White Rose Trophy returns in 2026 (twice)

The White Rose Trophy – the knockout competition to decide the top Premier League club in Yorkshire – returns (twice) in 2026.

Unlike previous editions that saw the four winners in the NYSD, Bradford Premier, YCSPL and Yorkshire Premier League North play semis and finals in September (based on who won the Premier Division that season), there’s been some adjustments.

That’s partly because there are now five ECB Premier Leagues in Yorkshire with the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League the latest to win accreditation (for last season).

The last White Rose Trophy final was held at Castleford in 2024 and won by Richmondshire who defeated New Farnley. (My photo is of Richmondshire allrounder Shafiqullah Ghafari holding the cup).

Two competitions in a season

The 2025 competition will be played across this season and then the 2026 White Rose Trophy will happen at the end of September after the regular leagues have concluded.

The headline news is that there is a return to Headingley for this premier club cricket competition for the September showpiece. As before, it will have semis over the weekend with Yorkshire County Cricket Club hosting the final at the end of the month (dates tbc).

Meanwhile, Round 1 fixtures of the 2025 contest are expected to be completed by June.

Hoylandswaine (inaugural entrants from 2025) and Richmondshire (2024 champions) are joined by New Farnley (2025 Bradford Premier League winners), Barnard Castle (NYSD), Castleford (YPL North), Cleethorpes (YCSPL).

2025 White Rose Trophy Draw

Fixture dates are to follow but this is the draw (host clubs first):

Round 1

🏏 Barnard Castle vs Hoylandswaine
📆 Cleethorpes vs Richmondshire

Semi-finals

🎯 New Farnley vs Barnard Castle or Hoylandswaine
🚀 Castleford vs Cleethorpes or Richmondshire

At this stage, the venue for the 2025 final has not been announced. It has been hosted by Castleford (2024) and New Farnley (2023) in the last two editions. However, it’s expected to be held in mid-August to fit in the second competition hot on its heels.

So, there you go. A return to Headingley (for the second final of the summer). There’s also an intriguing prospect of one club potentially winning the White Rose Trophy twice in a single season.