2025–26 National League 1
Rugby union competition in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2025–26 National League 1 is the 38th season of the third tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions.
Countries
England
EnglandDate6 September 2025 – 25 April 2026
ChampionsRotherham Titans (1st title)
Runners-upBlackheath (also promoted)
| 2025–26 National League 1 | |
|---|---|
| Countries | England |
| Date | 6 September 2025 – 25 April 2026 |
| Champions | Rotherham Titans (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Blackheath (also promoted) |
| Relegated | Leicester Lions, Sedgley Park, Clifton |
| Matches played | 182 |
| Attendance | 123,235 (average 677 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 4,631 – Plymouth v Rams, 14 March 2026 |
| Lowest attendance | 121 – Tonbridge v Dings, 10 January 2026 |
| Tries scored | 1632 (average 9 per match) |
| Top point scorer | 328 – Richard Hayes (Rotherham) |
| Top try scorer | 48 – William Harding (Blackheath) |
Rotherham Titans finished the season as league champions, a 34 – 26 victory against Sale FC on 25 April 2026, giving them victory on the very last day of the season, and automatic promotion to the 2026–27 Champ Rugby, in a competitive title battle with Blackheath and Plymouth Albion who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively and would compete in the promotion play-offs.[1] Blackheath would also be promoted, winning their home playoff against Albion before defeating 2025–26 Champ Rugby play-off loser London Scottish to take their place in the 2026–27 Champ Rugby. For Rotherham it would be a return to tier 2 after an absence of 8 seasons, while for Blackheath it would be the first time at tier 2 1998–99 (27 seasons ago).
Leicester Lions were the first team to be relegated with four games still to play following a 35 – 59 defeat at home to Bishop's Stortford on 14 March 2026. The second relegation spot was taken by Sedgley Park on 18 April 2026 with one game to go, following a resounding 7 – 68 home defeat against title challengers Rotherham Titans.[2] The final team to be automatically relegated was Clifton who lost their final game heavily to title challengers Blackheath on 25 April 2026. For Leicester Lions and Sedgley Park, relegation would end a stay of three seasons at level 3, while Clifton made an instant return. 12th Birmingham Moseley went into the went into the relegation play-offs against the National League 2 sides but won both games, including the final against Oundle to remain in the division.
The other notable feature of the season was William Harding setting a National League 1 record of tries scored in a season - his tally of 48 beating the previous best set by Phil Chesters who had scored 42 back in the 2011–12 season.[3]
Structure
The league consists of fourteen teams, with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis, to make a total of twenty-six matches each. For the 2025–26 season there is one automatic promotion place, with the champions going up to Champ Rugby, while clubs ranked 2nd and 3rd will contest the National League 1 playoff (the 2nd ranked team having home advantage), with the winner going on to play the 13th placed Champ Rugby side for a possible second promotion place.[4][5]
Clubs finishing 12th, 13th and 14th will automatically be relegated to either, National League 2 East, National League 2 North or National League 2 West, depending on the geographical location of the team. The 11th placed side will enter a four team playoff with the runners up of the three tier 4 leagues, with one side going up/remaining in National League 1.[6][5]
Participating teams and locations
2025–26 Greater London National League 1 clubs
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rotherham Titans (C, P) | 26 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 1052 | 515 | +537 | 20 | 3 | 111 | Promotion place |
| 2 | Blackheath (P) | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 911 | 530 | +381 | 20 | 3 | 107 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Plymouth Albion | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 1000 | 549 | +451 | 22 | 2 | 104 | |
| 4 | Rosslyn Park | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 944 | 709 | +235 | 23 | 4 | 95 | |
| 5 | Sale FC | 26 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 826 | 590 | +236 | 19 | 5 | 92 | |
| 6 | Bishop's Stortford | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 781 | 836 | −55 | 20 | 5 | 77 | |
| 7 | Rams | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 780 | 798 | −18 | 17 | 6 | 75 | |
| 8 | Tonbridge Juddians | 26 | 11 | 1 | 14 | 805 | 733 | +72 | 19 | 7 | 72 | |
| 9 | Leeds Tykes | 26 | 11 | 0 | 15 | 658 | 873 | −215 | 12 | 2 | 58 | |
| 10 | Dings Crusaders | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 719 | 942 | −223 | 16 | 5 | 57 | |
| 11 | Birmingham Moseley | 26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 660 | 757 | −97 | 14 | 8 | 56 | Relegation play-off |
| 12 | Clifton (R) | 26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 621 | 909 | −288 | 13 | 4 | 53 | Relegation place |
| 13 | Sedgley Park (R) | 26 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 547 | 923 | −376 | 11 | 3 | 46 | |
| 14 | Leicester Lions (R) | 26 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 599 | 1239 | −640 | 13 | 2 | 23 |
Updated to match(es) played on 25 April 2026. Source: National League Rugby [22]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
- Number of matches won
- Number of matches drawn
- Difference between points for and against
- Total number of points for
- Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
- Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Fixtures & results
Round 1
| 6 September 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 14 – 46 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 223 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 6 September 2025 14:30 |
| Clifton | 17 – 34 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 362 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 6 September 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 28 – 43 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 747 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 6 September 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 18 – 24 | Rams (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 389 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 6 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishops Stortford | 26 – 12 | Birmingham Moseley |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 543 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 6 September 2025 15:00 |
| Leeds Tykes | 12 – 45 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 537 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 6 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 45 – 10 | Dings Crusaders |
| The Rock Attendance: 542 Referee: Callum Watson |
Round 2
| 13 September 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 52 – 12 | Leeds Tykes |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 415 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 13 September 2025 14:30 |
| Sedgley Park | 27 – 22 | Sale FC (2 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 376 Referee: Timothy Allatt |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 49 – 21 | Leicester Lions |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 630 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 33 – 31 | Bishop's Stortford (2 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 580 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 62 – 5 | Clifton |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,419 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 73 – 24 | Dings Crusaders (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 973 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 13 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 22 – 29 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 322 Referee: Adam Wookey |
