How Championship and League 1 will work in 2019

We now know the shape of the game in 2019.

Super League will consist of 12 teams, with a five team play-off series, and the bottom club relegated to the Championship. Teams will play each other home and away, as well as six so-called loop fixtures, meaning a total of 29 regular season games including the Magic Weekend.

The Championship will consist of 14 teams, with a five team play-off series, with the final winner earning automatic promotion to Super League. The bottom two teams will be relegated to League 1. Teams will play each other home and away, as well as the Summer Bash, meaning 27 regular season games.

League 1 will consist of 12 teams, with the top team earning automatic promotion to the Championship. Teams placed second to sixth will take part in a five-team play-off series, with the play-off final winner also earning promotion to the Championship.

The RFL has also confirmed there will be no changes to the format of the Challenge Cup, meaning teams from League 1 will enter in Round 3 and Championship teams in Round 4.

The bottom four of this season’s Super League will enter in Round 5, with the top eight of this season’s Super League entering in Round 6.