North Wales Crusaders will play rugby league in the Championship in 2027 with the club and the sport’s governing body confirming the good news.

It’s been a battle in recent weeks over whether the sport’s only semi-professional side in Wales would be granted a licence for the 2027 season having changed ownership earlier in the 2026 campaign.

Owner Jamie Elkaleh has been petitioning for the Crusaders to be admitted to the Championship and granted a licence, however, the Rugby Football League (RFL) insisted that an escrow to prove their financial viability be provided.

After back and forth, it’s now confirmed that North Wales will play on in 2027, with the Crusaders and the RFL both announcing the news.

Sharing a video on the North Wales Crusaders social media, Elkaleh said: “It is my absolute delight to inform you that rugby league is going to continue in the North of Wales and that North Wales Crusaders have successfully obtained our licence for the upcoming season.

“A massive, massive thank you to all our fans, our board, our sponsors, and of course, Ian Nolan at the RFL for helping us get this across the line.

“Now, we can build and we can build with a purpose. There are some rules around it but the most important thing is that rugby league will continue in the North of Wales in 2027 and I cannot wait to welcome all fans from all the teams and have a drink with you in the marquee very, very soon.

“Thank you all again, congratulations to everybody and I will see you very, very soon.”

Rugby Football League confirm North Wales’ 2027 status

Shortly after that video went live, a statement from the RFL was also shared that confirmed the news, reading: “The Rugby Football League is delighted to announce North Wales Crusaders have secured a place in the Championship for 2027.”

They noted that Elkaleh has ‘revised his business plan and now satisfied all the governing body’s queries’, thus earning the Crusaders their licence for 2027.

RFL chief executive Ian Nolan said: “I’d like to thank Jamie for all his hard work and diligence in getting to this endgame that we all wanted – North Wales Crusaders participating in the Championship and helping our sport flourish.

“Although we had some queries about the financial aspect of their plan, they have gone away and returned with a far more robust proposal which, allied to the escrow we decided to put in place, has left everyone with the belief the club can press on with confidence.

“That is great news for North Wales Crusaders and us, as a sport, as we look forward to the new season.”

As Elkaleh mentioned, there were some rules around their licencing, and the RFL have confirmed that the club will play all their home games at Colwyn Bay, operate under a sustainability cap and submit monthly financial reports to the RFL.

2027 LEAGUE STATUS: CONFIRMED 🚨

Through every challenge, North Wales Crusaders are still here, still fighting, and proud to represent our region.

All 2027 home games will be played in North Wales!

Now, we need YOU. Buy a ticket, bring a mate, sponsor, and spread the word. Words won’t secure our future, action will.
OUR REGION. OUR CLUB. OUR FUTURE. 🏉🔥
YMA O HYD! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

— Wales Crusaders (@WalesCrusaders) October 30, 2026

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