Nearly a Third of Championship Rugby Clubs Are in Talks With Investors as Franchising Looms

Nearly a third of Championship Rugby clubs are in talks with potential new investors as Premiership Rugby prepares for a franchising model expected to launch in the second quarter of 2026.

The Championship, England’s second-tier rugby union competition, is seeing increased investor interest as the top flight moves toward a closed league structure with no relegation, following formal approval from the Rugby Football Union anticipated next year.

Premiership Rugby has engaged Raine Group and Deloitte to review the competition’s finances and funding options, preparing to go to market for external investment in Q2 2026 after selling 27% of its commercial rights to CVC Capital Partners for approximately £200 million in 2019.