There’s been renewed discussion around the Top 14 salary cap, with French rugby authorities and clubs debating how the system should evolve over the next few years.
Where the Salary Cap Stands Now
For the 2025–26 season, the Top 14 salary cap is set at €10.7 million per club. This cap limits total player wages in an effort to control spending, promote financial stability, and maintain competitive balance across the league.
Clubs can receive additional salary cap credits when they have players involved in international rugby, which means some teams effectively operate slightly above the headline figure.
Proposed Direction Going Forward
League discussions point toward a gradual increase in the salary cap, with the aim of returning to pre-Covid spending levels by around 2029. Rather than a sudden jump, the plan being discussed is a step-by-step rise over several seasons, allowing clubs to adjust budgets in a controlled way.
The target being mentioned would see the cap move closer to €11 million, while also revisiting how international player credits are applied so that the system is seen as fairer across all clubs.
Stronger Enforcement
Another major change being emphasized is tighter enforcement of the salary cap rules. Beyond financial penalties, clubs that exceed the cap may now face sporting sanctions, including points deductions. This reflects a tougher stance designed to ensure the cap is taken seriously and applied consistently.
Why This Matters
The debate highlights several competing pressures:
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Clubs want more flexibility to manage rising costs and retain top players
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The league wants to avoid financial imbalance and unsustainable spending
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Fans want fair competition without widening gaps between wealthy and smaller clubs
A return to pre-Covid cap levels is seen by some as necessary to account for inflation and market realities, while others fear it could tilt the league further toward the richest teams.
Key Takeaways
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Current Top 14 salary cap: €10.7 million
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Discussions underway to gradually increase the cap by 2029
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International player credits remain a key point of debate
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Enforcement is becoming stricter, with sporting penalties now on the table
Final Thoughts
The Top 14 salary cap isn’t being scrapped or dramatically overhauled, but it is clearly entering a new phase. The coming seasons will be about finding the balance between financial realism, competitive integrity, and the long-term health of French rugby.
This is likely to remain a major talking point as clubs, players, and league officials negotiate what the Top 14 should look like heading toward the end of the decade.
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