Various Locations
25 October 2026 » 20 February 2027
The Athletics NI Cross Country League returns for the 2026/27 season with a new-look six-race format, bringing club cross country competition to venues across Northern Ireland and Ulster from October through to February.
The new format has been developed following feedback from clubs, athletes and the wider athletics community, with a focus on greater geographical spread, flexibility and participation throughout the winter season.
The league will feature six races, with clubs able to count their best five results from the six rounds towards their final league position. This provides clubs with greater flexibility during a busy cross country season, while ensuring that each round remains an important part of the overall competition.
Teams will compete in separate Male and Female sections, with the first four eligible runners from each club determining the team's finishing position in each race. League points will be awarded to the top eight teams in each round, with the final standings determined by the best five results.
For the 2026/27 season, Athletics NI is also introducing a Club Participation Award, designed to recognise and reward clubs who bring athletes beyond their four scoring runners.
Once a club has four eligible runners finish, every additional eligible finisher will earn one participation point. These points will be accumulated across all six rounds, with the combined Male and Female total determining the winning club.
The award is intended to celebrate the depth of club participation and encourage clubs to bring as many eligible athletes as possible to each round — making the league about more than just the team results at the front of the field.
The league will visit six venues throughout the season before culminating at the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships at Lurgan Park on Saturday 20 February 2027.
The final round will provide a fitting conclusion to the league, with clubs battling for valuable league points alongside athletes competing for NI & Ulster Championship honours. The Championships will also provide an opportunity for selection for the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships, in line with the applicable Athletics NI selection policy and criteria.
With the final league positions potentially going down to the last round, Lurgan Park promises to be a significant finale to the 2026/27 cross country season.
Round 1 – Bobby Rea XC
Sunday 25 October 2026
Billy Neil MBE Country Park
Round 2 – 90th McConnell Shield
Saturday 14 November 2026
Six Mile Water Park, Ballyclare
Round 3 – Irwin Spiers Memorial XC
Saturday 5 December 2026
MUSA, Cookstown
Round 4 – Owenbeg XC
Saturday 16 January 2027
Owenbeg GAA, Dungiven
Round 5 – Enniskillen XC
Saturday 30 January 2027
Venue TBC
Round 6 – NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships
Saturday 20 February 2027
Lurgan Park
At the end of the season, awards will be presented to the top eight teams in both the Male and Female leagues, alongside the Best Combined Team Award.
The Club Participation Award will also recognise the club recording the highest combined Male and Female participation total across the six rounds.
Whether your club is chasing league honours, looking to improve its position throughout the season, or simply aiming to get as many athletes as possible on the start line, there is something to compete for throughout the 2026/27 league.
Full details of the competition format, eligibility, scoring and awards are available in the Rules of Competition.
Clubs and athletes are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the rules and key information ahead of the first round.