Promotion and relegation between Gallagher PREM and Championship scrapped from next season as sweeping changes to English rugby approved
Updated 27/02/2026 at 15:17 GMT
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Relegation from the Gallagher PREM will be scrapped from next season, while Championship teams will need to apply for promotion to English rugby's top tier based on a set of criteria. The landmark changes were voted through on Friday, with the league hoping they will bring "a more prosperous and brighter future". It is hoped that the league will expand from 10 teams to 12 for the 2029/30 season.
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Promotion and relegation between English rugby’s top tiers will be scrapped from next season after sweeping changes were voted for by an RFU council on Friday.
Teams will instead achieve promotion from the Championship by applying to join the Gallagher PREM and being judged by a set of criteria, including standard of play, finances, investment potential, infrastructure and location.
It is hoped that the league will expand from 10 teams to 12 for the 2029/30 campaign, if there are clubs ready to make the step up.
"It's long been clear that the previous system was not delivering the financial sustainability or long-term confidence the professional game needs," said Mike McTighe, the chair of the Men's Professional Rugby Board.
"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.
"This is the beginning of a new approach with lots of hard work ahead."
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PREM clubs will be required to operate a team in the Premiership Women’s Rugby or invest in the women’s game, while they will also need to invest in community programmes.
The 10 teams currently making up the PREM are 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 once again lead the way this season - 20 points clear at the top of the table, having won all 20 games so far this campaign.
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Prem Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor said the changes will lead to "a more prosperous and brighter future for Prem Rugby".
"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 ecosystem," he said.
Meanwhile, RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said the scrapping of automatic promotion and relegation "represents a significant change", but one that must be made if professional rugby "is to thrive".
He added: "The previous structure was not delivering the financial stability, investment confidence or wider system benefits the game now requires."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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