The RFL have confirmed to Championship and League One teams what the structure of the two divisions will look like for the 2024 season after doubt had been cast over them previously, but there has also been a major shakeup to the 1895 Cup.
The 1895 Cup serves as a competition that is only available for the none Super League teams to win, giving smaller teams a bigger chance at lifting silverware and heading to Wembley with Halifax Panthers having defeated Batley Bulldogs to the win in 2023.
As part of the upcoming season the cup will be reformed, previously it has started from the semi-final stage with the final four none Super League teams that were remaining in the Challenge Cup, however a new structure has been created. It also means that there will be no Summer Bash with the 1895 Cup becoming a larger event.
Teams have confirmed, as per the RFL, that the format will now see seven groups of three teams and be exclusive to the 13 English-based Championship sides (Toulouse Olympique miss out), whilst eight League One clubs will take part (Cornwall missing out).
A statement read: “The 2024 format will see the 13 England-based Championship clubs join eight League One clubs (Cornwall will not be taking part) in seven groups of three. Groups will be seeded and regionalised, with League One clubs awarded home advantage in any fixtures against Championship opposition.
“The top team in each group will qualify for the Quarter Finals, joined by the best-performing second-placed team – the latter to be determined by competition points initially and then, if necessary, by points difference.
“The first round of group fixtures in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup will be played on the weekend of January 27-28. The remaining two rounds of group fixtures will be played in February, alternating with the early rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup. Quarter-finals will be played on March 3, semi-finals on May 12 and the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 8.
“Further details will be provided when the full fixtures list for the Betfred Championship, League One, and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup is published on Sunday, December 3.
“Importantly, clubs in both leagues have been invited to join a forum to consider the best structure below Super League for 2025 and beyond, the intention being to announce decisions before the start of the 2024 league competitions to provide clarity around promotion and relegation between any divisions.”
Because of the expanded nature of the competition it means that teams will start their campaign in late January, cutting the pre-season of teams shorter.
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