What is the Prem "Expansion" League
By JP
January 13 2026
What’s the proposed change?
Premiership Rugby leaders, together with the RFU and Championship Rugby, are planning to introduce a new expanded, ring‑fenced franchise‑style top division by around 2029. This would be a standalone league that:
-
Expands beyond the current 10 clubs, potentially to 12 or more teams over time.
-
Moves away from traditional promotion/relegation in the classic sense, replacing it with a franchise/licensing model (similar to the IPL or American sports).
-
Requires selected clubs to meet off‑field criteria (financial strength, governance, facilities and commercial viability) for entry into the top tier.
Key Elements Under Discussion
Franchise Model Instead of Automatic Promotion/Relegation
Rather than the simple league ladder where teams move up or down based on results, the new system would:
-
Ring‑fence top clubs with licences or shares.
-
Suspend or significantly weaken relegation for a period (perhaps 5+ years) to provide stability for investors.
-
Allow strategic growth by selectively adding new clubs that bring commercial value or geographic expansion.
Expansion Strategy
Several different expansion targets and ideas are being discussed:
-
12–14 clubs initially, with potential to grow further.
-
Target regions include Birmingham, Yorkshire, Kent, and opportunities to bring back historically big names (e.g., Worcester Warriors).
-
Discussions around when to invite expressions of interest — possibly around 2027 — so new entrants can be prepared for a 2029 launch.
Promotion, Relegation & Championship
-
Promotion from Championship / Champ Rugby would become criteria‑based, not purely sporting. Clubs would need strong infrastructure, finance, and strategic fit.
-
Relegation may be paused or altered, at least during the transition to the new franchise model.
-
Some stakeholders call this “anti‑sport” because it removes the traditional merit‑based route, while others argue it’s necessary for financial security.
Why Is This Being Proposed?
Financial Stability & Investment
-
Clubs are facing pressure to grow revenue, and backers/investors often demand predictability — franchise models offer that.
-
Premiership Rugby is also looking to centralise commercial operations and make the product more attractive to investors and broadcasters.
Global Competition & Market Position
-
There’s wider concern that European rugby might be left behind by:
-
Global breakaway super‑leagues
-
Expansion in other sports markets
-
Major League Rugby growth in North America
All of which put pressure on the domestic model to adapt and innovate.
Main Points of Contention
Here’s what the debate centres on:
Merit vs Business Value
Traditionalists argue sport should reward on‑field success (promotion/relegation), while proponents say business viability and fan engagement must be sustainable.
Impact on Lower Tiers
Championship clubs fear losing the traditional route to the top and being shut out permanently unless they can meet tough commercial criteria.
Fan Reaction
Some supporters see franchise models as Americanisation of rugby, potentially sacrificing traditional rivalries and fan culture for commercial gains.
Where Things Stand
-
The idea has in‑principle support from Premiership clubs and parts of the RFU.
-
A formal proposal and RFU Council vote are expected over the next 1–2 years.
-
In the meantime, promotion/relegation still technically exists, but will likely be shaped by these transitional plans.
English Premiership Rugby is debating a shift towards a franchise‑style, expanded top league that would be ring‑fenced and financially stable, with entry based on commercial and strategic criteria rather than solely performance — a significant potential restructuring of the sport’s domestic pyramid.
How can
A Champ Club Enter The League
A Prem Club be removed?
A walk through step-by-step scenario showing how a Championship club could enter and a Premiership club could be removed under the proposed franchise-style / expansion Premiership model. I’ll keep it practical and tied to the discussions currently in play.
Scenario: Expansion / Relegation
under a Franchised Prem Rugby
Step 1: League Transition
-
Premiership Rugby announces transition to a ring-fenced, franchise-style league for 2029.
-
Current top 10 clubs are offered initial franchise licences to secure their place.
-
Clubs from lower tiers (Championship/Champ Rugby) are told they can apply for expansion slots, but acceptance will be based on commercial, financial, and operational criteria — not purely on sporting results.
-
Relegation for current Premiership clubs is paused during the transition.
Step 2: Championship Club Applies
-
Example: Worcester Warriors wants to return to top-flight rugby.
-
They submit a franchise application, including:
-
Stadium facilities & capacity (minimum 10,001 eventually)
-
Financial plan & revenue projections
-
Governance and operational capability
-
Fan base and market potential
-
Their on-field performance in the Championship helps demonstrate competitiveness, but is not the only factor.
Step 3: Licence Approval / Entry
-
League evaluates applicants against franchise criteria.
-
If Worcester meets all criteria and the league decides to expand to 12 teams, they are granted a licence to enter the Premiership.
-
Expansion is gradual, e.g., 1–2 new clubs every few seasons, to maintain competitive balance and commercial viability.
Step 4: Premiership Club Review
- Example: A struggling Premiership club (e.g., Sale Sharks) finishes last.
