Counties 2 Hampshire (formerly Hampshire Premier) is an English level 8 Rugby Union league for teams based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up until the 2017âÂÂ18 season it was known as Hampshire 1 but was changed to Hampshire Premier due to restructuring of the Hampshire leagues, which would see the re-introduction of a third division as well as 2nd and 3rd XV sides joining for the first time. Following the RFU's Adult Competition Review, from season 2022âÂÂ23 it adopted its current name Counties 2 Hampshire.
Each year some of the clubs in this division also take part in the RFU Junior Vase - a level 9-12 national competition.
Promoted teams move up to Counties 1 Hampshire. Relegated teams drop down to Counties 3 Hampshire.
The points system is as follows.
No team can get more than 5 points in a match. Points awarded are the same regardless of outcome at home or away. The new point system has been in effect since 2010âÂÂ11 season.
Departing were Millbrook and Winchester II promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire as champions and runners-up respectively, while Isle of Wight were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire. Locksheath Pumas (9th in 2024-25) did not return for the new season and instead joined the Hampshire Premiership SE merit league.
Departing were Guernsey Vikings, Sandown & Shanklin and Basingstoke, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Tottonians II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.
Joining were Havant III, Isle Of Wight, Fareham Heathans, all promoted, and Petersfield II.
Departing were Ellingham & Ringwood, Bognor and New Milton & District, all promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Alresford and Eastleigh II were relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.
Joining were Guernsey Vikings, Locksheath Pumas and Winchester II, all promoted, and Basingstoke, relegated. Alton finished 11th in Counties 1 Hampshire the previous season and would also have been relegated too but declined to compete in the RFU leagues in 2023-24.
This was the first season following the RFU Adult Competition Review with the league adopting its new name of Counties 2 Hampshire.
Departing were Havant II and Gosport & Fareham both promoted to Counties 1 Hampshire. Also leaving were Locksheath Pumas, relegated to Counties 3 Hampshire.
Joining were United Services Portsmouth and Tottonians 2XV.
The teams competing in 2021âÂÂ22 achieved their places in the league based on performances in 2019-20, the 'previous season' column in the table below refers to that season not 2020âÂÂ21.
On 30 October the RFU announced that a decision had been taken to cancel Adult Competitive Leagues (National League 1 and below) for the 2020/21 season meaning Hampshire Premier was not contested.
Fareham and Petersfield promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Solent Uni promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Andover promoted to London South West 3 at the end of the season.
Southampton and Overton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Southampton promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
New Milton & District promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Aldershot & Fleet and Petersfield demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Southsea Nomads promoted into Hampshire 1 at the start of the season from Hampshire 2.
Lytchett Minster transferred to Dorset and Wilts Regional Leagues at the end of the season.
Eastleigh promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Southsea Nomads and Ventnor demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Andover promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Fareham Heathens and Southampton demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
Alton promoted to London 3 South West at the end of the season.
Aldershot & Fleet demoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of the season.
When league rugby began in 1987 this division (known as Hampshire 1) contained the following teams:
Originally known as Hampshire 1, it was tier 8 league with promotion up to London 3 South West and relegation down to Hampshire 2.
The creation of National 5 South meant that Hampshire 1 dropped from a tier 8 league to a tier 9 league for the years that National 5 South was active. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995âÂÂ96 season meant that Hampshire 1 reverted to being a tier 8 league. Promotion and relegation continued to London 3 South West and Hampshire 2 respectively.
The introduction of London 4 South West ahead of the 2000âÂÂ01 season meant Hampshire 1 dropped to become a tier 9 league with promotion to this new division. Relegation continued to Hampshire 1.
Hampshire 1 remained a tier 9 league despite national restructuring by the RFU. Promotion was to London 3 South West (formerly London 4 South West) and relegation to Hampshire 2.
Restructuring of the Hampshire leagues saw Hampshire 1 renamed as Hampshire Premier. It remained a tier 9 league with promotion to London 3 South West and relegation to the new Hampshire 1 (formerly Hampshire 2).
Since the 2000âÂÂ01 season there has been a play-off between the runners-up of Hampshire Premier and Surrey 1 for the third and final promotion place to London 3 South West. The team with the superior league record has home advantage in the tie. At the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season the Surrey 1 teams have been the most successful with twelve wins to the Hampshire Premier teams seven; and the home team has won promotion on eleven occasions compared to the away teams eight.