2025–26 Champ Rugby

2025–26 Champ Rugby
Countries England
Date3 October 2024 – May 2025
Matches played77
Attendance151,752
(average 1,971 per match)
Highest attendance9,000 – Worcester v Coventry, 4 October 2025
Lowest attendance672 – Ampthill v Hartpury, 29 November 2025
Tries scored620
(average 8.1 per match)
Top point scorer110 – Harry Bazalgette (Hartpury)
Top try scorer13 – Peter Sullivan (Coventry)

The 2025–26 Champ Rugby will be the seventeenth season of the Champ Rugby, the professional second tier of rugby union in England. It is the first season under the rebranded banner of Champ Rugby, succeeding sixteen seasons under RFU Championship branding. The number of teams in the league will increase by two, as there was no relegation in the previous season. Ealing Trailfinders are the defending champions. Ealing were not promoted to the Premiership after failing to meet the minimum standards criteria.[1] Richmond were promoted from National League 1 and Worcester Warriors were added following a period of administration.

Background

On 15 May 2025, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) unveiled the new format and structure of English rugby's second division branded Champ Rugby. The competition will see a return of relegation to National League 1 and potential promotion to the Premiership, which Tier 2 board chair Simon Gillham said will create "aspiration and jeopardy".[2][3]

The league has been expanded to 14 teams, with 2024–25 National League 1 winners Richmond joining the competition alongside newly reestablished Worcester Warriors, who will mark their return to professional rugby following a period in administration.[4][5]

Structure

League season

The fourteen teams will play each of the other teams twice, once at home and once away from home.

The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

  • 4 points are awarded for a win
  • 2 points are awarded for a draw
  • 0 points are awarded for a loss, however
    • 1 losing (bonus) point is awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or fewer
    • 1 additional (bonus) point is awarded to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match

Play-offs and relegation

1st–6th place
The top six sides, after the regular season, will enter into a play-off phase to determine the league champions. The teams that finish in first and second place in the regular season standings will earn automatic home semi-final places. The 3rd–6th placed teams in the league standings will play quarter-finals to determine who makes it to the semi-finals.[2] The eventual champions will then face the bottom placed team in the 2025–26 Premiership for a chance at promotion to the top tier.

12th & 13th
The teams placed 12th and 13th in the table will face each other in single-leg play-off, the loser playing the runner-up in 2025–26 National League 1. The eventual winner will be in Champ Rugby for the 2026–27 season.[2]

14th
The bottom placed side will be automatically relegated to National League 1 for the 2026–27 season. They will be replaced by the National League 1 champions.[2]

Participation teams and location

Fourteen teams will complete in the league – the twelve teams from last season, the champions of National League One and Worcester Warriors. No team was promoted to the Premiership. Last season the RFU's Tier 2 Board ran a tender process for any club, college or university to join this league, if they could meet a growth strategy and minimum operating standards. On 3 April 2025 the RFU announced that Worcester Warriors will return to professional rugby, two and half years after going into administration.[6][7]

Table

2025–26 Champ Rugby table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Ealing Trailfinders 11 11 0 0 505 162 +343 10 0 54 Play-off
semi-finals
2 Bedford Blues 11 8 1 2 357 275 +82 10 1 45
3 Worcester Warriors 11 8 0 3 385 257 +128 9 2 43 Play-off
quarter-finals
4 Hartpury 11 7 1 3 307 278 +29 5 1 36
5 Chinnor 11 7 0 4 292 239 +53 4 3 35
6 Coventry 11 6 0 5 423 340 +83 9 2 35
7 Nottingham 11 5 1 5 280 257 +23 8 4 34
8 Cornish Pirates 11 5 1 5 305 261 +44 7 3 32
9 Ampthill 11 5 0 6 269 436 −167 6 1 27
10 Doncaster Knights 11 4 2 5 291 280 +11 5 2 27
11 Caldy 11 4 0 7 247 295 −48 6 2 24
12 Richmond 11 3 0 8 231 296 −65 1 3 16 Relegation play-off
13 London Scottish 11 1 0 10 191 375 −184 3 2 9
14 Cambridge 11 0 0 11 189 521 −332 4 2 6 Relegated
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: England Rugby
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of matches drawn
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

