This is a reminder that the 2026 Payment of Players declaration goes live on the 1 March 2026 and is open until 30 June 2026. The declaration covers the period of 1 June 2025 – 31 May 2026.
Further information will be provided to club officials regarding completing the declaration and what is specifically required at the declaration goes live.
The entire process will be completed within GMS and requires the
two (a change to the 2025 declaration) nominated club officers
to be able to log into GMS and approve the declaration. It is therefore important that each authorising club official has the most up to date email address listed against their account in GMS before starting the process.
Regulation 7 (Payment of Players) can be found in full here
A list of FAQs has been produced and can be found here.
A guide on how to submit and authorise the declaration within GMS
can be found here
This is mandatory for clubs whose men’s first XV team play at National League Level 1 to Regional Level 2 wishing to remain eligible for RFU benefits.
For clubs whose men’s first XV team play at Counties 1 and below the declaration is ONLY REQUIRED to be submitted if the club provides Material Benefits (payments as defined in Regulation 1) to players and/or engages a PAID player coach
