Kendal Rugby Union Football Club supporters face a longer wait to see the first 2026/27 home league match at Mint Bridge, with the opening fixture now scheduled for Saturday 3 October.
The Rugby Football Union changed the start of competitive Community Rugby because of hard ground and drought conditions. Kendal’s original home meeting with Leek was rearranged, while the club’s planned away fixture at Wharfedale on Saturday 22 August was cancelled.
Revised Kendal fixtures
The currently published early-season schedule includes a Friday evening match at Mint Bridge before the delayed league campaign begins. Kendal supporters have been advised to check for updates as the RFU’s arrangements develop, with the club saying relevant fixtures will be published once confirmed.
- North Ribblesdale at Mint Bridge — Friday 28 August, 7.15pm
- Kendal at Keswick in the Cumbria Cup — 5 September
- Kendal at Stockport — Saturday 26 September
- Macclesfield at Mint Bridge — Saturday 3 October
- Leek at Mint Bridge — Saturday 10 October
Kendal is due to travel to Rochdale on 19 December, with another Rochdale fixture listed at Mint Bridge on 10 April.
Why the league start was pushed back
The RFU’s approach was intended to prevent clubs with access to 3G training pitches gaining an advantage over teams playing on difficult natural surfaces. As a result, Kendal’s home league campaign has been held back while playing conditions are addressed.
The final make-up of Kendal’s division remained unsettled. Macclesfield, who finished third in National League 2 North, were initially reallocated to National League 2 West. Kendal said that would have created lengthy journeys, while proposals to place Macclesfield and Lymm in an expanded 16-team North League did not secure agreement.
Macclesfield later returned to regional rugby and were included in Regional 1 North West. Loughborough Students replaced them in National Two West, while Burton moved from Regional 1 North West to Regional 1 Midlands.
Kendal assessed Macclesfield as a possible league favourite or top-three play-off contender, although that view remained provisional while the RFU finalised the division. Further changes involving Dronfield and Sandal were expected but had not been confirmed.
The Dronfield fixture listed for 7 November appeared to have been switched to an away match, with another home meeting scheduled for 20 February. Kendal suggested this might be linked to the Kendal Fireworks event at Mint Bridge, but made clear that this was only a guess.
Coaching team stays in place
The coaching team remains unchanged after guiding Kendal’s first team to seventh last season. Dan Bowman continues as head coach, supported by Chris Park, Ian Voortman and Reece Tomlinson.
Alex Ryder is leaving for newly promoted Vale of Lune. Although he did not play for Kendal’s First XV last season, he was described as an important member of the title-winning Second XV. Ryder made his debut against Glossop in December 2021, went on to make 69 appearances and scored three tries.
Former Kendal player Tadhg Butler is also joining Vale of Lune. Butler made 26 appearances and scored one try after debuting in the 2022 Cup match at Upper Eden, and later played for Ambleside.
Promotion and relegation results have also shaped the likely division. Harrogate beat Anselmians 41-40 and Rossendale 21-14 to return to the National Leagues. Vale of Lune beat Manchester 16-13, while York defeated Pocklington 25-21.
