The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed its roadmap for the future of the men’s professional game, reaffirming plans to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three from the start of the 2028/29 season.
Under the proposed model, there will be one professional team based in the capital, one in east Wales and one in west Wales.
The WRU Board has confirmed that only the current professional teams will be eligible to apply for the new licences. Subject to agreement on the final licensing terms, Cardiff Rugby would be offered the capital licence, while Dragons RFC would receive the east Wales licence.
The future of the west Wales licence remains undecided, leaving uncertainty over whether Ospreys or Scarlets will be selected under the new structure.
A timeline has now been agreed for the licensing process, with work on the framework due to begin in December 2026. The licence award process is expected to conclude by the end of the 2026/27 season at the latest.
The announcement follows the introduction of the Professional Rugby Agreement 2025 (PRA25), which has seen all four professional teams move onto the same agreement with the WRU, providing stability until 2028.
During that period, the WRU will work with the existing professional clubs and other stakeholders to develop a sustainable funding model and licensing framework for the future of the professional game.
Following the autumn Nations Championship matches, the WRU will bring together leaders from all four professional teams and other stakeholders to help shape the future operating model.
The collaborative process aims to create a shared understanding of the financial and strategic challenges facing Welsh rugby, develop the licensing framework and determine whether each current professional club wishes to participate in the new model.
The process will continue throughout the first quarter of 2027, after which each existing professional club will be asked to confirm whether it intends to take up a licence under the new system.
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.”
