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#Post#: 150218--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Narbia
Date: February 27, 2026, 3:27 am
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> CVC get 27% of PRL income/profit or whatever. So yes, any new
club joining PRL would.
>
> But no details have been publicised regarding the new
financial arrangements and to what extent they will be
different, if at all.
>
--- End Quote ---
Of course to get into to the esteemed echelons of The Prem,
NewCorp Rugby would have to buy an appropriate amount of
P-shares, currently estimated at ~ £20 Mn.
#Post#: 150236--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Mandator
Date: February 27, 2026, 6:53 am
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Phew! a lucky escape for us the way we are currently playing!
#Post#: 150238--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: February 27, 2026, 6:59 am
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--- Quote from: Narbia link ---
>
> Of course to get into to the esteemed echelons of The Prem,
NewCorp Rugby would have to buy an appropriate amount of
P-shares, currently estimated at ~ £20 Mn.
>
--- End Quote ---
£13.5m last time I heard.
#Post#: 150241--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: DOK
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:18 am
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So we're now a franchise? What's the difference?
#Post#: 150242--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:18 am
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The takeover of Warner who jointly own TNT with BT/EE, will be
interesting, as paramount also own CBS sports and paramount +,
so they have in effect just bid against themselves to get the
rights to next years European champions league football.
Discovery + is moving its TNT coverage to HBO max next month,
but it is likely that paramount will not want three separate
streaming apps, Discovery + HBO max and Paramount plus, they
also joint own showtime with sky, and may well want to buy out
BT’s interest in TNT sports.
So HBO plus may be very short lived, and will paramount want
rugby.
Since TNT were the only bidder for the prem rights last time
round, it could have a big impact on the clubs income.
#Post#: 150243--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:24 am
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--- Quote from: DOK link ---
>
> So we're now a franchise? What's the difference?
>
--- End Quote ---
We can be really bad and never get relegated, and because we
have the best shirt in rugby and a cool name, will never lose
our franchise.
It provides a more stable environment for long term investment
and will make the club worth more, and borrowing easier.
You can also do things like a single kit provider, and other
centralised services for all the clubs.
#Post#: 150244--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Mandator
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:44 am
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So what happens to the Ladies game? Are they part of the
Franchise?
#Post#: 150245--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:52 am
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You could consider it as a "franchise" model, given that
there's no relegation to a lower tier and the clubs were invited
to join the competition by the RFU when it was set up, with a
few changes since then for various reasons.
#Post#: 150246--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: February 27, 2026, 8:55 am
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Well, it's official. This is from the RFU site:
RFU
27 Feb 2026
Rugby unites behind transformational new vision
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.
#Post#: 150248--------------------------------------------------
Re: RFU set to confirm radical revamp for English rugby
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: February 27, 2026, 11:39 am
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--- Quote from: Mandator link ---
>
> So what happens to the Ladies game? Are they part of the
Franchise?
>
--- End Quote ---
No, the PWR is already a franchise, but a different one.
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