Updated SCoC for the Premier League 2026 are available here
In addition to the 16 teams in Division 1 and 2, 12 additional teams have entered therefore Division 3 will again be run as a 12 team division.
Division 3 will play a single Round Robin of 11 x 16 Board matches covering the 1st weekend and the Saturday of the 2nd weekend before being split into Division 3A and 3B to play a double round robin of 10 x 16 Board matches over the Sunday of the 2nd weekend and the 3rd weekend.
This format (comprising 21 rounds in total) removes the need to play an extra round on the Sunday of the 1st weekend (as was the case in 2025) and aims to reduce the chances that during the 3rd weekend the promotion positions will be heavily influenced by the results against out of contention teams.
Continuing teams in positions 3-6 in Division 3A and positions 1-2 in Division 3B will be entitled to remain in Division 3 next year if there are sufficient entries for a 4th Division.
Other key changes to the SCoC include:
- Increased Green Point awards for matches won in all Divisions to make the Premier League more in line relative to other events
- Changes to allow teams of up to 10 players in Division 3
- A rewrite of section 6 on Composition of future divisions and team continuity to make it clearer and easier to read but without changing the existing rules (except in relation to teams with more than 6 players)
- Re-inclusion of junior squad teams
The General Conditions of Contest for Trials have also been updated
September 7, 2026