The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed its roadmap for change in the men’s professional game in Wales.
The WRU’s future operating model affirms the plan to establish three men’s professional teams from the 2028/29 season – one based in the capital, one in west Wales and one in east Wales.
The WRU Board has examined in detail a range of factors when determining the three future licence areas and has confirmed that only incumbent teams will be considered eligible for a licence. This means contingent on the agreement of the final licensing terms, Dragons RFC and Cardiff Rugby would be offered the respective east and capital licences.
A firm timeline has now been agreed by the WRU Board to determine the licensing framework and the licence award process, in accordance with its decision as to geographical allocation of the new licences. That process is scheduled to begin in December 2026 and conclude by the end of the 2026/27 season, at the latest.
Stability across the men’s professional game through to 2028 has recently been achieved by all four men’s teams transitioning to the same agreement with the WRU – the Professional Rugby Agreement 2025 (PRA25). This period of stability will now be used to determine the funding model and licence framework required to deliver a sustainable and successful professional game, with the incumbent professional clubs playing an integral part in creating that framework.
Following on from the autumn Nations Championship matches, the WRU will bring together the leadership of all the professional teams, and other stakeholders, to co-create the future operating model for the men’s game.
The aim of that collaborative work will be to:
- create a shared understanding of the financial and strategic realities facing the game
- engage stakeholders in a consensual structured way to shape the licensing terms of the future operating model
- determine the interest of each existing professional club in taking up the new 2028 licence agreements
That process will run throughout the first quarter of 2027, at which point all current professional clubs will be given an opportunity to confirm whether they wish to participate in the future operating model.
WRU Vice Chair John Manders said: “We have affirmed that the future operating model will involve three professional teams from start of the 2028/29 season and now have a firm timeline for our next steps. We have already begun to put the support structures in place to develop the related player pathways, to create the best environments for our senior players, to provide the right financial support and to develop the facilities around them. We are making important progress which will safeguard the future of our game, concentrate resources and give our teams the best chance of achieving success at all levels.”
Chair of the Professional Rugby Board, Marianne Økland, said: “There is now a duty on all of us involved in the professional game in Wales to work together to determine a shared future operating model. How we progress over the forthcoming months will be critical.
“The aim is to finalise the new licensing model as quickly as possible and then move quickly to confirm future licence arrangements and transition plans. This will allow an orderly implementation and avoid prolonged uncertainty for clubs, players, supporters, investors and sponsors.
Assuming that Cardiff Rugby and Dragons RFC want to sign up to the proposed licensing terms, there is now certainty that they will be offered the capital and east licences respectively.
“We understand that there will be ongoing uncertainty until a final decision on the west licence is made. That is why we are committed to progressing in a collaborative way, whilst not underestimating the considerable challenges ahead, and providing stability for all at the earliest opportunity.”