Is England’s County Championship Losing Its Relevance?

Technically, we can’t call it the England County Championship thanks to the sponsorship from pensions insurance specialist Rothesay, who became the lead sponsor for the championship in 2024 and demanded a name change. And rightly so; their money is probably the only thing keeping the competition going.

When you think about it, it’s sad. The formerly known England County Championship is the only domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales since its humble beginnings in 1890. For some of you reading, it’s nostalgic.

Still, nobody can deny it’s on the outs. Read on to find out why.

Fewer Matches and Less Interest

The County Championship has been quietly shrinking before our eyes. Fourteen games a season used to feel manageable, if not a bit lean already.

Now, the ECB is floating the idea of cutting it down to twelve. For a competition that’s already shoved into the soggy edges of April and September, fewer fixtures only means fewer chances to care.

We’re being told it’s about “player welfare” and “calendar optimisation”. Maybe. Or maybe it’s just easier to shift the red-ball stuff out of the way so The Hundred can spread its pastel-coloured wings across the summer. Because that’s where the money is. That’s where the eyes are. And nobody seems to have the guts to admit it straight.

Ask yourself—when was the last time you heard someone say they spent their weekend down at the county ground watching day three of Durham vs. Leicestershire? People are more interested in the best cricket betting sites to bet on for IPL than they ever will be for the County Championship.

Constant Reviews

Another year, another review. This latest one—led by the Professional Game Committee—is the third in seven years. Think about that. When a thing keeps needing this many reviews, it’s usually because nobody knows what to do with it.

The last big review, the one Andrew Strauss chaired, was bold. Too bold, apparently. Counties shut it down before it even got off the runway. This time, it’s being pitched as a “collaboration effort”. Which is PR-speak for “we’ll try not to tick everyone off at once”.

But you’ve got to wonder what all this reviewing is actually for. Are they going to fix the scheduling mess? Will Worcestershire stop having to train in a school gym down the road? Will we finally have a list? A competition that doesn’t feel like a consolation prize for missing The Hundred? Doubtful.

The Shift Toward White Ball Cricket

This is where it really starts to sting. The rise of white-ball cricket—T20s, The Hundred, and franchise leagues from Abu Dhabi to Texas—has changed the game entirely. Players are ditching four-day cricket for six weeks of fireworks and quick cash. And who can blame them?

Red-ball cricket is slower. It’s harder. It’s played in front of smaller crowds and brings in less money. The ECB loves to say the Championship is “the best red-ball competition in the world”. But that’s like calling your granny’s Victoria Sponge the best cake in Britain. It might be true, but it’s not winning Bake Off any time soon.

Franchise cricket is here to stay. It’s pulling in top English talent and global stars. And as long as that’s happening, the County Championship gets left holding the bill. The Hundred, in particular, has swallowed up money, attention, and airtime. And with the recent sale of franchise stakes bringing in £520 million, you can bet the ECB isn’t turning back.

Counties without a hundred sides are the ones really losing out.

The County Championship isn’t dead. Not yet. But it’s limping.

There’s still magic there—loyal fans, historic rivalries, and the odd sunny afternoon when everything clicks. If the counties want to survive, if the red-ball game wants to remain more than a footnote, then now’s the time to act.