The Rugby Football League will make the final decision on the format of the lower tiers from next year.
Yesterday’s meeting in Oldham of Championship and League One clubs actually considered three options, but Cumbria Crack understands only two have gone forward for consideration.
They are the two we suggested were being discussed ahead of the meeting.
The one that appears to have been seemingly ruled out was the introduction of a three-tier conferencing system.
The two options to be considered by the Rugby Football League’s board are the regionalised Conference-style Championship with clubs split east and west or one big Championship of 21 clubs with fixtures based on finishing positions this season.
But it appears the proposed Super 8’s at the end of the current campaign, involving the bottom four Championship sides and the top four League One clubs is not likely to take place.
Because of the new League format below Super League now certain to change for 2026, whichever option is decided upon, there would seem to be no need for the planned eight team contest to decide the ones who would make the Championship next season.
That would mean as far as League One is concerned there will be no particular incentive for finishing in the top four and only the team finishing top would be acknowledged as the 2025 champions.
In effect, this means for this season promotion and relegation across the whole of the professional game as decided on the field of play is gone.
