How ‘elite’ clubs propose new tournament will take shape

THE SUPER LEAGUE’S founding clubs plan to start the competition from the 2022-23 season. Here is what they hope it will look like.

⬤ The annual competition will be composed for 20 clubs each season. That number will be made up of 15 “Founding Clubs”, 12 of which were confirmed last night.

⬤ Plans include one-off payments of up to £303million to the 15 founder members, although only six will receive the full amount.

⬤ Five places will be open to clubs who qualify annually, “based on achievements in the prior season”.

⬤ The Super League will start in August, with two groups of 10 clubs playing home and away. ⬤ The top three from either group all progress to the quarter-finals, with clubs fourth and fifth in either group taking part in a two-legged play off for the final places in the last eight.

⬤ Knockout stages will replicate the current Champions League format, with two-legged ties leading up to a final held at a neutral venue.

⬤ All matches will be played midweek — possibly with the exception of the final — with the founders planning to continue participating in their own domestic leagues, which the founding clubs insist “remains at the heart of the club game”.

⬤ Clubs involved would play between 18 and 23 Super League matches per season.