An update from CEO Neil Hampshire following the news that the Championship and League One will merge into one single division in 2026.

“Today sees the announcement of the merger of the Championship and League One into a single streamlined division for 2026, and the cancellation of the Super 8’s for 2025. This decision has followed several consultation meetings with all stakeholder Clubs through the ongoing Strategic Review of the sport. I’d like to place on record my thanks to the Strategic Review team for the open and collaborative way the process has been handled. As many of you will know, I have been a passionate advocate of a conference structure below Super League since back in 2017. However, I recognise that logistically, with the potential of 21 or 23 teams below Super League pending the outcome of the Super League application process, a single division is currently the best outcome for the sport.

There is no doubt that we have found it extremely difficult to compete this season and, unfortunately, that’s nothing new in the recent history of League One promotions. With some notable exceptions, almost all promoted sides in the last few years have been relegated the following year. The hard fact of the matter is that in the last 10 years the Championship has gone from strength to strength whilst League One was constantly presented with failed new franchises: Northampton (who didn’t even get to the start line), Cornwall, Gloucester, Hemel, Oxford and West Wales; and the withdrawal of an established Club in London Skolars. There is no doubt that those constant changes have made it almost impossible to create a consistent, viable, attractive and sustainable competition at League One level. Just looking at the 2025 season, we have seen those Clubs go a month, or even longer, without playing a game and that cannot be allowed to continue. I have no doubt that failing to act now would have put the future of several Clubs in danger.

People are quick to point out that the financial gap between the Championship and Super League is almost insurmountable. The gap between the Championship and League One was heading very much in the same direction. This new league structure is the first step in helping to address that financial disparity, and it’s important we follow that up quickly by looking at a fairer central distribution across the division together with the introduction of a sustainable salary cap. We also need better and more robust financial monitoring of clubs to help them identify and mitigate problems at the earliest opportunity. Finally, we should hopefully see a better distribution of talent as players realise they are now all competing in the same division, and it’s better to be seen out on the pitch playing than sitting in the stands as part of an all-star back-up cast. All that will help to level up the competition and, over time, allow us to put out the most compelling and competitive product on the field below Super League. I firmly believe the new structure is the start of an exciting new chapter for the Cubs and the sport. I have no doubt there will be naysayers and detractors, but I’d urge all Rugby League fans to get behind it for the good of the sport.”