2017 CRL Season

The 2016 season will be the 6th season of the CRL and the 2nd under the new expanded format. The Chelsea Crusaders and the Neath Huskies were promoted from the Celtic 2. A new trophy will be contested this season between the 9-12 regular season finishers.

Teams
The Chelsea Crusaders and the Neath Huskies join the league from the Celtic 2.

Fixtures
The 20 CRL teams will compete over 14 weeks to decide which teams qualify for the playoffs. After week 14 the top eight teams will compete for the Raeburn Cup. The 9th through 12th place finishers will compete for the new Virgin Atlantic Cup.

Relegation
The Liverpool Leviathan and Cardiff Arrows were relegated after finishing in the final two spots in the Great Britain Division. The Leicester Bulldogs and Newport Spartans were promoted form the Celtic 2.