The decision was due mainly to financial constraints, which in the past have affected teams travelling to and from Tobago for matches. As a result, the SSFL executive further determined that the two last-placed teams, Scarborough Secondary and Carapichaima East Secondary School would be demoted from the Premier Division to their respective Tobago Zone and Central Zone Championship Divisions. This meant the 2026 season was due to feature 17 participating teams, with the four bottom-placed teams at the end of the season in the Premier Division being demoted to their respective Championship Division, while the top three teams in the Championship Division ‘Big Five’ gain promotion to the 2027 Premier Division, which will comprise 16 teams. Yet, it is the Tobago teams that must suffer. Last year, the SSFL Premier Division faced major disruptions due to inter-island travel challenges, which resulted in postponed matches, namely during the late part of October, the high point of the Tobago carnival celebrations.