"The new Championship will consist of 21 teams after the merger of the Championship and League One following the expansion of Super League from 12 to 14 teams for 2026. London Broncos, with their Australian backers including former NRL and Australia star Darren Lockyer, are favourites to win the league and will face Widnes Vikings in their opening match on Sunday, 18 January."
"The Championship will be contested over 24 rounds in the regular season. Ten of the fixtures will be based on 2025 league positions and two opponents will be based on geographical location. For example, all three Cumbria clubs in the league - Barrow Raiders, Workington Town and Whitehaven will all play each other home and away, while, just like in Super League, a rivals round is set for Good Friday (3 April)."
Salford Red Devils open the Championship by hosting Oldham on Friday 16 January after relegation from Super League and a winding-up petition adjourned four times. The merged Championship will feature 21 teams after combining with League One and the expansion of Super League to 14 teams for 2026. London Broncos, backed by Australian investors including Darren Lockyer, are favourites and open against Widnes on 18 January. The season has 24 regular rounds with ten fixtures set by 2025 positions and two by geography, includes a Good Friday rivals round, a top‑10 play-off series in September, and the Grand Final on 4 October. The structure aims to restore old rivalries and add new ownership interest.
Read at www.bbc.com
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