English Rugby Union Undergoes Historic Restructure with Franchise Model Adoption
The Rugby Football Union council has overwhelmingly approved a landmark change to the structure of English club rugby, voting to scrap the traditional system of automatic promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship. This significant shift will see the introduction of a franchise model beginning with the 2026-27 season, marking one of the most substantial reforms in the sport's professional era.
From Automatic Movement to Criteria-Based Expansion
Starting from the 2026-27 campaign, the long-standing practice of automatic promotion and relegation will be replaced by a criteria-based expansion and demotion model. The RFU has outlined plans for the Premiership to expand to twelve teams by the 2029-30 season, moving away from the unpredictable annual movement between divisions that has characterized English rugby for decades.
This decision follows extensive consultation and months of collaborative work involving key stakeholders across the rugby community. The RFU, Premiership Rugby, Championship Rugby, Premiership Women's Rugby, and the Rugby Players' Association all contributed to developing the new framework, which aims to address systemic challenges facing the professional game.
Leadership Emphasizes Evolution for Sustainability
RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney welcomed the council's decision, acknowledging the significance of moving away from traditional structures while emphasizing the necessity for evolution. "We recognise that moving away from a traditional system of automatic promotion and relegation represents a significant change," Sweeney stated. "However, it is equally clear that the professional game must evolve if it is to thrive."
Sweeney elaborated on the rationale behind the reform, noting that "the previous structure was not delivering the financial stability, investment confidence or wider system benefits the game now requires." He framed the changes as essential for safeguarding rugby's future, describing the new model as "ambitious, sustainable and capable of supporting the whole rugby community, from the grassroots to the international stage."
New Governance and Expansion Mechanisms
The reformed structure introduces several key mechanisms to manage the transition and future growth:
- An Expansion Review Group will be established to assess league readiness, investor appetite, and club preparedness before any expansion occurs.
- Clubs interested in joining the Premiership will undergo a formal Expression of Interest and tender process.
- Premiership clubs will be required to operate a team in Premiership Women's Rugby or fund a meaningful regional women's development plan, with fines for non-compliance.
Mike McTighe, chair of the men's Professional Rugby Board, described the agreement as "an important step forward for professional rugby in England," noting that "it's long been clear that the previous system was not delivering the financial sustainability or long-term confidence the professional game needs." He emphasized the collective responsibility of stakeholders in designing a model that provides greater certainty for investors, clearer pathways for ambitious clubs, and stronger foundations for the entire rugby ecosystem.
Industry Response and Implementation Timeline
Premiership Chief Executive Simon Massie-Taylor highlighted the unity demonstrated by the decision, stating that "the changes agreed today show unity across the game and will allow current and future club investors to confidently invest in our new growth plan and the wider English club rugby eco-system."
The implementation will unfold over several seasons, with the criteria-based model taking effect in 2026-27 and the expansion to twelve teams targeted for completion by 2029-30. This phased approach allows for careful assessment of club readiness and market conditions while providing the stability that has been identified as crucial for the sport's financial health and competitive development.
