County Championship Division Two (England) 2026/27

County Championship Division Two is the second tier of English domestic first-class cricket. The competition operates under the governance of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and forms part of the wider County Championship structure. It comprises eight clubs: Derbyshire, Durham, Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Middlesex. The season follows a double round-robin format, ensuring each team plays 14 matches against the others in its division. Automatic promotion and relegation links this division to the top flight. The two highest-placed teams in Division Two move up to Division One, while the two lowest-ranked sides in the upper division drop down. There is no relegation from Division Two, as the Championship remains a closed system of 18 first-class counties. The broader County Championship holds a unique position in English sport as the only first-class competition in England and Wales. It features multi-day matches that traditionally last four days, allowing for two innings per side and the possibility of a draw. This structure distinguishes it from the One-Day Cup and the T20 Blast. The competition was officially constituted on December 16, 1889, and began play in 1890. It was founded by eight leading counties at Lord’s, organized by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Over time, the format has evolved, including the introduction of the two-division structure with promotion and relegation in 2000. Various changes to the points system have also been implemented to encourage positive cricket. Yorkshire stands as the most successful club in the competition’s history, having won the overall title 33 times. Surrey follows closely with 22 victories. In recent seasons, Leicestershire claimed the Division Two title in 2025. The series has carried several sponsored names, including the Schweppes County Championship, the Britannic Assurance County Championship, the LV= County Championship, the Specsavers County Championship and the current Royal London County Championship. The County Championship serves as the primary pathway for player development towards Test cricket, maintaining its status as the premier domestic event in the country.