Greene King IPA Championship (England) 2026/27

Elior Champ Rugby serves as the second tier of the English rugby union pyramid. Established by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 1987 as the Courage League National Division Two, the competition has undergone significant identity shifts. It became the RFU Championship in 2009 before adopting the title sponsor name Greene King IPA Championship from 2013 to 2021. In 2025, it was rebranded as Champ Rugby, with Elior becoming the title partner in 2026.

The league currently consists of 14 teams. The season format involves a double round-robin regular season where each team plays 26 matches. The top six teams advance to a playoff stage to determine the league champion. Historically, promotion to the Premiership was automatic or via a playoff between the champion and the bottom Premiership team. However, starting from the 2026–27 season, the RFU abolished automatic promotion and relegation. Entry into the Premiership will now be determined by a criteria-based expansion process overseen by an Expansion Review Group, assessing clubs on financial sustainability, infrastructure, and rugby excellence. Relegation to National League 1 remains, with the bottom team automatically relegated and others entering playoffs.

Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors are tied for the most titles in the second tier's history since 1987, with four titles each. Worcester Warriors are the most recent champions, having won the 2025–26 season. Other notable winners include Rotherham Titans (3 titles), Leeds Tykes, and Northampton Saints. The competition is distinct from the Premiership in its financial structure; while the Premiership operates as a fully professional closed shop with significant central revenue sharing, the Championship operates on a hybrid model. Many clubs function with semi-professional or part-time professional structures due to lower funding levels from the RFU and Premiership, which have been subject to financial disputes. Broadcasting reach is also significantly smaller, with limited coverage compared to the major deals held by the top flight.