Round 3
| 20 September 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 12 – 47 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 324 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 20 September 2025 14:30 |
| Clifton | 15 – 40 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 552 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 20 September 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 31 – 17 | Rams |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 801 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 20 September 2025 15:00 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 15 – 31 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 507 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 20 September 2025 15:00 |
| Dings Crusaders | 21 – 34 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 700 Referee: Holly Wood |
| 20 September 2025 15:00 |
| Leeds Tykes | 8 – 20 | Sedgley Park |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 311 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 20 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 47 – 24 | Birmingham Moseley |
| The Rock Attendance: 642 Referee: Ben Simpson |
Round 4
| 27 September 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 71 – 12 | Bishop's Stortford |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 703 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 27 September 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 38 – 15 | Leeds Tykes |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 813 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 27 September 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 30 – 41 | Clifton (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 350[d] Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 27 September 2025 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley | 19 – 34 | Dings Crusaders (1 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 575 Referee: David Charlton |
| 27 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 27 – 31 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 450 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 27 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 45 – 22 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,482 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 27 September 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 40 – 19 | Tonbridge Juddians |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 784 Referee: Callum Watson |
Round 5
| 4 October 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 25 – 41 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 227[e] Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 15 – 20 | Sedgley Park |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 401 Referee: Holly Wood |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 17 – 24 | Sale FC (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 432[f] Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Dings Crusaders | 31 – 36 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 363 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| Leeds Tykes | 7 – 19 | Rams |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 357 Referee: Timothy Allatt |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 29 – 14 | Plymouth Albion |
| The Rock Attendance: 590 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 4 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 31 – 17 | Birmingham Moseley |
| The Slade Attendance: 267 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
Round 6
| 11 October 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 27 – 26 | Rosslyn Park (2 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,260 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 11 October 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 43 – 12 | Bishop's Stortford |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 813 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 11 October 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 52 – 29 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 298 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 11 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 40 – 0 | Tonbridge Juddians |
| Well Hall Attendance: 854 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 11 October 2025 15:00 |
| Leeds Tykes | 27 – 24 | Clifton (2 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 309 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 11 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 64 – 17 | Dings Crusaders |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,881 Referee: Holly Wood |
| 11 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 31 – 28 | Birmingham Moseley (2 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 1,054 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
Round 7
| 18 October 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Leicester Lions | 35 – 31 | Sale FC (2 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 276 Referee: Timothy Allatt |
| 18 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 32 – 19 | Blackheath |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 880 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 18 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 36 – 46 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 445 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 18 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 68 – 19 | Sedgley Park |
| The Rock Attendance: 650 Referee: Holly Wood |
| 18 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 35 – 25 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 313 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 18 October 2025 15:30 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 50 – 31 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 531 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
Round 8
| 25 October 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 38 – 28 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 720 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 25 October 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 24 – 27 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 830 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 25 October 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 29 – 22 | Dings Crusaders (2 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 301 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 25 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 55 – 29 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 295 Referee: Timothy Allatt |
| 25 October 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Leeds Tykes | 19 – 24 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 347 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 25 October 2025 15:00 |
| Rams | 7 – 26 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 702 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 25 October 2025 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 36 – 21 | Birmingham Moseley |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,027 Referee: Adam Wookey |
Round 9
