2026 Betfred Championship Playoff Structure Confirmed

16/01/2026

As anticipation builds to the first kick off for the 2026 Betfred Championship season, the Rugby Football League have today confirmed the 10-team Play Off structure format which will be in place for the end of the season.

Using an extended and amended version of the McIntyre system, it will see four weekends of Play Off action, culminating in the Championship Grand Final, which will be played on the weekend of 10/11th October.

Please find below the information on how the playoff system will work.

Week 1

Teams 1 & 2 bye – through to Week 2

Qualifying Semi Final 1 – 3 v 5

Qualifying Semi Final 2 – 4 v 6

Eliminator 1 – 7 v 10

Eliminator 2 – 8 v 9

Week 2

Qualifying Final 1 – 1 v Highest Ranked Qualifying Semi Final Winners

Qualifying Final 2 – 2 v Lowest Ranked Qualifying Semi Final Winners

Elimination Final 1 - Highest Ranked Qualifying Semi Final Losers v Lowest Ranked Eliminator Winners

Elimination Final 2 - Lowest Ranked Qualifying Semi Final Losers v Highest Ranked Eliminator Winners

Week 3 

Winners of Qualifying Final 1 & 2 – through to home semi finals

Sudden Death Play Off 1 – Highest Ranked Loser of Qualifying Finals v Lowest Ranked Winner of Elimination Finals

Sudden Death Play Off 2 – Lowest Ranked Loser of Qualifying Finals v Highest Ranked Winner of Elimination Finals

Week 4

Preliminary Final 1 – Highest Ranked Qualifying Final Winners v Lowest Ranked Sudden Death Play Off Winners

Preliminary Final 2 – Lowest Ranked Qualifying Final Winners v Highest Ranked Sudden Death Play Off Winners

Week 5

Grand Final – Highest Ranked Winner of Preliminary Finals v Lowest Ranked Winner of Preliminary Finals