Most of the league's divisional make-up for 2026 was confirmed by the league committee at its meeting last night (Nov 17).
Because of the vacancy this year in D1, there is more promotion than relegation between D2-D6 generally, with all champions and runners-up going up, and all bottom teams going down.
Additionally, third place in D3 (Sentinel 2), D4 (Newport 2) and D6 (Welshpool 2) are all promoted.
The exception is Bishop's Castle (3rd in D5) who requested to remain in the section in order to increase the liklihood of retaining players after what they described as a shaky second half to the 2025 season.
Bomere Heath 2 (11th in D4) stay up as a consequence, but the other second-bottom teams are all relegated – Albrighton (from D2), Church Stretton (from D3), and Much Wenlock (from D5).
The composition of D6, D7, and D8 has not yet been finalised owing to a couple of complications, but normal promotion & relegation will not be affected. Quatt 3 (D7 champions) and Whittington will be playing D6 cricket.
The burgeoning membership of the Sunday divisions sees its biggest annual increase to date. Wellington 6, Wroxeter 3, Willey 4, Shelton 4 and Allscott Heath 4 have all been accepted into membership, which brings the total number of sides up to 36.
In order not to over-burden the lower sections, a new 10-team S4 division has been introduced, and the new sides will join this along with the bottom half of of this year's S3.
S1 is clearly a very competitive division and consequently has been cut to the teams that finished 1-8, with all sides playing each other three times.
S2 also comprises eight teams playing 21 games, and S3 like S4 has ten teams playing each other H & A for a total of 18 games.
All Sunday divisions will have a blank date on August BH, while S3 & S4 will also miss the Whitsun BH and the first & last of the main weekends.