| 8 November 2025 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Leicester Lions | 26 – 29 | Clifton (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 290 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 8 November 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 56 – 0 | Sedgley Park |
| The Slade Attendance: 319 Referee: Holly Wood |
| 8 November 2025 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley | 15 – 33 | Rotherham Titans |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 780 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 8 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 36 – 29 | Rams (2 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 453 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 8 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 40 – 28 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 620 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 8 November 2025 15:00 |
| Dings Crusaders | 12 – 58 | Sale FC (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 301 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 8 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 53 – 17 | Leeds Tykes |
| The Rock Attendance: 680 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
Round 10
| 15 November 2025 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 24 – 19 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 571 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 15 November 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Leeds Tykes | 26 – 17 | Dings Crusaders |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 284 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 15 November 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 33 – 26 | Tonbridge Juddians (2 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 723 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 15 November 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 28 – 27 | Birmingham Moseley (2 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 334 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 15 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 48 – 29 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 367 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 15 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 37 – 29 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 410 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 15 November 2025 15:00 |
| Rams | 15 – 34 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 843 Referee: Ben Rayner |
Round 11
| 22 November 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 24 – 38 | Rams (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 242 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 22 November 2025 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 31 – 38 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 193 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 13 – 15 | Sale FC |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 388 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 31 – 3 | Sedgley Park |
| Well Hall Attendance: 520 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 24 – 35 | Clifton (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 654 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| Plymouth Albion | 22 – 21 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,939 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 22 November 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 27 – 28 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| The Rock Attendance: 449 Referee: Samuel Yates |
Round 12
| 6 December 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 13 – 26 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 245 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 6 December 2025 14:30 |
| Leeds Tykes | 17 – 42 | Birmingham Moseley (1 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 384 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 6 December 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 26 – 21 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 701 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 6 December 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 26 – 50 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 302 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 6 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 33 – 26 | Dings Crusaders (2 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 360 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 6 December 2025 15:00 |
| Clifton | 12 – 28 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 402 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 6 December 2025 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Rams | 31 – 35 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 820 Referee: George Ounsley |
Round 13
| 13 December 2025 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 40 – 15 | Sedgley Park |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 326 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 13 December 2025 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 24 – 26 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 297 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 13 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 38 – 7 | Clifton |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 655 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 13 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 36 – 28 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 620 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 13 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 41 – 24 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 281 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 13 December 2025 15:00 |
| Plymouth Albion | 24 – 14 | Sale FC |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,944 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 13 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 29 – 40 | Rams (1 BP) |
| The Rock Attendance: 810 Referee: Ben Simpson |
Round 14
| 19 December 2025 20:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 12 – 17 | Tonbridge Juddians |
| The Rock Attendance: 713 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 20 December 2025 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 19 – 28 | Birmingham Moseley (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 456 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 20 December 2025 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 29 – 13 | Sedgley Park |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 1,140 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 20 December 2025 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 27 – 29 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 746 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 20 December 2025 15:00 |
| Clifton | 10 – 35 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 526 Referee: Timothy Allatt |
| 20 December 2025 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 31 – 25 | Rams (2 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 451 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 20 December 2025 15:00 |
| Leeds Tykes | 19 – 18 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Headlingley Stadium Attendance: 1,024 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
Round 15
| 10 January 2026 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | P – P | Clifton |
| Clifton Lane |
- Postponed due to frozen pitch.[37] Game to be rescheduled for 7 February 2026.
