07 Apr 2026 - New clubs and teams for Season 2026/27

McDonald’s Worcester & District Football League

2026/27 Season – Club Applications Now Open

The McDonald’s Worcester & District Football League is now inviting applications for the 2026/27 season.

We provide a competitive, well-organised environment for open-age (16+) grassroots football, featuring structured fixtures, qualified referees, and strong support from County FAs. Whether you are an established club or a new team looking to join a respected local league, we welcome your application.

👉 Apply now:

Application Process

To apply, simply complete the online application form.

As part of the process, you will be required to provide:

• Details of key club committee members
• Basic club information

If your application is successful, we will then collect additional details such as:

• Pitch location
• Kit colours
• Matchday arrangements

We look forward to welcoming new clubs for the upcoming season.

Wayne Hanson
League Secretary

Costs & Fees

Below is a guide to the typical costs associated with participating in the league.

Estimated Seasonal Costs (Per Team)

• County FA Affiliation: ~£200
• League Fees: ~£90
• Pitch Hire: ~£50 per home game (grass)
• Referees: £40 - £45 per match

Please note: These are approximate figures and may vary slightly for the 2026/27 season.

County FA Affiliation

All clubs must affiliate with a County FA each season to participate in competitive football.

• Most clubs affiliate with Worcestershire FA
• Some clubs (e.g. Colwall St James FC) affiliate with Herefordshire FA

Affiliation is typically completed by the end of June each year.

• The 2025/26 affiliation fee (including mandatory player insurance) was approximately £195
• We recommend budgeting £200 for the upcoming season

League Fees

Club Deposit (One-Off Payment)

• New clubs: £100
• Additional teams (e.g. reserve sides): £50 per team

This deposit is held by the league and returned when a club leaves the competition. It is not an annual fee.

Annual League Subscription

League fees are typically made up of:

• Club/Team Subscription: £65
• League Insurance: £9
• Club Monthly Draw Fee: £60

Estimated total: £134 per team*

*Due to COVID-19, league fees were subsidised for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. Since then, fees have gradually increased but have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. No decision has been made on the league fees for 2025/26; however, the 2024/25 fee was £75 all-in per team, and this is likely to increase.

• The 2025/26 season fee was £75 per team
• Fees are expected to increase but remain under review

Payment Structure

To support clubs during pre-season:

• League fees are collected at the end of September (after fixtures begin)
• Payments can be made in two instalments (September and November)
• Deposits must be paid by August

Pitches

Clubs are responsible for providing a suitable home venue.

The league can assist clubs in securing pitches where needed, including:

• Worcester City Council grass pitches
• Worcestershire FA (WFA) 3G
• Perdiswell 3G

Typical costs:

• Grass pitch with changing rooms: ~£55 per match
• 3G pitches: higher cost depending on facility

Referees

The home team is responsible for paying the match official.

• Standard fee: £40 per match
• Increased fee: £45 (if referee travel exceeds 20 miles round trip)

Please note: Fees may differ for external competitions such as County Cups.

Additional Resources

• Setting Up a Club – Guidance for new teams entering grassroots football
• League Rules – Full competition regulations
• Information for Club Secretaries – Key administrative support and contacts

Join the League

If you’re looking to join a well-run, competitive grassroots league, we encourage you to apply.

👉 Submit your application today: