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New play-off format and branding for Championship league

The Journal

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May 16, 2025

A SIX-TEAM promotion play-off for the right to play in the top flight will take place in the newly-rebranded Champ Rugby league from next season.

The second tier of English rugby will be known as Champ Rugby from the 2025/26 season and will consist of 14 teams, including the 12 current Championship sides, along with Richmond, who have been promoted from National League One, and Worcester. Teams will play each other home and away over 26 rounds of the regular season.

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