26 fixtures announced – new faces, fresh challenges await the 1st XV

The wait is over – the 2025/26 men’s 1st XV fixtures have been confirmed, and there’s plenty to look forward to as we gear up for another National 2 East campaign.

This season sees two new sides entering the league following promotion from Regional One:

• London Welsh, a famous name with rich rugby heritage, return to the national leagues with momentum.

• Oundle RFC, based in Peterborough, also make the step up and will be an exciting new test for our squad.

They replace Colchester and Worthing, who drop down following relegation.

Also back in the mix are Esher, returning to National 2 East after relegation from National One. They’ll be looking to bounce back quickly and add further quality to what’s already shaping up to be a competitive league.

With new opposition, familiar foes, and the Black & Amber faithful behind us, 2025/26 promises another season full of passion, purpose, and pride.

Matt Corker, Head Coach shares:

The players are all working hard in the gym, and with the release of the fixtures, we now have our first game to focus on — and what a fixture it is. Barnes away has always been a tough challenge, and it will provide a great test for us at the end of preseason, kicking off what promises to be an exciting first month. Having our two biggest local derbies as our first two home games means that September at the Marine Travel Ground is set to be one to remember.

The squad will spend two more weeks focused on gym work before returning to the pitch in the final week of June. Everyone is eager to get back out there and start building on the momentum we created at the end of last season.

We know exactly what this group is capable of, and we’ll be using every session this preseason to prepare thoroughly and push ourselves to the next level.

2025/26 National 2 East fixtures

Round 1 – 06 September 2025
Barnes v Canterbury – Away

Round 2 – 13 September 2025
Canterbury v Sevenoaks – Home

Round 3 – 20 September 2025
Henley v Canterbury – Away

Round 4 – 27 September 2025
Canterbury v Westcombe Park – Home

Round 5 – 04 October 2025
Dorking v Canterbury – Away

Round 6 – 11 October 2025
Canterbury v Havant – Home

Round 7 – 18 October 2025
Old Albanian v Canterbury – Away

Round 8 – 25 October 2025
Canterbury v Bury St Edmunds – Home

Round 9 – 08 November 2025
Oundle v Canterbury – Away

Round 10 – 15 November 2025
Canterbury v London Welsh – Home

Round 11 – 22 November 2025
Oxford Harlequins v Canterbury – Away

Round 12 – 06 December 2025
Canterbury v Guernsey – Home

Round 13 – 13 December 2025
Esher v Canterbury – Away

Round 14 – 20 December 2025
Sevenoaks v Canterbury – Away

Round 15 – 10 January 2026
Canterbury v Henley – Home

Round 16 – 17 January 2026
Westcombe Park v Canterbury – Away

Round 17 – 24 January 2026
Canterbury v Dorking – Home

Round 18 – 31 January 2026
Havant v Canterbury – Away

Round 19 – 14 February 2026
Canterbury v Old Albanian – Home

Round 20 – 21 February 2026
Bury St Edmunds v Canterbury – Away

Round 21 – 28 February 2026
Canterbury v Oundle – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026
London Welsh v Canterbury – Away

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins – Home

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury – Away

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher – Home

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026

London Welsh v Canterbury

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes

It’s shaping up to be another blockbuster season of Black & Amber rugby. Fixture posters and key dates will be available soon to download or collect from the club.

Get the scarf, bring the noise, and mark your calendars – we’ll see you on the touchline!

#GetBehindUs