Athletics NI launches new six-race Cross Country League for 202627

The six fixtures will take place between October and February, with races spread geographically across Northern Ireland and more evenly throughout the winter season.

The changes have been developed following feedback from clubs, athletes and the wider athletics community and are designed to address some of the issues raised around the scheduling and location of fixtures, while maintaining a strong competitive league and giving clubs greater flexibility in managing their winter programmes.

The league will begin with the Bobby Rea XC at Billy Neill MBE Country Park on Sunday 25^th October and build towards a major finale at the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships at Lurgan Park on Saturday 20^th February 2027.

Athletics NI CEO Colin O’Neill said:

“This is about creating a stronger and more competitive Cross Country League and giving clubs and athletes across Northern Ireland a winter programme that they want to be part of.

“We listened carefully to the feedback we received. Clubs wanted a better geographical spread of fixtures, races spread more evenly throughout the winter and greater flexibility to manage their teams across a busy competition calendar. We have tried to address each of those areas while retaining the competitive nature of the league.

“A particularly important change is bringing the league to a climax at the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships at Lurgan Park. With double league points, Championship titles, club honours and Inter Counties selection all at stake, we want that final fixture to bring together the strongest possible fields and give clubs every reason to have their best athletes on the start line.

“This is the first season of the new format and we will continue to listen and learn, but our ambition is clear – strong competition, more clubs involved and more athletes competing throughout the cross country season.”

Six races across the winter

The 2026/27 Cross Country League will visit six areas between October and February:

• Round 1 – Bobby Rea XC – 25^th October 2026, Billy Neill MBE Country Park
• Round 2 – 90th McConnell Shield – 14^th November 2026, Six Mile Water Park, Ballyclare
• Round 3 – Irwin Speirs Memorial XC – 5^th December 2026, MUSA, Cookstown
• Round 4 – Owenbeg XC – 16^th January 2027, Owenbeg GAA, Dungiven
• Round 5 – Enniskillen XC – 30^th January 2027, venue to be confirmed
• Round 6 – NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships – 20^th February 2027, Lurgan Park

The spread of venues and dates is a central part of the new approach, providing opportunities for clubs across Northern Ireland and Ulster to compete while creating a league programme that runs consistently throughout the winter.

Greater flexibility – five from six

Under the new five-from-six format, clubs can compete in all six rounds but only their best five results will count towards their final league total.

The men’s and women’s leagues will be calculated separately, giving clubs additional flexibility while ensuring that every round remains competitive.

Recognising participation

Athletics NI is also introducing a new Club Participation Award alongside the traditional league competition.

The league will continue to be determined by competitive team results, with the first four eligible runners from each club forming its scoring team.

However, the new award will separately recognise clubs that consistently bring athletes beyond their scoring four to league fixtures throughout the season.

Every additional eligible finisher beyond a club’s four scoring athletes will contribute a participation point, with points accumulated across all six rounds.

The club recording the highest combined participation total across the men’s and women’s competitions will receive the Club Participation Award at the conclusion of the league.

The award adds another dimension to the competition and recognises the contribution made by the wider club membership to supporting a successful cross country season.

A Championship Finale

The most important aspect of this restructure is the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships become the sixth and final round of the league.

The Championships will take place at Lurgan Park on Saturday 20^th February 2027, bringing the league season to a competitive climax.

And there will be plenty at stake.

Double league points will be available at the final round, meaning league positions can still change on Championship day and placing an added premium on clubs fielding their strongest possible teams.

Alongside the league competition, athletes will be racing for NI & Ulster individual and team Championship honours, while performances will also form part of the selection process for the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships.

The combination of double league points, Championship titles, club honours and representative selection means the final fixture will provide athletes and clubs with multiple reasons to target Lurgan Park.

Athletics NI wants the Championships to bring together the strongest possible senior and masters fields and provide a fitting conclusion to the domestic cross country season.

Paul Magee, Chair of the Athletics NI Endurance Committee, said:

“The Endurance Committee has worked closely with Athletics NI in looking at how we can strengthen the Cross Country League and respond to the feedback we have received from clubs and athletes.

“The new structure gives us a good spread of races both geographically and across the winter season, while the five-from-six format provides some flexibility without taking away from the competitive nature of the league.

“We also believe there is real value in finishing the league at the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships. With double points available and Championship and Inter Counties selection opportunities at stake, there should be plenty for both clubs and individual athletes to compete for right through to the final race.”

How the League Works

The Cross Country League will be open to teams from clubs in Northern Ireland and Ulster affiliated to their respective governing bodies.

Team scoring: The first four eligible runners from each club will determine the team’s finishing position at each round.

League points: The top eight teams will receive 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 points respectively.

Five from six: A club’s best five results from the six rounds will determine its final league position. The men’s and women’s competitions will be calculated separately.

Championship finale: Double league points will be awarded at the sixth and final round at the NI & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships.

Participation Award: Every eligible finisher beyond a club’s first four scoring runners will earn one participation point. These points will be accumulated across all six rounds, with the highest combined men’s and women’s total determining the Club Participation Award.

Eligibility: Competitors must be aged 16 or over in the year of competition and registered members of an affiliated club to contribute towards team scoring or participation points.

Men’s and women’s teams will compete in combined senior/masters races where applicable. Where separate Masters races are held, only placings and finishers from the open event will count towards league team scoring. Masters athletes aged 60 and over competing in a separate race may contribute towards their club’s participation total.

At the conclusion of the season, prizes will be awarded to the top eight men’s and women’s teams, alongside the Best Combined Team Award and the new Club Participation Award.

Full competition regulations, individual race information and entry details will be published by Athletics NI ahead of the opening round.

For further information visit www.athleticsni.org