A few years ago GSI was asked by a client at the time to conduct research into the sport of rugby union with the aim of developing the blueprint for a theoretical global calendar. At the time, the sport was having trouble maximising its potential due to the disparate influences being exerted on it as well as a number of other factors.
Recent discussion surrounding South Africa’s potential involvement in future 6 Nations tournaments as well as the ongoing situation regarding promotion/relegation in England has once again led to significant levels of commentary on the issue of the global calendar.
Therefore, with our client’s permission, we have uploaded an updated summary-version of the initial report for interested parties to read. We continue to believe that the solutions contained within the report satisfy many of the ongoing concerns about rugby’s future, although due its very nature, it cannot and will not please all rugby fans.
The Global Rugby Calendar; 2023 and Beyond
The Executive Summary has been included below:
Executive Summary
• Jan-Feb (6 Nations) Mar-Sep (Club Competition) Oct-Dec (World Cup, Test Tours, Lions)
Aims of GSI’s Proposed Global Rugby Calendar
• Secure the long-term financial stability of professional rugby union including international sides and clubs after the World Cup in France in 2023
• Follow an NFL-style policy of less is more. Less games, but more games that matter to create more drama and therefore fill stadiums and increase worldwide audiences
• Maintain the sport’s popularity in existing territories whilst advancing its growth in new markets
• Make the global club tournament the only truly worldwide competition of its kind
• Maintain a northern hemisphere preference for relegation/promotion and a southern hemisphere requirement for ‘ring-fencing’
• Simplify rugby union tournaments for new and existing fans; clubs and international competitions to be conducted in blocks throughout the calendar year with no overlap
• Reduce the number of games played by top level athletes to improve player welfare
• Reduce the size of club squads to help reduce wages and bring down salary caps
• Stem the tide of player drain from less wealthy countries to more affluent territories by facilitating professional club rugby in those areas
• Grow the sport of rugby union in key geographic areas of North America and Asia
Recommended Changes to Club Rugby – The World Club Championship (WCC)
• A World Club Championship (WCC) to be created where the winners of the northern and southern hemisphere conferences play a showpiece final in Hong Kong every year
• The existing English Premiership, Super Rugby, Ultimate Rugby Championship (URC) and Top 14 competitions as well as the European Champions Cup, European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup to be withdrawn
• The Northern conference will be split into two divisions with a promotion/relegation system and will include the introduction of a United States based team
• The Southern conference will retain a one division system with no relegation/promotion
International Rugby
• Both the 6 Nations and Rugby Championship to develop into wider hemisphere competitions which are conducted in parallel with one another
• The existing 6 Nations (renamed 6 Nations North) to introduce a promotion/relegation system within a two division structure with the USA and Canada joining Division 2
• The Rugby Championship to expand to become a six team competition (called 6 Nations South), and like the 6 Nations, introduce a promotion/relegation system within a two division structure
• The World Cup and British and Irish Lions tour will remain the same in terms of format