Widnes Vikings can today provide confirmation from the RFL on the structures for the 2024 Betfred Championship and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.
Following a meeting of Betfred Championship and League One clubs last month the RFL Board has confirmed the structure for the 2024 season – including a new, expanded format for the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.
Despite a push for a single division outside of the Super League, the Betfred Championship will continue as a 14-team competition in 2024, with League One set to remain a nine-team competition next season.
In the Championship, the structure will once again see the top six teams qualify for a Play-Off series culminating in a Grand Final to determine the champions. This will be played at the home ground of the team ranked highest during the regular season.
The Vikings will continue to compete in a 26-round season, playing each team home and away in 2024. There will be no Summer Bash in the fixture calendar for 2024.
However, in response to representations from League One clubs that they would benefit from being able to offer more fixtures to their supporters, a new structure has been devised for the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.
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.
A lot to digest👍👍
Seven leagues of three teams (probably Swinton and Oldham) with it seems lots of free weeks in between.
The "regional" and "seedings" split will be interesting,
Worky, 'Haven and Barrow?
Wakey, Fev, and Thunder, would sound OK geographically, but I would imagine the first two would be top-ish seeds.
You, North Wales, and AN Other?
Donny, Sheff, and AN Other?
Dews, 'Dogs, and AN Other?
York, Huns, and AN Other?
Bulls, Cougars, and AN Other?
Midlands v AN Other x 2?
Oldham, 'Ornits, and Us? But that'd mean two League 1 teams in the same group, which I'd think is summat the RFL would prefer to avoid.
Your suggestions please mes amis!
Spelly.
Widnes will be in a group with Swinton and Crusaders.
@spelly have thunder reformed ?
as there are only 8 league 1 clubs there would be 1 group with 2 in which I suspect would include the midlands
@spelly have thunder reformed ?
as there are only 8 league 1 clubs there would be 1 group with 2 in which I suspect would include the midlands
There are 9 League 1 clubs in total including Newcastle. Cornwall aren't participating in 1895 Cup. If Newcastle withdraw that would leave 20 teams and you'd imagine, a bit of a headache for the RFL.
Widnes will be in a group with Swinton and Crusaders.
James, as the league 1 club plays at home, it will mean Crusaders have two home games and how are they going to legislate who has the other home game. One team won’t get a home game at all and could be disadvantaged more when the Cup games start.
Yes one of Widnes and Swinton won't have a home game in the group stages. There will be a Champs team without a home game in each of the groups. The idea of it was to give League 1 teams extra home games for revenue so that's why it's done that way.
Widnes will be in a group with Swinton and Crusaders.
James, as the league 1 club plays at home, it will mean Crusaders have two home games and how are they going to legislate who has the other home game. One team won’t get a home game at all and could be disadvantaged more when the Cup games start.
Just a total guess here, but as the League 1 teams play at home, would last year's league final placings come in to the scenario, with the lower placed of the two hosting the tie?
That'd mean you coming to us, rather than the other way round.
As I said it's only a guess, but as they're cup-ties, the "gate" would be split, would it not?
Anyway, it's looks like we'll be locking horns earlier than anticipated!
Spelly.
Happy to see the bash binned off, never really enjoyed it.
Happy to see the bash binned off, never really enjoyed it.
bag of laughs you. Moan at anything and everything
Yes one of Widnes and Swinton won't have a home game in the group stages. There will be a Champs team without a home game in each of the groups. The idea of it was to give League 1 teams extra home games for revenue so that's why it's done that way.
the problem with this idea is that fev, Bradford,York etc fans will not bother going to see their team against a league 1 team like hurricanes, hunslet et al because they know they will win by a country mile