US EditionEngland Rugby Major Shake-up with Relegation Scrapped and Franchise Model
The RFU Council voted to replace promotion and relegation with a criteria-based model from 2026-27, targeting financial stability and expanding the league to 12 teams by 2029-30.
- On Feb 27, 2026, the Rugby Football Union Council approved scrapping promotion and relegation and endorsing a franchise model for the Gallagher Premiership with 12 teams by 2029-30.
- After seasons of financial strain, organisers said the previous league structure failed to deliver financial stability and no Premiership club made a profit in the 2023-24 season, increasing pressure for reform.
- From the 2026-27 campaign, automatic promotion and relegation will be replaced by a criteria-based model requiring clubs to submit an Expression of Interest and tender, play in the Championship, and meet performance and strategic criteria.
- As part of the agreement, all Premiership clubs must operate a Premiership Women’s Rugby team or fund a meaningful regional women’s development plan, with stakeholders saying this will expand the fanbase and strengthen planning.
- Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership chief executive, and Bill Sweeney, RFU chief executive, said the reforms will let current and future club investors confidently back growth in the English club rugby ecosystem.
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25 Articles
The English Rugby Federation (FRU) has also announced a gradual expansion of the elite from 10 to 12 clubs by the 2029-2030 season.
Promotion and relegation to be SCRAPPED in radical new announcement as English rugby faces major shake-up
Promotion and relegation are set to be scrapped in English rugby as part of a major shake-up.The Rugby Football Union Council voted today to abolish the traditional promotion and relegation system, with the governing body's members giving their backing to the sweeping reforms by an overwhelming margin during a ballot.Under the landmark agreement, the Gallagher Premiership will transition to a franchise-based structure, marking a fundamental shif…
Malvern Gazette
Change in how Worcester Warriors could reach top level from 2026/27 season
The traditional system of promotion and relegation to-and-from the English Rugby Prem will be scrapped from the 2026/27 season, after an RFU vote.
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