The Midlands Rugby League , established in 2009, is a playing league which runs and administrates the Midlands Rugby League Merit League competition designed to encourage new teams to take up the game of Rugby League and to act as a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference.

In addition, the league also runs three junior leagues at Under 16, Under 14 and Under 12 level as well as festivals for Under 11s and Under 12s Girls

The league began life on 8th April 2006 as the Midlands Merit League, when Sheffield Forgers entertained Chesterfield Spires in the first game. Eight teams took part in the competition in 2006 and the league rapidly expanded the following year, with 13 teams taking part as well as an Under 15s pilot competition taking place. In 2008 following a name change to the "RL Merit League", 17 teams took part, prompting the formalisation of the league for 2009 and the split into three divisions as the appeal of the Merit League concept grew nationally, coupled with the formal launch of three junior leagues across the Midlands.

For 2010 the Midlands Rugby League has devolved the Merit League competitions in Yorkshire and the North West to those regions and will solely focus upon the East and West Midlands. A Merit League for adults will run alongside the three junior age group leagues.

The Midlands Rugby League has ambitions in 2011 to add an Under 18s league to its growing list of competitions.