The playing calendar provides a model which supports inclusivity of all players, guards against overplaying and underplaying and limits conflict between club and school/college rugby maintaining choice for players to play with their peer groups. It also supports dialogue between clubs and schools/colleges at a local and county level in the interests of the player.

This calendar ensures that national competition and representative rugby is delivered across the country at a consistent time. It enables key county and regional age grade stakeholders to arrange, balance and publish their local activities in advance of the season. All national competitions and player pathway/representative rugby must be played in the defined weeks of the national calendar and cannot be moved. The Age Grade Playing Calendar is part of the age grade rugby regulations of the game (Regulation 15).

 

Clubs and schools/colleges can play friendly or block fixtures at any time within the season, armed with the knowledge of when players have other rugby and non-rugby commitments.

To ensure a balanced playing programme based on the needs and motivations of the young player the following annual process is observed:

  • National competition dates and windows added and released
    CBs, CSUs and Academies/Centres of Excellence/RPPGs work together to add local competition/programme
  • Calendar is approved by CB Executives; then is released to clubs, schools/colleges and the wider game locally; and published on CB websites
  • Local clubs, schools, academy, parents and players agree appropriate playing and training programme through early collaborative dialogue.

View the playing calendar for the 2025/26 season here 2526 Age Grade Rugby Playing Calendar 2025-26 – Final