What Is the County Championship? Explained

The County Championship is the longest-running and most prestigious domestic competition in English cricket. Organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it serves as the premier first-class league and the proving ground for players with aspirations of wearing the England Test cap. First held officially in 1890, the Championship has become a fixture of the summer months, played from April to September.

The format is four-day cricket, with 18 first-class counties competing for honours. These include 17 based in England and one in Wales (Glamorgan). Matches are spread across historic venues such as Lord’s, The Oval, Headingley, and Edgbaston, grounds that have hosted some of the most memorable moments in the sport’s history.

The competition matters not only for its tradition but also for its influence. The Championship has long been the primary pathway for cricketers into the England Test side. Skills honed in the Championship—patience in batting, control in bowling, the ability to adapt to variable English conditions—have forged some of the game’s greatest names. Even in an age where white-ball cricket often dominates headlines, the County Championship remains the heartbeat of English red-ball cricket.

A Quick History: From 1890 to Today

Although inter-county cricket dates back centuries, the County Championship in its official form began in 1890. Eight counties—Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Yorkshire—formed the first official competition. The Championship grew steadily, with other counties joining over subsequent decades, reaching its current tally of 18 first-class counties by the early 20th century.

Certain counties have enjoyed dominant eras. Yorkshire established themselves as the giants of county cricket in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, amassing title after title. Surrey then enjoyed a golden decade in the 1950s, powered by the likes of Alec Bedser, winning seven consecutive Championships from 1952 to 1958—a record still unmatched.

The Championship has adapted to the times. From three-day matches in its early years, it shifted to four-day cricket in 1993. Sponsorship has also been part of its evolution, with various commercial backers giving their names to the competition. At present, it is officially known as the Rothesay County Championship.

Despite these changes, the essence of the Championship remains the same: a league table of the best counties competing across the summer, with the winner crowned as the red-ball champion of England and Wales.

How County Championship is Structured Now (2025)

As of the 2025 season, the County Championship is contested in two divisions. Division One features ten counties, while Division Two contains eight. Each team plays a mixture of home and away fixtures between April and September, with the Division One champion crowned the County Champion.

The structure ensures a competitive balance. Division One games are fiercely contested, as winning the title carries both prestige and the honour of being the best red-ball county in the country. Division Two provides a platform for ambitious clubs to earn promotion, with opportunities to rise into the top tier if they perform consistently.

Matches remain four days long, and each side plays a similar number of games to ensure fairness. The two-division system was first introduced in 2000 to sharpen competitiveness, ending the days when a single league table sometimes left counties adrift by mid-summer. With promotion and relegation at stake, every game matters, both at the top and bottom of the tables.

This structure also fits within a packed cricketing calendar. The Championship coexists with the T20 Blast, The Hundred, and international fixtures, but it retains a unique prestige as the most demanding red-ball competition below Test level.

Scoring & Bonus Points: How the Table Works

The County Championship points system is designed to reward both outright results and performance within matches.

• Win: 16 points

• Tie: 8 points

• Draw: 8 points

• Loss: 0 points

But the nuance comes with bonus points. These are available only in the first 110 overs of each team’s first innings:

• Batting bonus points: awarded for reaching run thresholds (for example, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400).

• Bowling bonus points: awarded for taking wickets within those overs (for example, 3 wickets, 6 wickets, 9 wickets).

The idea is to keep games competitive even when outright wins are unlikely. Teams can collect valuable points from strong first-innings performances, even in matches that end in draws due to weather or cautious play.

Bonus points often decide the destiny of the Championship. A team that wins fewer outright matches but consistently accumulates bonus points can outpace rivals. Captains and coaches therefore pay close attention to tactics in the opening innings, balancing aggression and security to maximise returns.

Promotion & Relegation

Since 2000, the Championship has operated a two-division structure with annual promotion and relegation, although there were temporary suspensions during the pandemic years.

Typically, the top two teams in Division Two are promoted to Division One for the following season, while the bottom two in Division One are relegated. This system keeps the competition vibrant. Division One clubs must fight hard to retain their place, while Division Two sides see real opportunity to advance.