| 10 January 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 36 – 31 | Dings Crusaders (2 BP) |
| Vizard, The Judd School[h] Attendance: 121 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 10 January 2026 14:30 |
| Sedgley Park | P – P | Leeds Tykes |
| Park Lane |
- Postponed due to frozen pitch.[39] Game to be rescheduled for 6 February 2026.
| 10 January 2026 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley | P – P | Rosslyn Park |
| Billesley Common |
- Postponed due to frozen pitch.[40] Game to be rescheduled for 7 February 2026.
| 10 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 52 – 19 | Leicester Lions |
| Well Hall Attendance: 605 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 10 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 39 – 17 | Bishop's Stortford |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,416 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 10 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 12 – 18 | Sale FC |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 772 Referee: George Ounsley |
Round 16
| 16 January 2026 19:45 |
| (1 BP) Leeds Tykes | 14 – 19 | Sale FC |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 987 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 17 January 2026 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 17 – 47 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 345 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 17 January 2026 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 33 – 35 | Rams (1 BP) |
| Vizard, The Judd School[i] Attendance: 147[j] Referee: Callum Watson |
| 17 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 27 – 35 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 565 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 17 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 24 – 10 | Sedgley Park |
| Station Road Attendance: 416 Referee: Ben Raynor |
| 17 January 2026 15:00 |
| Dings Crusaders | 25 – 19 | Birmingham Moseley (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 423 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 17 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 36 – 19 | Blackheath |
| The Rock Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Sam Yates |
Round 17
| 24 January 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 73 – 24 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 605 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 24 January 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 57 – 0 | Clifton |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 814 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 24 January 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 30 – 14 | Bishop's Stortford |
| Park Lane Attendance: 310 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 24 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 27 – 27 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 626 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 24 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 43 – 7 | Dings Crusaders |
| Well Hall Attendance: 605 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 24 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 41 – 10 | Rosslyn Park |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,086 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 24 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 34 – 24 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 723 Referee: Samuel Yates |
Round 18
| 31 January 2026 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 14 – 24 | Sedgley Park (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 257 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 31 January 2026 14:00 |
| Tonbridge Juddians | 19 – 31 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 312 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 31 – 24 | Rams (2 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 529 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 26 – 21 | Sale FC (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 302[k] Referee: Callum Watson |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| Clifton | 19 – 34 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 365 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 24 – 52 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 433 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 31 January 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 26 – 36 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| The Rock Attendance: 463 Referee: George Ounsley |
Round 15 (rescheduled games)
| 6 February 2026 20:00 |
| Sedgley Park | 17 – 46 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 420 Referee: George Ounsley |
- Game rescheduled from 10 January 2026.
| 7 February 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 54 – 0 | Clifton |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 531 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
- Game rescheduled from 10 January 2026.
| 7 February 2026 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley | P – P | Rosslyn Park |
| Billesley Common |
- Game rescheduled from 10 January 2026 but postponed again due to waterlogged pitch. Game to be rescheduled for 7 March 2026.[44]
Round 19
| 14 February 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 47 – 12 | Dings Crusaders |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 710 Referee: Owen Taylor |
| 14 February 2026 14:30 |
| Leeds Tykes | P – P | Bishop's Stortford |
| The Sycamores |
- Postponed due to frozen pitch.[46] Game to be rescheduled for 7 March 2026.
