Fylde RFC fixtures released after national debate and delay
Fylde kick-off at Billingham before home derby
Fylde RFC's fixtures for 2026/27 have been released after much debate within the National League.
It needed a meeting of all the clubs in the English game's fourth tier last week to resolve the issues, resulting in Macclesfield withdrawing.
The delayed fixtures were released on Wednesday, with Fylde playing five new teams in National Two North. They are relegated Sedgley Park, Chester (who switch from N2West) and three promoted from the regional leagues: champions Huddersfield and Heath (from Halifax) and play-off winners Harrogate.
They replace promoted N2N champions Sheffield and the relegated Rossendale, Hull and Scunthorpe, as well as Macclesfield.
The fixture list follows the usual format, with the second half of Fylde's season mostly a repeat of the first with teams played in the same order.
The derbies against Preston Grasshoppers will again be the second game of the season and the last before Christmas.
Hoppers will be the first visitors to the Woodands after Fylde's opening-day trip to Billingham, who they don't face again until the final day.
After playing through September, all teams get a Saturday off each month and a three-week break for Christmas.
The dispute concerned the National League's requirement for two northern clubs to play in N2West (and so play matches in Devon and Cornwall) in order to balance out the three divisions at National Two level. Macclesfield refused and so have dropped into the regional leagues. The RFU is to review this structure ahead of 2027/28.
FYLDE RFC FIXTURES 2026/27
SEPTEMBER
5 Billingham A
12 Preston G H
19 Hull Ionians A
26 Sheffield Tigers H
OCTOBER
3 Darlington MP A
10 Tynedale H
17 Huddersfield A
31 Heath H
NOVEMBER
7 Sedgley Park A
14 Harrogate A
21 Wharfedale H
DECEMBER
5 Chester A
12 Otley H
19 Preston G A
JANUARY
9 Hull Ionians H
16 Sheffield Tigers A
23 Darlington MP H
FEBRUARY
6 Tynedale A
13 Huddersfield H
20 Heath A
MARCH
6 Sedgley Park H
13 Harrogate H
20 Wharfedale A
APRIL
3 Chester H
10 Otley A
17 Billingham H