As we near the midway point in the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season, it feels somewhat appropriate to review the state of play in what has been a turbulent period for English Rugby.
This is the first year in which the Gallagher Premiership is operating as a 10-team league. For many fans, numerous questions remain.
The demise of Worcester Warriors, Wasps, London Irish and most recently, Championship winners Jersey Reds has shown the fragility of the game in England more so than we have perhaps ever seen in the professional era. The remaining clubs are facing sizeable debts themselves leaving the long-term feasibility of the Premiership in its current form in doubt.
The apparent financial issues being faced by the remaining Premiership sides beg the question as to whether a 10-team league provide the stability and financial consistency required to see top-flight Rugby in England get back on track.
Gallagher Premiership clubs now have three fewer home games per season losing valuable income on each occasion. This has already seen issues raised with main broadcaster BT Sport reportedly demanding a sizeable rebate following the reduction of games (Daily Mail, 2023).
In addition, with reduced fixtures, the value of a season ticket to fans also found itself under scrutiny pre-season. Season ticket prices in the Premiership for the 2023/24 season average around £300-£450 for adults (cheaper options are available). (Bristol Post, 2023).
To pay that for just nine home games whilst also committing financially to attend each game doesn’t necessarily equate to value for money when considering tickets can be purchased for one-off games for around the £25-£30 mark on average for adults, yet further evidence of significant financial threats to clubs given how key season ticket purchases are to yearly income.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby 2022/23 season financial stance by club
(Daily Mail.co.uk, 2023)
In terms of solutions, there are of course only hypotheticals for now. However, the likes of Ealing Trailfinders have shown in recent years that they have the ambition and ability to warrant a crack at top-flight rugby.
With the former building a particularly impressive squad including the likes of Billy Twelvetrees and Jordy Reid. It seems a real shame that we will be watching some of the Gallagher Premiership’s best performers in recent seasons playing in a league with a fixed ceiling and no room for growth as things stand.
The on-field and off-field progression of the likes of the aforementioned clubs provides an opportunity for growth. If the RFU were able to help these clubs continue their progression by allowing a pathway into the Premiership, we could one day see the league return to its 12-team format, once again providing more financial feasibility with more games on offer and therefore potential for more appeal in regards to season ticket purchases with greater value for money.
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For now, however, it remains to be seen what the future holds. There will be great hope amongst English Rugby fans that the game can reach a level where the highly entertaining product on-field can be paired with the assurance that the long-term future is secure with guarantees that the product can be enjoyed for many years to come.