| 14 February 2026 14:30 |
| Sedgley Park | 19 – 33 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 354 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 14 February 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 52 – 24 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 733 Referee: Jack Sargentina |
| 14 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 55 – 12 | Birmingham Moseley |
| Well Hall Attendance: 310 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 14 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 26 – 20 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 1,853 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 14 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 45 – 25 | Clifton |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 614 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
Round 20
| 21 February 2026 14:00 |
| (2 BP) Leicester Lions | 29 – 33 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 236 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 21 February 2026 14:00 |
| Tonbridge Juddians | 21 – 41 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 282 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 21 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 34 – 19 | Clifton |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 419 Referee: Jack Sargentina |
| 21 February 2026 15:00 |
| Blackheath | 21 – 5 | Rams |
| Well Hall Attendance: 431 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 21 February 2026 15:00 |
| Dings Crusaders | 19 – 0 | Sedgley Park |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 294 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 21 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 36 – 34 | Sale FC (2 BP) |
| The Rock Attendance: 249[l] Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 21 February 2026 16:30 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 20 – 27 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 550 Referee: Owen Taylor |
Round 21
| 28 February 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 33 – 7 | Birmingham Moseley |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 597 Referee: Daniel Rowlands |
| 28 February 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Leeds Tykes | 45 – 38 | Rosslyn Park (2 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 382 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 28 February 2026 14:30 |
| (2 BP) Sedgley Park | 28 – 31 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 390 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 28 February 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 47 – 12 | Dings Crusaders |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 834 Referee: Owen Taylor |
| 28 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 54 – 40 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 258 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 28 February 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 26 – 34 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,550 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 28 February 2026 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Rams | 31 – 36 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 956 Referee: Jack Sargentina |
Rounds 15 & 19 (rescheduled games)
| 7 March 2026 14:30 |
| Leeds Tykes | 19 – 31 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 290 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
- Game rescheduled from 14 February 2026.
| 7 March 2026 15:00 |
| (2 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 31 – 35 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 303 Referee: Peter Connor[m] |
- Game rescheduled from 7 February 2026.
Round 22
| 14 March 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Leicester Lions | 35 – 59 | Bishop's Stortford (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 356 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
- Leicester Lions are relegated.
| 14 March 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 33 – 41 | Sale FC (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 211 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
| 14 March 2026 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley | 22 – 20 | Sedgley Park (1 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 640 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 14 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 22 – 15 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 715 Referee: Owen Taylor |
| 14 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 62 – 31 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 356 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 14 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 60 – 26 | Rams (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 4,631[n] Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 14 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 43 – 40 | Clifton (2 BP) |
| The Rock Attendance: 700 Referee: Ben Rayner |
Round 23
| 21 March 2026 14:00 |
| Rotherham Titans | 22 – 19 | Plymouth Albion (1 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,223 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 21 March 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 47 – 31 | Birmingham Moseley (1 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 877 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 21 March 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sedgley Park | 28 – 61 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 412 Referee: Alex Powdrell |
| 21 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 59 – 33 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 747 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 21 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 28 – 24 | Dings Crusaders (2 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 995 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 21 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Leeds Tykes | 53 – 48 | Tonbridge Juddians (2 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 378 Referee: George Ounsley |
| 21 March 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 71 – 38 | Leicester Lions (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 764 Referee: Jack Sargentina |
Round 24
| 11 April 2026 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 80 – 7 | Rams |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 867[o] Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 11 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 40 – 34 | Bishop's Stortford (2 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 377 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 11 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rosslyn Park | 88 – 7 | Leicester Lions |
| The Rock Attendance: 956 Referee: Nathan Howarth |
| 11 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 33 – 24 | Clifton (1 BP) |
| The Slade Attendance: 264 Referee: Jack Sargentina |
| 11 April 2026 16:00 |
| (2 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 24 – 25 | Leeds Tykes |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 1,108 Referee: Owen Taylor |
| 11 April 2026 16:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 68 – 24 | Sedgley Park (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,405 Referee: Callum Watson |
Round 25
| 18 April 2026 14:00 |
| Leicester Lions | 21 – 63 | Dings Crusaders (1 BP) |
| Westleigh Park Attendance: 185 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 18 April 2026 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Sale FC | 29 – 26 | Plymouth Albion (2 BP) |
| Heywood Road Attendance: 968 Referee: Ben Rayner |
| 18 April 2026 14:30 |
| Sedgley Park | 7 – 68 | Rotherham Titans (1 BP) |
| Park Lane Attendance: 773[q] Referee: Jack Sargentina |
- Sedgley Park are relegated.
