English rugby set for unprecedented changes with promotion and relegation scrapped

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed a major overhaul to English rugby which will see promotion and relegation scrapped.

A radical restructure at the top of the professional game was approved during a vote by the Rugby Football Union Council on Friday.

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What changes will be introduced?

The proposal will see the Gallagher Prem – formerly known as the ‘Premiership’ – turned into a franchise model, with 12 teams in the division from the 2029/30 season.

This represents an expansion on the current format, where 10 compete for glory, and is set to continue for the next three years.

From the 2026/27 campaign, automatic promotion and relegation between the Prem and Championship will be replaced by a criteria-based expansion and demotion model.

Criteria for movement will include factors such as standard of play, finances, investment potential, infrastructure and location. 

A vote on the radical change was put forward after months of work with leading stakeholders, including the RFU, Premiership Rugby, Championship Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby and Rugby Players’ Association (RPA).

‘Safeguarding the future’

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney welcomed the move, hailing it as a necessary change to secure the financial future of elite-level rugby.

He said: “We recognise that moving away from a traditional system of automatic promotion and relegation represents a significant change.

“However, it is equally clear that the professional game must evolve if it is to thrive.

“The previous structure was not delivering the financial stability, investment confidence or wider system benefits the game now requires.

“This reform is about safeguarding the future — creating a model that is ambitious, sustainable and capable of supporting the whole rugby community, from the grassroots to the international stage.”

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Mike McTighe, chair of men’s Professional Rugby Board, added: “This is an important step forward for professional rugby in England.

“It’s long been clear that the previous system was not delivering the financial sustainability or long-term confidence the professional game needs.

“This agreement therefore represents a collective responsibility to change that, with all of the stakeholders involved coming together to design a model that provides greater certainty for investors, a clearer pathway for ambitious clubs and stronger foundations for the whole rugby ecosystem.

“We know there will be scrutiny, and rightly so. The proof will be in delivery: in improved stability, in renewed investor confidence, in tangible benefits to the women’s game and in sustained support for community rugby.”

Women’s rugby boost in overhaul

Also included in the radical rugby restructure is the obligation for Prem clubs to support their women’s teams.

Premiership sides included in the top flight will have to operate a team in Premiership Women’s Rugby, or invest in the women’s game, otherwise they will face fines for non-compliance.

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Currently, the Prem is made up of 10 teams – Northampton Saints, Bath, Bristol, Leicester, Exeter, Saracens, Sale, Gloucester, Harlequins and Newcastle.

There was no promotion and relegation between the top tiers of English rugby last season after Championship winners Ealing Trailfinders failed the minimum standards criteria.

The London side didn’t meet the requirements around ground capacity, as well as assurances over safety compliance.

Trailfinders are currently 20 points clear at the top of the table this term, having won all 20 games so far this campaign.