Regular season

The regular season fixtures were announced on 10 July 2025.[11][12]

Round 1

3 October 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Nottingham26–8Doncaster Knights
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,301
Referee: Alex Thomas
4 October 2025
14:00
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors29–19Coventry
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 9,000[a]
Referee: Hamish Grant
4 October 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates21–22Hartpury
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,381
Referee: Jamie Parr
4 October 2025
15:00
Richmond18–13Chinnor (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,007[b]
Referee: Charlie Gayther
4 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Cambridge24–45Ampthill (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,065
Referee: Andrew Wigley
4 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Caldy26–10London Scottish
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,320
Referee: Henry Pearson
4 October 2025
16:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues22–50Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,413
Referee: Luke Pearce

[13]


Round 2

10 October 2025
19:45
London Scottish7–26Nottingham (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 819
Referee: Jonathan Cook
11 October 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights42–15Cambridge
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,334
Referee: Charles Gayther
11 October 2025
14:30
Hartpury28–25Worcester Warriors (2 BP)
Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Andrew Wigley
11 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ampthill26–21Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 1,072
Referee: Richard Gordon
11 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Caldy27–21Richmond (1 BP)
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,834
Referee: Jamie Parr
11 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Coventry35–30Bedford Blues (2 BP)
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,764
Referee: Ian Tempest
11 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders55–7Chinnor
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,293
Referee: Ben Wood

[14]


Round 3

17 October 2025
19:45
(2 BP) Nottingham24–31Caldy (1 BP)
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,484
Referee: Harry Walbaum
17 October 2025
19:45
Richmond12–43Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 1,205[c]
Referee: Mike Lamb
17 October 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors56–28Ampthill (1 BP)
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 8,000[d]
Referee: Ben Wood
18 October 2025
14:30
Cornish Pirates15–15Doncaster Knights
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,626[e]
Referee: Joe James
18 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues38–30Hartpury
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,575
Referee: Daniel Jones
18 October 2025
15:00
Cambridge15–38London Scottish (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,284
Referee: Alex Thomas
18 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Chinnor47–26Coventry (1 BP)
Kingsey Road
Attendance: 2,104
Referee: Henry Pearson

[15]


Round 4

24 October 2025
19:45
(1BP) Nottingham29–27Richmond (1BP)
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,154[f]
Referee: Jonathan Cook
25 October 2025
14:30
Doncaster Knights34–31Worcester Warriors (2 BP)
Castle Park
Attendance: 2,087
Referee: Hamish Smales
25 October 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Hartpury25–19Chinnor (1 BP)
Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 870
Referee: Hamish Grant
25 October 2025
15:00
Ampthill12–66Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 1,975
Referee: Jamie Parr
25 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Caldy41–24Cambridge (1 BP)
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,876
Referee: Richard Gordon
25 October 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Coventry36–63Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,631
Referee: Joe James
25 October 2025
15:00
London Scottish10–38Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 906
Referee: Charlie Gayther

[16]


Round 5

31 October 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Bedford Blues36–32Doncaster Knights (2 BP)
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,196
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
31 October 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors52–19London Scottish
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 8,900[g]
Referee: Hamish Grant
1 November 2025
14:00
(2 BP) Cambridge32–36Nottingham (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,267
Referee: Charlie Gayther
1 November 2025
14:00
Richmond17–52Coventry (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 700[h]
Referee: Andrew Wigley
1 November 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates34–27Caldy (2 BP)
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,506[i]
Referee: Henry Pearson
1 November 2025
15:00
Chinnor17–10Ampthill (1 BP)
Kingsey Road
Attendance: 1,207[j]
Referee: Daniel Rowlands
1 November 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders27–19Hartpury
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,263
Referee: Jamie Parr