| 18 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Bishop's Stortford | 37 – 24 | Tonbridge Juddians (1 BP) |
| Silver Leys Attendance: 1,074 Referee: Nathan Howarth |
| 18 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Clifton | 42 – 36 | Birmingham Moseley (2 BP) |
| Station Road Attendance: 648 Referee: Ben Simpson |
| 18 April 2026 15:00 |
| Rams | 19 – 36 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 815 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 18 April 2026 15:50 |
| Leeds Tykes | 19 – 43 | Blackheath (1 BP) |
| The Sycamores Attendance: 502 Referee: Samuel Yates |
Round 26
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Birmingham Moseley | 35 – 33 | Bishop's Stortford (2 BP) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 1,075 Referee: Alan Chandrachud |
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Blackheath | 52 – 28 | Clifton (1 BP) |
| Well Hall Attendance: 1,047 Referee: Jack Moorhouse |
- Clifton are relegated.
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Dings Crusaders | 40 – 52 | Rosslyn Park (1 BP) |
| Shaftesbury Park Attendance: 802 Referee: Samuel Yates |
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Plymouth Albion | 54 – 24 | Leeds Tykes (1 BP) |
| The Brickfields Attendance: 2,324 Referee: Adam Wookey |
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rams | 61 – 40 | Sedgley Park (1 BP) |
| Old Bath Road Attendance: 817 Referee: Callum Watson |
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Rotherham Titans | 34 – 26 | Sale FC (1 BP) |
| Clifton Lane Attendance: 1,582 Referee: George Ounsley |
- Rotherham Titans are champions.
| 25 April 2026 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Tonbridge Juddians | 83 – 14 | Leicester Lions |
| The Slade Attendance: 521 Referee: Ben Simpson |
Play-offs
National 1 Promotion Play-off
Clubs that finished 2nd and 3rd in National 1 would contest a playoff to see who would take part in the Champ Accession Final play-off with the 2nd placed team having home advantage.[5]
| 9th May 2026 15:00 |
| Blackheath (2) | 22–10 | (3) Plymouth Albion |
| Well Hall Attendance: 1,509 Referee: Ben Rayner |
Champ Accession Final
The winner of the National 1 promotion play-off would contest a final playoff away to the loser of the Champ relegation play-off to make up the final team to take part in the 2026–27 Champ Rugby.[5]
| 23 May 2026 14:00 |
| London Scottish (CR) | 7 – 27 | Blackheath (N1) |
| Try: Law 77' c Con: Bellamy 77' | Try: Hirskyj-Douglas 6' c Harding 13' c Hughes 29' c Con: Morley (3) 7', 13', 29' Pen: Morley (2) 44', 79' |
| Athletic Ground |
- Blackheath are promoted while London Scottish are relegated.
National 2 Promotion Play-offs
The club that finished 11th in National League 1 would contest a playoff with the runners up of National League 2 East, National League 2 North and National League 2 West, with the National 1 club playing the National 2 club with the poorest league record and the other National League 2 clubs playing each other. Home advantage was given first to the highest league level and then the better league record.[5]
| 9th May 2026 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley (N1) | 60 – 15 | Luctonians (N2W) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 1,192 Referee: George Ounsley |
National 1 Accession Final
The winners of the National 2 Promotion play-offs would face one another to decide who would be the final side to make up the 2026–27 National League 1.[5]
| 16th May 2026 15:00 |
| Birmingham Moseley (N1) | 19 – 15 | Oundle (N2E) |
| Billesley Common Attendance: 1,113 Referee: Ben Simpson |
- Birmingham Moseley remain in National League 1.