Promotion brings increased prestige, greater exposure, and tougher competition, while relegation can be a serious setback. Yet many clubs have bounced back, using the experience to rebuild and return stronger.

Who’s Who: The 18 First-Class Counties

The Championship is contested by 18 first-class counties:

• Division One and Division Two participants (2025) include Surrey, Essex, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Kent, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, among others.

• Glamorgan, based in Cardiff, is the only Welsh county, representing Wales alongside English clubs.

Each county has its own storied ground:

• The Oval (Surrey), steeped in Test history.

• Headingley (Yorkshire), famous for drama in both county and international cricket.

• Old Trafford (Lancashire), home to rich rivalries.

• Edgbaston (Warwickshire), one of England’s great modern stadiums.

These venues are more than just pitches. They are hubs of regional cricket culture, hosting academy systems, producing England players, and sustaining the traditions of their counties.

Recent Champions & Records (What’s “Current”)

The County Championship has no shortage of records and modern milestones.

• Yorkshire remain the all-time leaders, with 33 outright titles (plus one shared), a testament to their long-standing dominance.

• Surrey, however, are the team of the modern era. They were crowned 2024 champions, completing a hat-trick of consecutive titles (2022, 2023, 2024).

The 2025 season remains finely poised. In the penultimate round, Nottinghamshire stunned Surrey at The Oval to take the lead at the top of Division One. With one round to go, the title race is alive, reflecting the fierce competitiveness of the league.

In Division Two, Glamorgan and Leicestershire have already sealed promotion, confirming their place in the top tier for 2026. Meanwhile, debates around restructuring the competition are being deliberately delayed until the title race is resolved, in order not to overshadow the contest.

Restructure on the Table: What Might Change

A major proposal for reform was tabled in September 2025. It suggested moving away from the current 10/8 split to a new structure:

• 12-team Division One, split into two pools of six.

• 6-team Division Two.

• A reduction in the number of fixtures, likely 12–13 per county instead of 14.

Supporters argue this would reduce player workloads, improve pitch quality, and keep competition tight. Critics counter that fewer red-ball games could harm development and diminish the Championship’s integrity.

The vote, which requires 12 of the 18 counties to pass, has been delayed until the end of the season to avoid disrupting the title climax. County opinions are divided, with larger clubs wary of losing home fixtures and revenue, while the players’ association has raised concerns about balance between red-ball and white-ball commitments.

Why County Championship Still Matters (Despite T20 & The Hundred)

Some might wonder why the County Championship remains relevant in an age dominated by T20 leagues and The Hundred. The answer lies in what it represents.

The Championship is the primary red-ball development ground for England’s Test team. Skills like batting for hours, bowling long spells, and adapting to seaming pitches are best learned in the four-day format.

The Championship also sustains a member-driven culture, with loyal county fans supporting their teams through thick and thin. Local rivalries, such as the Roses Match between Yorkshire and Lancashire, continue to capture imaginations.

Even as the cricket landscape evolves, the County Championship remains central to preserving the art of first-class cricket.

How to Follow the County Championship

Fans can keep up with the County Championship in several ways:

• Official ECB fixtures and tables, updated throughout the season.

• County club websites and social media, offering live blogs, commentary, and highlights.

• Streaming services and local coverage, with some counties offering live streams of matches.

For those who love the rhythm of red-ball cricket, following the Championship offers an immersive experience into the domestic game.

Comparison of Major First-Class Domestic Competitions

Conclusion: Tradition, Change, and the Next Title Race

The County Championship is not only the world’s oldest domestic first-class competition but also one of the most enduringly important. Founded in 1890, it has produced England’s finest cricketers, fostered county pride, and preserved the skills of long-format cricket.

Today, it operates in two divisions, with promotion, relegation, and a points system that rewards both outright wins and performances within matches. Surrey are the current champions, though the 2025 title race remains alive, while debates about restructuring the competition reflect the ongoing challenge of balancing tradition with modern demands.

Through all this, one truth remains constant: the County Championship is the bedrock of English red-ball cricket. It is where reputations are made, where the next generation of Test stars emerges, and where history continues to be written each summer.