[17]


Round 6

7 November 2025
19:30
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights21–23Chinnor
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,290
Referee: Charlie Gayther
7 November 2025
19:45
London Scottish7–26Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 962
Referee: Jamie Parr
7 November 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Nottingham28–36Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,614
Referee: Andrew Wigley
8 November 2025
14:00
Ampthill0–71Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 693
Referee: Ben Wood
8 November 2025
14:00
(1 BP) Caldy15–17Worcester Warriors
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,876
Referee: Jonathan Cook
8 November 2025
14:00
Cambridge5–54Richmond (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,176
Referee: Harry Walbaum
8 November 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Hartpury36–31Coventry (2 BP)
Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 1,020[k]
Referee: Craig Maxwell Keys

[18]


Round 7

14 November 2025
19:45
Bedford Blues20–8Caldy
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,107
Referee: Charlie Gayther
14 November 2025
19:45
Chinnor22–20London Scottish (1 BP)
Kingsey Road
Attendance: 1,628
Referee: Jonathan Cook
14 November 2025
19:45
Richmond17–12Hartpury (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 755[l]
Referee: Richard Gordon
15 November 2025
13:00
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates52–0Cambridge
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,582
Referee: Matthew Sharpe
15 November 2025
13:00
(1 BP) Coventry68–26Ampthill (1 BP)
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,415
Referee: Henry Pearson
15 November 2025
17:00
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors24–22Nottingham (1 BP)
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,500[m]
Referee: Sara Cox
16 November 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders35–21Doncaster Knights
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,595[n]
Referee: Joe James

[19]


Round 8

28 November 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Nottingham28–28Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,551
Referee: Ben Wood
29 November 2025
13:30
Ampthill21–31Hartpury (1 BP)
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 672
Referee: Andrew Wigley
29 November 2025
14:00
(1 BP) Caldy28–36Chinnor (1 BP)
Paton Field
Attendance: 1,276
Referee: Henry Pearson
29 November 2025
14:00
Cambridge14–61Worcester Warriors (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,329
Referee: Michael Lamb
29 November 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Cornish Pirates28–19Richmond
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,722
Referee: Ben Simpson
29 November 2025
14:30
Doncaster Knights24–21Coventry (1 BP)
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,669
Referee: Jonathan Cook
29 November 2025
15:00
London Scottish14–38Ealing Trailfinders (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 793
Referee: Charlie Gayther

[20]


Round 9

5 December 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Chinnor6–11Nottingham
Kingsey Road
Attendance: 900
Referee: Hamish Grant
6 December 2025
14:30
Hartpury33–33Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 802
Referee: Charles Gayther[o]
6 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues29–28Cambridge (2 BP)
Goldington Road
Attendance: 2,595
Referee: Jonathan Cook
6 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Coventry61–10London Scottish
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 2,856
Referee: Alex Thomas
6 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders38–0Caldy
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Jamie Parr
6 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Richmond20–25Ampthill
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 860
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
6 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors40–24Cornish Pirates (1 BP)
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,800
Referee: Ben Wood

[21]


Round 10

12 December 2025
19:30
(2 BP) Cornish Pirates26–27Bedford Blues (1 BP)
Mennaye Field
Attendance: 1,601
Referee: Harry Walbaum
12 December 2025
19:45
(1 BP) Nottingham14–17Ealing Trailfinders
Lady Bay Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,231
Referee: Henry Pearson
13 December 2025
14:00
Caldy22–33Coventry (1 BP)
Paton Field
Attendance: 892
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
13 December 2025
14:00
Cambridge15–55Chinnor (1 BP)
Grantchester Road
Attendance: 1,136
Referee: George Selwood
13 December 2025
14:00
(1 BP) Worcester Warriors31–19Richmond
Sixways Stadium
Attendance: 6,200
Referee: Charlie Gayther
13 December 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Doncaster Knights30–38Ampthill (1 BP)
Castle Park
Attendance: 1,417
Referee: Ben Wood
13 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) London Scottish24–33Hartpury (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 682
Referee: Jonathan Cook

