Play-off introduced as fixtures confirmed for 2025/26 National League Rugby season

In the 2025-26 campaign, clubs in National One will get an extra opportunity to earn promotion to 'Champ Rugby'.

Due to the expansion of the second tier, a play-off and 'Access Final' have been introduced to National One, meaning two teams could be promoted to Champ Rugby under the following criteria:

• The winner of National 1 will be promoted to Champ Rugby, subject to them meeting the Champ Rugby Minimum Operating Standards.
• The National 1 runners-up and the team that finishes in third place will enter a one-legged play-off, subject to them meeting the Champ Rugby Minimum Operating Standards.
• The winner of that play-off will then enter an 'Access Final' where they will play the loser of the play-off game between the teams placed 12th and 13th in Champ Rugby.
• The winner of the one-legged 'Access Final' will join the champions of National 1 in Champ Rugby.

Example

• Plymouth Albion could finish top of National 1. If they meet the Champ Rugby MOS, they will be promoted.
• Rotherham Titans and Rams could finish second and third. If they both meet the Champ Rugby MOS, they will compete in a play-off tie.
• The winner of that play-off tie would play the loser of the play-off game between 12th and 13th in Champ Rugby. So it could be Caldy vs Rams for a place in Champ Rugby.

This extra element to the National One season comes after the fixture list for 2025-26 was confirmed last week, with the campaign beginning on September 6th.

National One newcomers Leeds Tykes will host Plymouth Albion on the opening day, while fellow new boys Tonbridge Juddians travel to Leicester Lions and Clifton take on Blackheath.

Over in National Two North, newly promoted Scunthorpe, back in the fourth tier for the first time since 2019-20, start their term at home to Darlington Mowden Park while Regional 1 North West winners Rossendale travel to Hull. 

Macclesfield - who were placed in National Two North for this season - welcome Sheffield Tigers to Priory Park.

London Welsh - who have earned five promotions in seven seasons - begin life in National Two East by travelling to last year's runners-up Dorking, while Barnes play Canterbury in one of the opening weekend's standout fixtures.

Elsewhere, Oundle open their account at Level Four in front of their own supporters when they face Havant at Occupation Road.

Camborne will hope to respond to narrowly missing out on the National Two West title last season by going one better in 2025-26, and the Cherry and Whites begin with a trip to Chester. 

Steve Larkins' side have already been busy bolstering their squad, and have caught the eye by bringing Premiership winner and Fijian international Sam Matavesi back to The Recreation Ground.

Newcomers Barnstaple host Old Redcliffians on the opening day, while Midlands outfit Syston go to Cinderford's new state-of-the-art 3G pitch at Dockham Road.

The season will conclude on Saturday, April 25th, with the National One play-off and Access final set to take place in May.