A landmark agreement to reform the structure of men’s professional rugby in England was overwhelmingly approved by an RFU Council vote.
The changes are a result of months of detailed work involving leading stakeholders (the RFU, PREM Rugby, Champ Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby and the Rugby Players Association) alongside consultation and engagement with clubs, investors, players and supporters.
This new expansion model will create investable, globally competitive leagues while expanding rugby’s fanbase, widening its geographic footprint and delivering tangible benefits to the women’s game and community rugby across England.
It is being introduced in recognition that the previous system was not delivering financial sustainability, discouraging long-term investment and failing to generate meaningful benefits for the wider rugby ecosystem.
From the 2026/27 season, automatic promotion and relegation between the Gallagher PREM and Champ Rugby will be replaced by a criteria-based expansion and demotion model.
This approach provides greater certainty for clubs and investors, strengthens long-term planning, maintains competitive integrity and protects player welfare.
The new managed expansion model provides a clear, transparent pathway with defined criteria giving ambitious Champ clubs and other potential new entrants something concrete to build toward and something investors can back with confidence.
It is designed to ensure that professional success at the top level supports the long-term health and sustainability of the entire rugby system in England - giving all England teams the opportunity to be the best in the world.
Other features of the new model:
Expansion Review Group (ERG)
A newly established body will be set up to assess league readiness, investor appetite and club preparedness for expansion. It will also have oversight and input into the demotion and replacement process.
Transparent Entry Process
Clubs seeking to join the PREM will go through a formal Expression of Interest and tender process and will be assessed against mandatory criteria (including rugby excellence, operating standards, financial sustainability and investment capacity) and strategic criteria - such as geography, women’s game and community impact). Expansion clubs will be required to play at least one season in the Champ.
Overall Accountability
PREM clubs will be assessed across rugby performance, attendance and fan engagement. Persistent underperformance could trigger demotion if a stronger, viable candidate exists.
Planned Expansion
The first expansion (up to 12 teams) is targeted for 2029/30, subject to readiness assessments. The long-term ambition is sustainable growth at the right moments for the league.
Elevated Standards from 2030
The introduction of new “Elevated Standards” for PREM and Champ clubs will cover areas such as investment in matchday experiences and commercial innovation. Clubs will also be required to either operate a team in Premiership Women’s Rugby or to deliver a jointly agreed regional women’s rugby development plan with meaningful minimum investment. There will also be a guaranteed level of investment into and activities with local grassroots rugby.
England Alignment and Player Welfare
The agreement embeds commitments to maintaining England Head Coach control and access to Elite Player Squad players beyond 2032, with enhanced player welfare protocols.
Long-Term Financial Alignment
A tapered funding mechanism reducing RFU payments to the PREM, linked to commercial growth.
Creation of a Club Office
A dedicated unit to support ambitious Champ Rugby and National League clubs in becoming investment-ready and capable of meeting PREM standards will be set up. The office will also support the development of PREM Clubs and facilitate alignment with PWR.
With the PREM already planning an ambitious growth strategy aimed at positioning the league among the world’s leading professional competitions, Champ Rugby will remain a vital proving ground within the system, offering ambitious clubs a structured, credible pathway to the top through the new managed expansion process.
Mike McTighe, Chair of the Men’s Professional Rugby Board said: “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. This is the beginning of a new approach with lots of hard work ahead.”
Simon Massie-Taylor, PREM Rugby CEO, said: "We are now firmly on the path to a more prosperous and brighter future for PREM Rugby. Our vision is to become the best league in the world – for fans, players and investors in current and future Gallagher PREM clubs – and these important changes throughout the game will help us achieve this.
“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
eco-system.
“We are extremely proud of what the PREM has achieved in the last few years and we are unbelievably excited about the opportunities that are now in front of us.”
Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO 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.”
Genevieve Shore, PWR Executive Chair, said: “PWR is happy to see the whole of English rugby come together to elevate standards for our athletes and our fans. We are pleased to say that we have worked closely with PREM Rugby, the RFU and all stakeholders throughout this process to deliver an outcome that benefits not just the men’s game, but also one that should protect and enhance the women’s game as we continue to grow.
“We are encouraged by the PREM’s commitment to ensure increased investment in domestic rugby is not confined solely to men's teams, and that the benefit of any new facilities or improved stadia is felt by our incredible PWR athletes and our fans.”
Simon Gillham OBE, Champ Board Chair, said: “The Champ Board and clubs have welcomed the chance to contribute to the development of this proposal. We see great promise in the direction set out and are committed to helping make it a success. This process has been and is a new opportunity for all England rugby's leading stakeholders to work together collaboratively. We look forward to working closely with the RFU and Men's Professional Rugby Board in the weeks and months ahead to resolve outstanding critical issues impacting the Champ, including governance, funding, jeopardy and aspiration.”
Christian Day, RPA General Secretary, said: “This is an important step for the men's professional game in England and we’re encouraged by the ambition of PREM Rugby to build the best league in the world with a shared benefit for all. For that vision to succeed the players must remain central to these plans. Players will be the storytellers who bring the league to life through their actions both on and off the field of play. Player welfare, remuneration and long-term care should be key areas of focus that this ambition must be built upon.
“We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that, as investment and revenues in the sport grow, the players who make this game what it is share meaningfully in that success as valued partners in the game.”
Q&As
When will the league expand?
The first planned expansion - to up to 12 teams - is targeted for the 2029/30 season, subject to readiness tests. The long-term ambition is sustainable growth, with league size expanding only when financially and competitively viable.
Does this remove jeopardy?
No. Competitive standards remain central. Clubs must meet mandatory operating standards to participate, and on-field performance remains a core part of the balanced scorecard.
How does this benefit women’s rugby?
PREM clubs must either operate a team in Premiership Women’s Rugby or fund a meaningful regional women’s development plan. Any fines for non-compliance will be reinvested into the women’s elite game locally.
How does this benefit grassroots rugby?
Each PREM club will commit investment to community and social impact programmes, with at least 25% directed toward rugby participation and development. Sanctions collected will be reinvested into community rugby within that club’s region.
Who will sit on the Expansion Review Group (ERG)?
The ERG will be independently chaired and made up of representatives from across the professional game to ensure fairness, transparency and expertise. Its proposed composition includes:
- An Independent Non-Executive Director (Chair) from the professional game structures
- A PREM Rugby representative (not affiliated to a club)
- An RFU representative
- A Rugby Players Association representative
- A Champ representative (not affiliated to a club)
- Additional independent members where required, based on skills and governance needs
- The ERG will make recommendations to the Men’s Professional Rugby Board, which retains ultimate decision-making authority.
What criteria are required for expansion or promotion?
Clubs must meet mandatory standards covering financial sustainability, ownership strength, governance, facilities, operating capability and rugby performance. They will also be assessed against strategic criteria such as geographic growth potential, contribution to women’s rugby and community impact. Expansion will only occur if a candidate demonstrably strengthens the league.