[22]


Round 11

19 December 2025
19:45
Richmond7–31Doncaster Knights (1 BP)
Athletic Ground
Attendance: 962
Referee: Jamie Parr
20 December 2025
13:30
(1 BP) Ampthill38–32London Scottish (2 BP)
Dillingham Park
Attendance: 806
Referee: Hamish Grant
20 December 2025
14:30
(1 BP) Hartpury38–22Caldy
Hartpury Stadium
Attendance: 810
Referee: Sara Cox
20 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Bedford Blues35–19Worcester Warriors
Goldington Road
Attendance: 3,277
Referee: George Selwood
20 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Chinnor47–10Cornish Pirates
Kingsey Road
Attendance: 2,231
Referee: Joe James
20 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Coventry41–36Nottingham (2 BP)
Butts Park Arena
Attendance: 3,281
Referee: Benjamin Wood
20 December 2025
15:00
(1 BP) Ealing Trailfinders68–17Cambridge
Trailfinders Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,569
Referee: Michael Lamb

[23]


Round 12

26 December 2025
15:00
NottinghamvHartpury
Lady Bay Sports Ground
27 December 2025
14:00
CaldyvAmpthill
Paton Field

[24]


Round 13

3 January 2026
13:30
AmpthillvNottingham
Dillingham Park
3 January 2026
14:30
HartpuryvCambridge
Hartpury Stadium
3 January 2026
15:00
ChinnorvBedford Blues
Kingsey Road

[25]

Attendances

Club Home
Games
Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
Ampthill 5 5,218 1,044 1,975 672 35%
Bedford Blues 6 15,163 2,527 3,277 2,107 51%
Caldy 6 9,074 1,512 1,876 892 38%
Cambridge 6 7,257 1,210 1,329 1,065 55%
Chinnor 5 8,070 1,614 2,231 900 65%
Cornish Pirates 6 9,418 1,570 1,722 1,381 39%
Coventry 5 13,947 2,789 3,281 2,415 53%
Doncaster Knights 5 7,797 1,559 2,087 1,290 30%
Ealing Trailfinders 5 6,920 1,384 1,595 1,200 28%
Hartpury 5 5,502 1,100 2,000 802 55%
London Scottish 5 4,162 832 962 682 18%
Nottingham 6 8,335 1,389 1,614 1,154 38%
Richmond 6 5,489 915 1,205 700 20%
Worcester Warriors 6 45,400 7,567 9,000 6,200 60%

