English rugby is on the verge of significant structural change. According to reports, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Premiership Rugby (rebranded this season as Prem Rugby), and Championship representatives have reached an agreement in principle to suspend relegation from the top flight and expand the league from ten to twelve clubs over the next two years.
The move, if ratified, would represent the most dramatic shift in English club rugby since professionalism, sparking both optimism and debate across the sport.
The Proposal: Expansion and Playoffs
Under the new framework:
- Promotion and relegation will be temporarily suspended.
- A promotion-relegation playoff will remain in place, provided the Championship winner meets the minimum operating standards (MOS).
- Prem Rugby will expand from ten to twelve clubs by 2027.
While a playoff system was officially introduced in 2023, it has yet to take place. Ealing Trailfinders, winners of the Championship in both 2024 and 2025, failed to meet MOS requirements, leaving Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Falcons) in the Premiership despite finishing bottom.
The RFU Council is expected to discuss regulation changes at its meeting on 3rd October, with a possible formal vote in November or December.
Franchise Model on the Horizon?
The proposed changes are fueling wider conversations about whether English rugby should move towards a franchise-style model — eliminating the uncertainty of relegation and opening the league to investment.
- Rob Calder, Prem Rugby’s head of growth, has argued relegation is a “Victorian concept” holding back the sport.
- Bath owner Bruce Craig has backed a franchise model, calling it key to attracting investors and ending the cycle of financial risk-taking by clubs desperate to survive.
- Saracens CEO Charlie Beall expressed conditional support, stating that a franchise model could make the league “more investable” if aligned with sustainability and growth safeguards.
This shift would echo governance models in U.S. leagues and rugby competitions such as Super Rugby, centralising commercial operations and making entry conditional on financial strength as much as sporting merit.
The Champ’s Concerns
While the Championship board has agreed in principle to Prem expansion, it has pressed for clarity on what happens after 2027/28. Clubs want promotion and relegation to continue on the basis of sporting merit and financial stability, opposing the idea of a permanently closed league.
Their position underscores a central tension: should English rugby prioritise open competition or financial sustainability through a controlled franchise approach?
Return of Fallen Giants?
Reports suggest that beyond organic expansion, historic clubs could be invited back into the top tier if they meet new standards.
- Worcester Warriors, returning to the Championship in 2025 after their 2022 administration, are one potential candidate.
- Wasps and London Irish, also casualties of financial collapse, remain on the sidelines but could be part of the conversation if conditions allow.
For Prem Rugby, reviving big-name clubs strengthens commercial potential, broadcasting value, and fan engagement.
What This Means for English Rugby?
- Investor Appeal
– Removing relegation risk increases confidence for new capital partners, making clubs more attractive to long-term investors. - Financial Discipline
– The MOS framework ensures expansion isn’t just about numbers, but about stability, sustainability, and market readiness. - Competitive Balance vs. Growth
– The challenge will be balancing the romance of open promotion with the realities of financial sustainability. Too much control risks alienating fans; too little risks insolvency. - Commercial Uplift
– A 12-team league strengthens broadcast schedules, hospitality, and sponsorship inventory, giving the competition a stronger platform. - Global Benchmarking
– English rugby is aligning with global models where leagues function as entertainment products first, competitions second. This is critical in attracting international sponsors and broadcasters.
The suspension of relegation and expansion to 12 clubs signals a pivotal moment for English rugby. It is both a pragmatic response to financial instability and an opportunity to reimagine the league’s future.
The real question is not whether the Prem will expand — it’s whether the sport can find the right balance between heritage and modern governance, ensuring that growth is sustainable while keeping fans emotionally invested in the competition’s integrity.
Subscribe to the 365247 Newsletter for Daily Insights
For Brands, Businesses and Services, feature in our posts
IMAGE: Getty Images
