Insight|County|1 min read
County Championship retains 2026 format after 13-game proposal rejected
County Championship keeps its 14-match format after counties reject ECB's 13-game proposal. Vitality Blast reduces group stage to 12 matches.
CricHubb3h ago
The Rothesay County Championship stays at 14 matches for 2026 after counties voted down the ECB's 13-game plan. The two-division structure and points system that have run since 2017 remain untouched. The ECB floated the shorter format as a cost-saving move, but a majority said no at last week's meeting. In exchange, the Vitality Blast cuts its group stage from 14 matches to 12, trimming two fixtures from every side. Those changes begin in 2026.
CricHubb Take
With the Blast now shorter, the counties have effectively told the ECB they want their longest format protected even if it costs more to run.
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