07 | Institute |
| 2007–08 | Loughgall |
| Championship 2 League Cup | |
| 2009–10 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
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