The RFU Council has recently made significant decisions regarding the structure of the Championship rugby league, as discussed in a meeting covered by John Inverdale. For the 2024-25 season, the Championship will consist of 12 teams, including the 11 existing clubs and Chinnor RFC, promoted from National One. This setup prevents any relegation at the end of the current season. Additionally, the council approved in principle an expansion to 14 teams for the 2025-26 season, with aspirations for a 16-team league later. This expansion, supported by National League clubs, aims to develop young English talent and enhance club financial sustainability. Existing clubs must meet minimum operating standards to participate in the new Tier 2 league, a process overseen by the Tier 2 Management Board.
BREAKING: The Championship will expand to 14 teams in the 2025/26 season. The aspiration is that the league will then expand to 16 teams further down the line. The hope is to create a league that develops young English talent and support clubs to become financially sustainable. https://t.co/Rxrqq18if7
BREAKING: It has been confirmed that the Championship will consist of 12 teams next season. There will be no relegation at the end of this season and Chinnor will be promoted into the league to expand the competition back to 12 sides. Here is how the league will look: https://t.co/wz9bJKCEJs
RFU statement: 14-team Championship agreed in principle for 2025/26. #ChampRugby #EnglandRugby #rugby Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/H2YuJzcuen
Council approved process for existing Championship clubs to validate and evidence their ability to meet the “essential” minimum operating standards, and other matters, to participate in the new Tier 2 league, which will ultimately be decided by the Tier 2 Management Board.
Season 2024-25 will be a Championship of 12 clubs, comprising the 11 existing Championship clubs and the winner of National One (Chinnor RFC).
League size and competition structure options – the RFU Council approved the principle that Tier 2 will comprise 14 clubs for season 2025-26. @Champrugby
RFU Council meeting today will discuss minimum standards criteria for second-tier clubs. John Inverdale touches on that issue - and why National League clubs back them - in this piece. (I know I said last plug yesterday). https://t.co/K1Bduy3AHf