THE Rugby Football League has confirmed its preferred structure for grassroots Rugby League in England from next year, as outlined in the National Community Rugby League initiative which is aimed at addressing declining participation numbers in the men’s game.

Details were sent to clubs and leagues on Friday, following a webinar the previous evening, together with a question-and-answer document for possible use this week, under the heading ‘Reimagining Men’s Community Rugby League: The Structure & Season Plan (2026)’.

The format will (if accepted, given declared resistance by the National Conference League’s management group and others) be headed by two twelve-team National Leagues, which would comprise the sides that had earned either Premier Division or Division One status in the National Conference League for next season. 

The top flight will, in 2026, be called the ‘NCL Premier’ in recognition of the flagship competition’s forthcoming 40th anniversary.

Those two divisions (known as Tier 3) will, in the RFL’s preferred option, be underpinned by Tier 4 sections comprising two twelve-team Yorkshire Conferences (as against one in a secondary option), together with North West, Cumbria and Southern Conferences. Those Conferences would include some 23 teams that are currently in the NCL.

A third Tier 4 option would include two North West Conferences, while a fourth would comprise three National Leagues, two Yorkshire Conferences, two North West (including Barrow) Conferences, and Cumbria and Southern Conferences.

The RFL, however, has elected for its ‘option one’. On that basis (and, the RFL stresses, for ‘illustrative purposes’) the Tier 3 and Tier 4 formats in 2026 would look:

NCL Premier: Heworth, Hunslet ARLFC, Ince Rose Bridge, Rochdale Mayfield, Siddal, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Waterhead Warriors, Wath Brow Hornets, West Bowling, West Hull, Wigan St Judes and York Acorn.

National Division 1: Dewsbury Celtic, Dewsbury Moor Maroons, East Leeds, Egremont Rangers, Kells, Leigh Miners Rangers, Lock Lane, Oldham St Annes, Pilkington Recs, Shaw Cross Sharks, Stanningley and Wigan St Patricks.

Cumbria: Ellenborough Rangers, Distington, Hensingham (all currently in the NCL) plus Flimby, Lowca, Maryport, Seaton Rangers and Wath Brow Hornets A.

North West: Barrow Island, Clock Face Miners, Crosfields, Leigh East, Millom, Saddleworth Rangers, Woolston Rovers (all currently in the NCL) plus Blackbrook, Haresfinch and Orrell St James.

Southern: Bedford Tigers, Brentwood Eels, Bristol All Golds, Eastern Rhinos, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, North Herts Crusaders, Wests Warriors.

Yorkshire A: Beverley, Drighlington, Keighley Albion, Myton Warriors, Oulton Raiders, Thornhill Trojans (all currently in the NCL) plus Almondbury Spartans, King Cross Park, Moldgreen and Stanley Rangers.

Yorkshire B: Bentley, Featherstone Lions, Hull Dockers, Milford, Normanton Knights, Skirlaugh (all currently in the NCL) plus Fryston Warriors, Kippax, Newsome Panthers and Siddal Academy.

An RFL spokesperson said: “To ensure a smooth transition into the NCRL framework for the 2026 season clubs will be provisionally placed into Tier 3, Tier 4, or Tier 5 based on current competition level, performance and operational readiness.  

“A placement review process will be available for clubs wishing to be considered for a different tier. Final placements will be confirmed by late November 2025, allowing time for fixture planning.”

​The NCL’s three-up, three-down promotion and relegation system will be retained between the two (Tier 3) National Leagues, and end-of-season play-offs will climax in Grand Finals. 

The five (Tier 4) National Conferences would, the RFL insists, maintain regional balance and manageable travel, while cross-conference play-offs would determine two promotions to Tier 3.

​The RFL’s spokesperson stated: “The two-division, five-conference model was chosen because it offers the broadest national coverage while keeping travel practical for the majority of clubs; a structure that accommodates all current NCL teams within the new national/conference framework; the flexibility to expand regionally as participation grows, and a proven competitive and sustainable balance between ambition, cost and inclusivity.”

Regional Leagues (Tier 5), for which management groups are being established, will continue to operate “as flexible, development-focused competitions. Formats may vary by region and include traditional leagues, short-form competitions or hybrid models.” 

The RFL, however, said: “Further consultation is being undertaken to explore whether Cumbria should remain a standalone conference, be merged with neighbouring regions, or should adopt a revised format that better supports club sustainability and competitive integrity.”

Meanwhile, ‘social rugby’ (Tier 6) will offer “informal formats ideal for new teams or returning players, and flexible participation” while provision has been made to include the BARLA National Cup and other knockout competitions.

Draft fixtures are expected to be shared next month, with the open-age season to begin on March 7. A review of the new structure will take place at the end of the 2026 season.