- Normally, they’d be relegated based purely on points. Under the franchise model:
- License review occurs periodically (e.g., every 3–5 years).
- Factors considered:
- Financial health
- Stadium/facility compliance
- Governance standards
- Fan engagement & commercial performance
- On-field results (as part of the overall assessment)
- If the club fails critical off-field criteria, they may lose their franchise licence, even if they haven’t finished last.
Step 5: Removal / Replacement
- If a club is removed:
- Their franchise slot is offered to a new applicant, potentially a Championship club like Worcester or another commercially viable applicant.
- Replacement is strategic, not automatic based on league standings.
- Sporting merit may influence long-term inclusion, but business/commercial stability is the deciding factor.
Step 6: Ongoing League Operations
- The Premiership becomes stable and commercially secure:
- No automatic relegation every season
- Clubs know their investment is protected
- Expansion allows growth into new regions (e.g., Birmingham, Yorkshire)
- The Championship / lower leagues remain competitive, but promotion to the top tier becomes criteria-based rather than guaranteed.
Summary Table: Traditional vs Franchise Model
| Feature | Traditional Premiership | Franchise / Expansion League |
|---|---|---|
| Relegation | Last-place team drops to Championship | Licence review; off-field criteria determine removal |
| Promotion | Championship winner moves up if criteria met | Selective; commercial & operational approval required |
| Timing | Every season | Periodic licence review (3–5 years) |
| Stability | Low for bottom clubs | High — protects investment and continuity |
| On-field performance | Primary factor | One factor among many |
Key Takeaways
-
Relegation is no longer automatic — a club can finish last but remain in the Premiership if it meets franchise standards.
-
Championship clubs can join, but only if they demonstrate financial, operational, and commercial strength.
-
The model shifts the league toward business sustainability, investor confidence, and gradual expansion, rather than purely rewarding sporting results.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:28:09:44:17 by Faithful_City.
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
Below is a breakdown of Champ club capacities, their average gates and the % makeup of that capacity. Ordered by that take-up.
You can clearly see that some clubs are not yet compliant with Champ Rugby Criteria and many of the clubs are well below 50% sales/attendance.
Sadly Ealing are miles away from enough through the gate to sustain a Prem Rugby team. It would be financial suicide for them to be promoted unless their owner is prepared to lose upwards of £20million per annum.
More to follow
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
That growth is a huge amount of investment.
Not only will promoted clubs have to find a massive income growth just to cover the salaries of the increased club staff and player quality but also massive stadium development.
The first 4 years will be a massive spend
JP
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
If I was looking to invest substantial amounts of money, be it at club level or from the financial sector, I would be asking those in charge to resign. I don't think any investment would be safe or giving some kind of return with the track record of those who have held the reins thus far.
I feel those running the club at the moment are doing a pretty good job.
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
The first table is to show the match day income the present clubs in the Prem get from gate receipts. The average attendances and average ticket prices are taken from information available on the internet.
Clearly shows the enormous amount of money that comes from just gate receipts and the huge variation in attendances(support base)
The next is using the same avg gates of the camp but multiplying up as they are likely to increase if promoted.
I have increased Worcester by only 50% but all the other clubs by 200% as I doubt in the first season up they would more than double there attendances.
I have highlighted those clubs that would need to develop their stadium in the first season to accommodate double capacity. The following season many would have to grow by another 300% and all would have to have massive developments to their stadium and facilities
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
For Gloucester for the 23/24 season (the latest figures available) showed ticket sales of £4,613,230. Sale and Northampton for the following season showed figures of £4,758,463 and £5,860,950 respectively.
But I think that the important point to make is that ticket sales for Prem clubs amount to only a relatively small proportion of total income. For Gloucester the figure was 31%, for Northampton it was 26%. Central income (from the RFU and PRL), sponsorship, hospitality and such like make up the balance.
It is very different for Champ clubs where central income is minimal and whilst no doubt sponsorship and hospitality are important the major part of income will be ticket sales.
The other side of the profit / loss equation is of course costs - players' and coaches' salaries etc etc.
In most Prem clubs the difference (i.e. trading loss) is covered in one way or another by owners' contributions. There will be Champ clubs where this happens, there will be those where it does not.
Similarly there will be Champ clubs who can afford to develop their grounds, there will be those who can't.
They will have two choices, over the next 4 seasons to move to 10,001 capacity or be ejected from the Prem
1. Spend £millions and develop or build a new stadium
2. Move to another location and lease a stadium of the requisite size and all the admin problems
We don't have to spend a penny as we are already well over the 10,001 capacity.
When our planned development is complete we will exceed 15,000 Capacity.
I wonder when the meeting with the club management will be taking place - has anybody heard anything?
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:14:12:30:30 by Faithful_City.
Is this the reason for Ealing not seeking elevation to the Prem. and being happy to be Champions every season ? The Sunday Times rich list has him at £600 million plus.
