The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) is the organising body of top level domestic men and women's league football in Northern Ireland.
NIFL was formed in 2013 but can trace a direct lineage back to 1890 when predecessor the Irish Football League was founded.
The NI Football League comprises of 44 member clubs competing in the Danske Bank Premiership, the Lough 41 Championship and Premier Intermediate League and the BetMcLean Cup as well as the Danske Bank Women's Premiership and Jordan's Gift Women's Premiership League Cup.
In addition, the NI Football League also operates Premiership and Championship Development Leagues, Academy Leagues at U18 and U16 levels as well as the Electric Ireland Women's Academy League.
Qualifying clubs also participate in European competition, namely the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Women's Champions League and UEFA Youth League.
The Danske Bank Premiership, the senior league in Northern Ireland, comprises of 12 clubs for the 2022/23 season. These are Ballymena United, Carrick Rangers, Cliftonville, Coleraine, Crusaders, Dungannon Swifts, Glenavon, Glentoran, Larne, Linfield, Newry City and Portadown.
A further 12 clubs compete in the second level Lough 41 Championship, which also holds senior status:- Annagh United, Ards, Ballinamallard United, Ballyclare Comrades, Dergview, Dundela, HW Welders, Institute, Knockbreda, Loughgall, Newington and Warrenpoint Town.
The Lough 41 Premier Intermediate League (PIL) is the third level, and the principal intermediate status league in Northern Ireland. This is contested by Armagh City, Ballymacash Rangers, Banbridge Town, Bangor, Dollingstown, Limavady United, Lisburn Distillery, Moyola Park, Portstewart, PSNI, Queen's University and Tobermore United.
A system of promotion and relegation exists between all three levels.
The Danske Bank Women's Premiership is the foremost women's domestic league in Northern Ireland, with a season running from April to October.
Presently Cliftonville Ladies, Crusaders Strikers, Derry City Women, Glentoran Women, Linfield Ladies, Lisburn Ladies, Mid Ulster Ladies and Sion Swifts Ladies participate in this league but will be joined by Ballymena United FC Women and Larne FC Women for the 2023 season.
The NI Football League is a private company with each member club across the Premiership, Championship, Premier Intermediate League and Women's Premiership being a shareholder of the company.
Through working closely with Clubs and fans, the NI Football League commits to being an open and transparent organisation with the aim of developing vibrant and exciting leagues and Cup competitions for Clubs, players and fans alike.
