What Is the Difference Between Division 1 and 2 in County Cricket?

The County Championship is the backbone of red-ball cricket in England and Wales. It has been running in one form or another since 1890, making it the oldest first-class competition in the world. Today, it operates under a two-division system that splits the 18 first-class counties into two separate leagues: Division One and Division Two.

This structure was introduced at the turn of the 21st century to keep the competition competitive, fresh, and more relevant for both players and fans. The reasoning is simple: with promotion and relegation at stake, teams are pushed to perform at their best across the season. Division One brings together the strongest clubs, while Division Two gives others a chance to fight their way into the top tier.

Understanding the difference between Division 1 and Division 2 is not only about who plays where, but also about the culture, the finances, and the opportunities that come with being in each division. For players, it can define careers; for clubs, it can shape their long-term futures.

Current Structure: How Many Teams & Fixture Set-Up

As of the 2025 season, Division One features ten counties while Division Two has eight. This split has been in place since 2020, after some temporary adjustments during the COVID-19 years.

Each team usually plays 14 four-day matches per season, typically running from April to late September. In Division One, this means every team faces most opponents twice (home and away) but may also rotate fixtures based on the schedule. Division Two follows a similar structure, although the number of teams is slightly smaller.

The matches are scheduled in “blocks” across the summer, alternating with white-ball competitions like the T20 Blast and The Hundred. The calendar is often debated — many argue that Championship matches get pushed to the colder edges of the season, which can make conditions tough, especially in Division Two where pitches and resources are sometimes less consistent.

Despite those debates, the structure ensures that counties in both divisions play enough red-ball cricket to develop and test players, while maintaining an incentive to fight for promotion or avoid relegation.

Points & Bonus System: How Outcomes Are Rewarded

The points system is identical across both divisions, which keeps things transparent and competitive.

• Outright win: 16 points

• Draw or tie: 8 points

• Loss: No base points

In addition, teams can collect bonus points during the first 110 overs of their first innings. These are split into batting and bowling categories:

• Batting bonus points: awarded for reaching certain run thresholds (e.g., 200, 250, 300, 350, 400).

• Bowling bonus points: awarded for wickets taken (e.g., 3, 6, 9 wickets).

This system means that even in a drawn game, counties can come away with valuable points. It also encourages attacking cricket early in matches, as clubs seek to maximise their haul within that 110-over window.

The fact that both divisions use the same points structure is significant. It ensures that when teams are promoted or relegated, they don’t have to adapt to new rules; the only adjustment is the quality of opposition.

Promotion and Relegation: Movement Between Divisions

At the end of each County Championship season, the bottom two teams from Division One are relegated to Division Two, and the top two teams from Division Two are promoted.

This system has major implications. For counties that secure promotion, there is increased exposure, higher-profile fixtures, and often a boost in sponsorships or ticket sales. For those relegated, there is a risk of declining income and reduced player morale. Recruitment is also affected — international or marquee domestic players are more likely to sign for Division One clubs where the standard of cricket is consistently higher.

For players, promotion means the chance to test themselves against the very best, while relegation can mean fewer opportunities for England selection, as national selectors tend to watch Division One more closely.

The two-tier system therefore maintains intensity across both leagues, as every team has something significant to play for.

Quality Gap: Standards, Performance & Pressure

The most obvious difference between Division One and Division Two is the standard of cricket. Division One teams typically feature deeper squads, stronger overseas signings, and more established internationals. The games are often harder fought, and mistakes are punished more ruthlessly.

In Division Two, the cricket can still be of high quality, but the depth isn’t always the same. Teams in Division Two may rely heavily on one or two standout players, whereas Division One sides usually have multiple match-winners.

The pressure also differs. In Division One, the fight is often about avoiding relegation, which can create tense, nervy contests late in the season. In Division Two, the motivation is more aspirational — pushing for promotion and dreaming of playing in the top tier.

This distinction shapes how counties plan their seasons. Division One clubs need consistent results just to stay afloat, while Division Two clubs may gamble more, seeking the big wins that secure promotion.

Financial & Resource Differences

Money talks, and in county cricket, it makes a noticeable difference. Division One clubs generally attract bigger crowds, larger sponsorship deals, and more media coverage. A Surrey–Lancashire fixture at The Oval will draw more attention than a Division Two match in front of a couple of thousand fans.

With that extra revenue comes the ability to fund larger coaching staffs, more advanced sports science support, and stronger academies. This creates a cycle: the richer counties not only stay strong but also develop more young talent, which keeps them competitive year after year.

Division Two counties often operate with tighter budgets. Travel costs, player wages, and maintaining grounds can stretch finances. Some clubs have to rely more heavily on community programmes, smaller memberships, and state-school recruitment to keep pipelines flowing.

That said, success stories do emerge. Counties like Essex and Warwickshire have proven that smart recruitment and strong local development can help “smaller” clubs punch above their weight.

Division One vs Division Two: Key Differences

Examples from Recent Seasons

The contrast between the two divisions is best illustrated by looking at recent seasons.

• 2024 season: Surrey were dominant in Division One, clinching a third consecutive title. At the other end, relegation battles involved counties like Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire. In Division Two, Glamorgan and Leicestershire sealed promotion after strong campaigns, showing how quickly fortunes can shift.

• 2025 season (ongoing): Division One has again been highly competitive, with Nottinghamshire climbing to the top after beating Surrey at The Oval. Meanwhile, Glamorgan and Leicestershire confirmed their rise by proving they could handle Division Two pressure. The title race remains alive as restructuring debates loom over the competition’s long-term shape.

These examples highlight how being in Division One often requires consistent excellence, while Division Two is about resilience and seizing limited chances to climb up.

Proposed Changes & Debates Around Divisional Differences

In 2025, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held discussions about reshaping the Championship. One proposal was to change the current 10/8 split into a 12-team Division One, split into two pools of six, with a six-team Division Two. This would reduce the number of fixtures per team while maintaining competitive balance.

The idea sparked debate. Supporters argued it would help reduce player workload and avoid fixture congestion, especially with international cricket and franchise leagues competing for attention. Critics, however, felt it would dilute the prestige of Division One, potentially leading to fewer high-quality red-ball games.

As of late 2025, no decision has been finalised. The vote was delayed until after the Championship season, and it will require the backing of at least 12 of the 18 counties to pass.

This ongoing debate shows how structural differences between the divisions remain a live issue, not just for clubs but for players, coaches, and fans.

What It Means for Players & Fans

For players, the division they play in can shape their careers. Perform well in Division One, and England selectors are far more likely to notice. Perform in Division Two, and while the effort is valued, it may not carry the same weight. That added layer of scrutiny makes Division One cricket a high-pressure environment but also the perfect preparation for international cricket.

For fans, the system creates natural drama. Promotion battles in Division Two and relegation fights in Division One often produce nail-biting finishes to the season. Traditional rivalries gain extra spice when the stakes are so high. The system keeps all 18 counties invested, making every game meaningful.

Conclusion: Division Differences and What the Future Holds

The difference between Division 1 and Division 2 in the County Championship is about much more than just who plays where. It’s about resources, standards, opportunities, and legacies. Division One clubs fight to stay in the elite circle, while Division Two sides battle for the chance to climb into it.

With debates ongoing about potential restructuring, the system may evolve, but its essence will remain: keeping English county cricket competitive and meaningful. For players, it’s the stage on which careers are made; for fans, it’s the theatre where local pride meets national ambition.