The Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs) have voted to retain the existing format of the Rothesay County Championship.
A proposal to introduce a remodelled 13-match structure did not achieve the required majority from the PCCs, meaning no changes will be made to the current competition format.
The decision follows a county-led review into the structure of the men’s county competitions, conducted in consultation with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). The review explored potential adjustments across the Rothesay County Championship, the men’s Vitality Blast, and the men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
In July, PCCs approved a new structure for the men’s Vitality Blast, with the proposed changes receiving the required support. From 2026, the competition will feature 12 group-stage fixtures, with counties divided into three groups of six. The Blast will also be played in a dedicated block prior to The Hundred to strengthen its narrative, culminating in Finals Day on Saturday 18 July 2026 at Edgbaston.
A second vote was held this week on the proposal to reshape the Rothesay County Championship into a 13-match season – with a 12-county ‘Championship’ and a six-county ‘Championship Two’ – alongside an expansion of the men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup to 10 group-stage matches. That proposal was not approved.
As a result, the Rothesay County Championship will continue with its current 14-match structure. Division One will comprise 10 counties, while Division Two will feature eight counties. Promotion and relegation rules remain the same, with the bottom two sides in Division One relegated and the top two in Division Two promoted.
The Metro Bank One-Day Cup will also retain its existing format, with each county playing eight group-stage matches in two groups of nine.
The outcome of the vote was shared with the PCCs on Tuesday evening to ensure players, staff, and supporters were informed ahead of the final round of Championship fixtures.
Updated formats for men’s and women’s county competitions from 2026:
Rothesay County Championship
14-match format retained.
Division One: 10 counties, 14 matches. Team with most points crowned County Champions; bottom two relegated.
Division Two: Eight counties, 14 matches. Winner crowned Division Two champions, promoted with second-placed team.
Men’s Vitality Blast
Groups
Group A: Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Lancashire Lightning, Leicestershire Foxes, Notts Outlaws, Yorkshire.
Group B: Bears, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Somerset, Worcestershire Rapids.
Group C: Essex, Hampshire Hawks, Kent Spitfires, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex Sharks.
Group Stage: 12 matches per county (10 home-and-away in group, plus one home and one away fixture outside group).
Knockouts: Top two from each group plus best two third-placed teams qualify for quarter-finals. Winners progress to Finals Day.
Women’s Vitality Blast (Tier 1)
Group: Bears, Durham, Essex, Hampshire Hawks, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, The Blaze, Yorkshire.
Group Stage: 12 matches per county (six home, six away).
Knockouts: Top four counties qualify for Finals Day (two semi-finals and Final).
Women’s Vitality Blast League 2 (Tier 2)
Group: Derbyshire Falcons, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire Foxes, Middlesex, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids.
Group Stage: Eight matches per county (four home, four away).
Knockouts: Top three progress to Finals Day (Eliminator and Final).
Men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup
Groups: Two groups of nine, drawn randomly.
Group Stage: Eight matches per county (four home, four away).
Knockouts: Group winners progress directly to semi-finals. Second and third-placed teams meet in play-offs for remaining semi-final spots.
Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup (Tier 1)
Group: Bears, Durham, Essex, Hampshire Hawks, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, The Blaze, Yorkshire.
Group Stage: 16 matches per county (home-and-away against all others).
Knockouts: Top three advance. Group winner progresses straight to Final; 2nd vs 3rd contest Eliminator for the remaining Final spot.
Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup League 2 (Tier 2)
Group: Derbyshire Falcons, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire Foxes, Middlesex, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids.
Group Stage: Eight matches per county (four home, four away).
Knockouts: Top four qualify for semi-finals; winners progress to the Final.
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