The Rugby Football League have confirmed major changes to how player movement between clubs will work in the upcoming 2026 season, confirming that the dual registration system has been scrapped.
Dual registration was exactly what it says, a process where a player could be registered to two teams at once and easily interchange between the clubs.
The common practice was for Super League clubs to partner with a lower league side and freely allow that club to utilise their players, however, the RFL have now shelved that.
After consulting with the clubs, the RFL have introduced a one-week loan system instead that will allow players to be loaned to another club for seven days, play that weekend, and then return to their parent club.
One-week loans are capped at four players per week with the parent club receiving no salary cap deductions for that, however, one-month loans would result in a cap reduction. They would also feature a seven-day recall option.
RFL confirm new one-week loan system
A statement from the RFL confirmed the changes, emphasising that they will increase playing opportunities with clubs further encouraged to focus on the Reserve grade league.
The governing body announced: “The Rugby Football League can confirm the following changes to Dual Registration for the 2026 season following consultation with clubs.
“The concept, which allowed a player to be registered with two clubs simultaneously, will no longer be in place as part of changes to increase players’ opportunities of taking the field.
“This now means clubs are limited to just one partner and only allows four players per week to be used.
“Salary Cap Regulations do not permit any deductions for the parent club, however a switch to a one-month loan period with a seven-day recall option would reduce parent clubs’ Salary Cap levels.
“The new one-week loan system will ensure that players who join on a 7-day loan will feature that weekend, before being recalled by their parent club.
“The process will also ensure more focus on the Reserve grade league with clubs encouraged to utilise this system more throughout 2026 over Dual Registration.”
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