[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Individual statistics

Notes

  1. ^ The Rugby Paper gave an attendance of 12,067 for Worcester v Coventry on 4 October 2025 while the RFU match card gave 9,000. The RFU figure has been used.
  2. ^ The Rugby Paper gave an attendance figure of 1,100 for Richmond v Chinnor on 4 October 2025 while the RFU match gard gave 1,007. The RFU figure has been used.
  3. ^ The Rugby Paper gave a crowd figure of 1,400 for Richmond v Ealing on 17 October 2025 while the RFU had 1,205 on the match card. The RFU figure has been used.
  4. ^ The Rugby Paper had a crowd figure of 7,250 for the Worcester v Ampthill game on 17 October 2025 while the RFU match report had 8,000. The RFU figure has been used.
  5. ^ The Rugby Paper had a crowd figure of 1,627 for Cornish Pirates v Doncaster on 18 October 2025 while the RFU match card had 1,626. The RFU figure has been used.
  6. ^ The Rugby Paper gave an attendance figure of 1,167 for Nottingham v Richmond on 24 October 2025 while the RFU match card had 1,154. The RFU figure has been used.
  7. ^ The Rugby Paper had an attendance of 7,500 for Worcester v London Scottish on 31 October 2025 while the RFU match card had 8,900. The RFU figure has been used.
  8. ^ The Rugby Paper gave an attendance of 750 for Richmond v Coventry while the RFU match card gave 700. The RFU figure has been used.
  9. ^ The Rugby Paper gave an attendance of 1,504 for Cornish Pirates v Caldy on 1 November 2025 while the RFU match card had 1,506. The RFU figure has been used.
  10. ^ Attendance for Chinnor v Ampthill given as 1,300 by The Rugby Paper but 1,207 on RFU Match card. RFU figure will be used.
  11. ^ The Rugby Paper gave 650 as the attendance for Hartpury v Coventry on 8 November 2025 while the RFU had 1,020 on the match card. The RFU figure will be used.
  12. ^ The Rugby Paper gave a crowd figure of 750 for Richmond v Hartpury while the RFU match card was 755. The RFU figure has been used.
  13. ^ The Rugby Paper gave 6,900 as the attendance for Worcester v Nottingham on 15 November 2025 while the RFU match card gave 6,500. The RFU figure has been used.
  14. ^ Ealing v Doncaster attendance figure on 16 November 2025 provided by RFU match card.
  15. ^ The Rugby Paper had Alex Thomas as the referee for Hartpury v Doncaster on 6 December 2025 (despite also referring Coventry v London Scottish on the same day) while the RFU match card had Charles Gayther. The RFU referee will be used.

References

  1. ^ "Ealing fail to meet Premiership promotion criteria". BBC Sport. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Raisey, Josh (15 May 2025). "Extra drama added at both ends as RFU unveil new-look Champ Rugby". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  3. ^ Orchard, Sara (15 May 2025). "Championship becomes Champ Rugby in overhaul". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Trailfinders wrap up Championship title with win at Caldy". Yahoo Sport. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  5. ^ Heal, Chris (6 April 2025). "Round 24 Takeaways: Richmond + Leeds Tykes champions, TJs and Clifton take significant steps, survival battle rages on while relegations are confirmed". National League Rugby.
  6. ^ Kitson, Robert (3 April 2025). "Worcester wind back to life with second-tier return and vow to clear debts". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Worcester Warriors set for Championship return". BBC Sport. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  8. ^ "A right mess entirely of the RFU's making". The RugbyPaper. No. 703. 6 March 2022. p. 11.
  9. ^ "Hartpury Stadium renamed as Vodafone and 4Ed Foundation partnership unveiled". Hartpury University & College. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Richmond Athletic Ground". Richmond Rugby. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  11. ^ @Champrugby (1 July 2025). "LOCK THIS DATE IN" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 July 2025 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "2025/26 Fixtures Confirmed". Champ Rugby. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 890. 5 October 2025. pp. 18–20, 34.
  14. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 891. 12 October 2025. pp. 18–20, 34.
  15. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 892. 19 October 2025. pp. 18–20, 34.
  16. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 893. 26 October 2025. pp. 18–20, 36.
  17. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 894. 2 November 2025. pp. 26–28, 34.
  18. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 895. 9 November 2025. pp. 18–20, 34.
  19. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 896. 16 November 2025. pp. 18–20, 36.
  20. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 898. 30 November 2025. pp. 20–22, 27.
  21. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 899. 7 December 2025. pp. 16–18, 30.
  22. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 900. 14 December 2025. pp. 16–18, 30.
  23. ^ a b c d "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 901. 21 December 2025. pp. 16–18, 31.
  24. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 902. 28 December 2025. pp. 18–20, 34.
  25. ^ "Results". The RugbyPaper. No. 903. 4 January 2026. pp. 18–20, 34.
  26. ^ a b "Champ Rugby Stats". England Rugby. 20 December 2025.