New Name, New Format: Big Changes Coming to English Rugby’s Second Tier

Worcester Warriors return, new clubs join, and a high-stakes structure is unveiled for 2025-26 season

A major overhaul of the second tier of English rugby has been announced, with a new name, new format and expanded line-up confirmed for the 2025-26 season.

The league will now be known as Champ Rugby, and it’s set to feature 14 teams battling it out across 26 rounds, home and away, with new play-off structures and promotion opportunities designed to shake things up.

Worcester Warriors and Richmond Join the League

Worcester Warriors, who recently secured their spot through a rigorous selection process, will join the 2024-25 National League 1 champions, Richmond, in the revamped competition. They’ll line up alongside the 12 existing Championship sides to form the new 14-team league.

What’s Changing?

Under the new format, each team will play each other twice across the season. Once those 26 rounds are complete, the league will split into a knockout phase:

• Teams placed 3rd to 6th will go into quarter-finals

• Winners of those will join the top two ranked teams in the semi-finals

• The winners of the semi-finals will then meet in a final to crown the Champ Rugby champion

The champion will face the bottom Premiership club in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off, with the winner earning a place in the top flight, provided they meet the required minimum standards.

High Stakes at the Bottom

It’s not just about promotion – there’s jeopardy at the other end too. The team finishing 14th will be relegated to National League 1. The 12th and 13th placed clubs will play a one-off fixture. The loser of that game will then go up against the winner of the National League 1 play-off, with the victor earning a spot in Champ Rugby for the following season – again, subject to meeting operational standards.

A Bold New Identity

Alongside the format changes, a new visual identity has been launched. According to organisers, Champ Rugby is being positioned as “the proving ground for players, clubs and communities” and a key stepping stone in the sport’s development. The fresh branding aims to inspire fans, support commercial growth and attract a new generation of supporters.

Simon Gillham, Chair of the Tier 2 Board, said:

“We are excited to announce the structure of Champ Rugby, which will bring a highly competitive and gripping conclusion to the season, providing both aspiration and jeopardy.

“We have worked closely with the clubs and stakeholders on developing a compelling league format that rewards ambition and plays a key role in growing the sport, supporting both player and club development.

“Building up English rugby’s second tier competition is critical to the transformation of the elite game in this country, and we are at the start of that journey.”

Simon added that fans can look forward to “high quality event day experiences” and more engaging content as the league looks to build its presence on and off the pitch.

“We have developed a really strong brand identity which we believe showcases everything the league represents… It will appeal to both existing supporters of the league as well as being exciting and compelling for a new and younger audience as well as importantly potential sponsors and investors.”

The full fixture list for the 2025-26 season will be announced in the coming weeks.