I also don’t think the sugar daddies think of the expenditure as a loss. It’s a spend they continue to support, or not, as the case might be. For example, you don’t hear of Steve Lansdown wanting to exit Briz do you?
I’m sure he’d be happier if it did make a profit, but it doesn’t, and he chooses to spend as required.
There are egos involved here.Tony Rowe’s climb down is not unexpected but it’s a simple change of direction,
SIR Mike Gooley (please show some respect) was offered promotion for £35k I believe and he told Bruce Craig where to go. So woodywuss is partially right and TeflonTed is way off the mark.
Quote:Marlovian
SIR Mike Gooley (please show some respect).
😂😂😂
Quote:TeflonTed
£35k…??
Oops! £35m
But in what way am I off the mark re. stadium regs?
Can it be made to suit prem standards or not?
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
Quote:TeflonTed
But in what way am I off the mark re. stadium regs?
You're not. Mixed up the posts with you and woodywuss.
Quote:Faithful_City
Gooley was not offered a place in the Prem for whatever money, he was informed/calculated it would cost him £35million to develop his club and purchase “P” share.
And you know this because? You were at the meeting perhaps?
Time you all forgot about "P" shares. Meaningless now.
Quote:Marlovian
Time you all forgot about "P" shares. Meaningless now.
It's an interesting question as to what will happen to the P shares in any reorganisation.
I don't think that as things now stand that they are at all meaningless. Firstly when WW Mark 1 went into Administration the P shares were sold back for a significant sum. They therefore had at that time a real value. Secondly, Prem clubs value their P shares in their Audited Accounts. They may well be a paper value, £17.55 million is often quoted, but if they disappeared from Balance Sheets clubs would become insolvent - again on paper. For instance Gloucester's total equity in their 30 June 2024 Accounts (the latest available) was £7.3 million.
I don't doubt that this is an issue which can be addressed particularly as TV income will continue beyond reorganisation but it's something which will need thinking about. After all, if there are more than 10 clubs in the future TV income will have to be shared in proportion. Logically, unless that income can be increased, the paper value of the P shares will have to be reassessed.
RFU/PRL might be thought desperate enough to get the prem back to 12 asap, despite recent announcements that any new franchise setup will be based on the current 10 clubs, a statement which might be seen as somewhat “changeable” .
In my view, they could choose, whenever, to find a way of getting 2 clubs added to prem, and as a part of that it may be necessary to offer a share of broadcasting revenue.
P shares are entirely a construct of RFU/PRL, they can do as they wish to distribute broadcasting revenue as they see fit.
Rule nothing out.
£3 million per existing club is a nice windfall even if broadcast revenue drops by 10%.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:15:12:04:29 by Marlovian.
Quote:MarlovianQuote:Faithful_City
Gooley was not offered a place in the Prem for whatever money, he was informed/calculated it would cost him £35million to develop his club and purchase “P” share.
And you know this because? You were at the meeting perhaps?
I would ask you the same question
Quote:SIR Mike Gooley was offered promotion for £35k I believe and he told Bruce Craig where to go. So woodywuss is partially right and TeflonTed is way off the mark.
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
On the very simplistic numbers above Worcester, Coventry and Bedford are the closest to achieving those required numbers. Ealing may well be the best on the pitch but are miles away from being able to grow a support base of 9k+ required to get the income. Add to that the huge cost to get their stadium to 10,001 in four season will be very hard on Gooley's personal pocket.
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
" SEMPER BELLATOR "
It’s ludicrous and ill thought through. It will fail spectacularly.
It won’t fail, because it will never start.
What a shambles…nearly as bad as our total inability to play in a bit of mud.
It used to be that promotion was available to the team(s) that deserved it in the way they won their league. Now, it's let's see your money and whether you can bring good economics to the party.
And by way, it'll be 3 or 4 years before you get into the hallowed land of the Prem, maybe they're unsure what they're doing and are buying time ? I think more likely because they seem unable to come with a sports strategy, just finance which will kill Rugby Union if they're not careful.
I think the current following of Warriors is primarily about the excitement of being able to watch a decent of rugby in Worcester. Some are getting carried away and thinking we will be successful in the Prem. History shows us that Worcester had a strong history in the championship, ding dong battles with close rivals etc , good for spectators to watch. When we got to the Premiership our ticket prices went up and result went the opposite way, crowds reduced and the rest is history.
When looking at the final future, the only realistic number to calculate is the number of seats you can fill assuming you end up in the bottom two of the Prem for at least a couple of years.
When we were promote we did not get 33% of what the existing Premiership clubs revealed who had "P" shares
We received 70% the first season then every season after that that we spent in The Premiership our % increased by 5%!
Meaning it took us 6 years to get to 100% and a "P" Share. Cecil made up the difference.
Now if admitted into the prem we have to buy that P Share probably some sort of long term loan/ Probably paying back £500kpa but we would receive the full £6million a year
So not too bad
" SEMPER BELLATOR "