English second tier rebranded to Champ Rugby and new play-off format introduced
After winning National 1 in 2024/25, Richmond will be part of Champ Rugby next season
©Richmond RFC
English rugby’s second tier will be rebranded as 'Champ Rugby' from next season and will feature play-offs designed to elevate player development, club sustainability and competitive integrity.
The division’s 14 clubs - which include National One champions Richmond as well as Worcester Warriors - will play each other home and away, with the top six sides progressing to the play-offs, similar to the structure used in Rugby League.
The teams ranked from third to sixth will take part in the quarter finals to earn entry into the semi-finals, where the winners will take on the top two ranked sides.
The winners of the semi-finals enter the final to determine the Champ Rugby champion.
The overall winner will then face the bottom Premiership Rugby club in a promotion/relegation play-off, in both a home and away leg, to determine which league they will play in for the following campaign, subject to meeting the minimum standards criteria.
It could mean the winner of Champ Rugby might play a 30-game season and still not gain promotion if they fail to hit the correct criteria.
The introduction of the new structure for the second tier has also impacted relegation from Champ Rugby.
The team that finishes in 14th place will be relegated to National 1, but the teams that finish in 12th and 13th will face off in a one-legged fixture.
The loser of that game will then take part in a play-off against the winner of a National 1 play-off to determine who will play in Champ Rugby for the following season.
This play-off (Access Final) will be a one-legged fixture, with the winner joining the champion of National 1 in Champ Rugby, subject to the teams meeting Champ Rugby Minimum Operating Standards.
When the expanded second tier was formally announced at the beginning of April, aspirational National 1 clubs such as Plymouth Albion, Rams and Birmingham Moseley all expressed an interest in joining the league. The introduction of a play-off between Champ Rugby and level three will open the door for those sides wanting to climb the ladder.
Simon Gillham, Tier 2 Board Chair, said: “We are excited to announce the structure of Champ Rugby, which will bring a highly competitive and gripping conclusion to the season, providing both aspiration and jeopardy.
“We have worked closely with the clubs and stakeholders on developing a compelling league format that rewards ambition and plays a key role in growing the sport, supporting both player and club development.
“Building up English rugby’s second-tier competition is critical to the transformation of the elite game in this country, and we are at the start of that journey. Delivering high-quality event day experiences, gripping on-field drama at the conclusion of the season, and more compelling digital and visual content will support our transformation aims for the league.
“We have developed a really strong brand identity which we believe showcases everything the league represents and the impact we know it will have on the sport, our players, communities and fans. It will appeal to both existing supporters of the league as well as being exciting and compelling for a new and younger audience as well as, importantly, potential sponsors and investors in the league.
“We look forward to seeing the new brand roll-out across both central Champ Rugby channels as well as those of the clubs as preparation for the 2025-26 season starts in earnest.”
