Prem Rugby will shift its play‑off semi‑finals to a neutral venue from the 2029‑30 season, ending the home‑advantage system that has existed since 2005. League chief Simon Massie‑Taylor says the change aims to pack larger stadia and generate more revenue. Cities such as Liverpool and Brighton are already under consideration for the 2029‑30 campaign.

The 2023‑24 semi‑finals at Franklin’s Gardens and the Rec sold out, but each holds only about 15,000 spectators. Massie‑Taylor points to France’s Top 14 semi‑finals at the Stade Velodrome, a 67,000‑seat arena, as a model for scaling the English product. Clubs currently earn between £600,000‑£750,000 per home semi‑final, so any neutral‑site plan must deliver substantially higher returns and fan experience.

Supporters and insiders are split; some welcome a destination weekend that could attract fans from across the country, while others worry the loss of home advantage will dull the race for top‑two finishes. The league may need to reward the highest‑placed teams with prize money or a larger gate share to preserve competitive integrity. The proposal now moves toward detailed financial modelling before final approval by the RFU board.