Attendances
- Does not include promotion/relegation play-offs.
| Club | Home Games |
Total | Average | Highest | Lowest | % Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Moseley | 13 | 8,739 | 672 | 1,108 | 303 | 13% |
| Bishop's Stortford | 13 | 6,929 | 533 | 1,074 | 302 | 33% |
| Blackheath | 13 | 8,106 | 624 | 1,047 | 310 | 38% |
| Clifton | 13 | 6,221 | 479 | 995 | 258 | 22% |
| Ding's Crusaders | 13 | 5,966 | 459 | 802 | 281 | 20% |
| Leeds Tykes | 13 | 6,092 | 469 | 1,024 | 284 | 26% |
| Leicester Lions | 13 | 3,662 | 282 | 456 | 185 | 14% |
| Plymouth Albion | 13 | 28,957 | 2,227 | 4,631 | 1,419 | 26% |
| Rams | 13 | 10,637 | 818 | 1,054 | 614 | 41% |
| Rosslyn Park | 13 | 8,444 | 650 | 1,000 | 249 | 32% |
| Rotherham Titans | 13 | 10,110 | 778 | 1,582 | 326 | 31% |
| Sale FC | 13 | 10,794 | 830 | 1,140 | 701 | 25% |
| Sedgley Park | 13 | 5,009 | 385 | 773 | 298 | 13% |
| Tonbridge Juddians | 13 | 3,569 | 275 | 521 | 121 | 20% |
[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][41][38][42][43][45][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55]
Individual statistics
- Does not include promotion/relegation play-offs.
Top points scorers
|
Top try scorers
|
Notes
- Leeds Tykes will also play one home game at the 19,700 capacity Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
- Typically the 12th placed team would be relegated but Leicester Lions avoided relegation from the 2024–25 National League 1 due to the RFU Championship expanding from 12 to 14 teams ahead of the 2025–26 season.[14]
- Tonbridge Juddians occasionally play home games at their 4G training pitch at Vizard (owned by The Judd School) in the event of flooding at their regular ground The Slade.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Sedgley Park's home game versus Clifton on 27 September 2025 - 350 on the match report and 400 on the results page. The match report figure will be used until further notice.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Leicester Lions home game versus Rotherham Titans on 4 October 2025 - 227 on the match report and 278 on the results page. The match report figure will be used until further notice.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Clifton's home game versus Sale FC on 4 October 2025 - 432 on the match report and 300 on the results page. The match report figure will be used until further notice.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Clifton's home game versus Rams on 18 October 2025 - 500 on the match report and 560 on the results page. The results figure will be used until further notice as it is more specific.
- Tonbridge Juddians had to switch their home game against Dings Crusaders on 10 January 2026 to their 4G training pitch at Vizard (The Judd School) due to The Slade being flooded following heavy rain.[38].
- For the second week running Tonbridge Juddians had to switch their home fixture (this time against Rams on 17 January 2026) due to their 4G training pitch at Vizard (The Judd School) due to The Slade being flooded following heavy rain.[38].
- The Rugby Paper gave two attendances for Tonbridge Juddians v Rams on 17 January 2026 - 143 in the match report and 181 on the results page. The match report figure will be used until further notice.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Bishop's Stortford v Sale FC on 31 January 2026 - 302 on the match report and 568 on the results page. The match report figure will be used until further notice.
- The Rugby Paper provided 2 attendance figures for Rosslyn Park v Sale FC on 21 February 2026 - 249 on the match report and 250 in the results page. Although both results seem very low, the match report figure will be used at present.
- The Rugby Paper listed Peter Connor as the referee for Birmingham Moseley v Rosslyn Park on 7 March 2026 despite him also being listed as referee for the National League 2 North fixture between Rossendale & Sheffield on the same day.
- Plymouth Albion's crowd of 4,631 was a National League 1 record.
- The Rugby Paper had 2 attendance figures for Rotherham Titans v Rams on 11 April 2026 - 267 in the match report and 867 on the results page. Due to Rotherham being involved in a promotion challenge the results page figure has been used.
- The Rugby Paper had 2 attendance figures for Blackheath v Sale FC on 11 April 2026 - 749 in the match report and 750 on the results page. The match report figure has been used.
- The Rugby Paper gave 2 attendances for Sedgley Park v Rotherham Titans on 18 April 2026 - 481 in the match report and 773 on the results page. As this was a key game for both sides the higher figure from the results page will be used until further notice.