Promotion and relegation from Prem to be scrapped as rugby moves to franchise model

• RFU council approves change from 2026-27 season

• ‘The professional game must evolve if it is to thrive’

Promotion and relegation from rugby’s top flight is to be scrapped as part of a major restructure at the top of English club rugby after the Rugby Football Union council “overwhelmingly” voted to approve a move to a franchise model.

From next season’s 2026-27 campaign, automatic promotion and relegation between the Prem and Championship will be replaced by a criteria-based expansion and demotion model with 12 teams planned to be in the division from the 2029-30 season.