No timeline set as Championship and League One restructuring talks begin

The league structure below Super League was thrown into a state of jeopardy when Newcastle Thunder became the third team within 12 months to announce their collapse, however major restructuring talks have begun today in a bid to create a clear resolution.

Thunder’s announcement was followed shortly by a reversal, the club intending to fulfil their 2024 season in League One after suffering relegation during the 2023 campaign.

As such it now means that there is set to be a 14-team Championship and a nine-team League One system in place for 2024, but the current restructuring talks are concerning the 2025 season.

With IMG’s grading set to come into force from the end of the 2024 season, thus determining the 2025 league structure, it’s of huge importance that a resolution is found before the start of the upcoming campaign.

Restructuring ahead of the upcoming campaign had been a consideration but it was viewed by the RFL and the teams involved that the 2023 season was played with the intentions of a standard promotion and relegation, therefore those movements between divisions should stand.

That feeds into why it’s so important that a resolution on this restructuring is decided before the 2024 campaign begins, so each and every team in Championship and League One knows what they are playing for.

Serious About Rugby League can confirm that the talks did begin today, having also been informed by the RFL that there’s no definite timescale but instead a clear aim ‘that the structure of the 2025 season will be known when the 2024 season starts’.

SARL can also confirm the restructured 1895 Cup will take place before the two leagues get underway, the revamped competition format being revealed previously as having seven groups of three.

The games in those groups will take place across late January and throughout February, SARL understands, with extra provisions afforded to League One clubs in that they will be afforded at least one home game against Championship opposition.

That will serve to give them a potentially more attractive big game during the winter months, before the leagues commence following the culmination of the 1895 Cup.

Moreover the 1895 Cup being scheduled before the season starts will also help on the chance that the restructuring talks are prolonged, something that could happen given that there is no firm timeline, as SARL understand.

The fixtures for Super League are set to be revealed tomorrow, with the Championship expected to follow soon some time next week which will also provide a key update on the situation.