Format of 2026 Betfred Championship play-offs confirmed

The format of the 2026 Betfred Championship play-offs has been confirmed ahead of the start of the new season.

The top ten teams in the final league standings will compete, with an extended and amended version of the McIntyre system in place according to the RFL.

The play-offs will take place over five weekends, culminating in the Championship Grand Final on the weekend of October 10.

The format will be as follows:

WEEK ONE

Teams 1 and 2 receive a bye to week two

Qualifying semi-final 1: Team 3 v Team 5

Qualifying semi-final 2: Team 4 v Team 6

Eliminator 1: Team 7 v Team 10

Eliminator 2: Team 8 v Team 9

WEEK TWO

Qualifying final 1: Team 1 v highest ranked qualifying semi-final winners

Qualifying final 2: Team 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 THREE

Qualifying final winners progress through semi-finals with home advantage

Sudden death play-off 1: Highest ranked loser of qualifying finals v lowest ranked winner of the elimination finals

Sudden death play-off 2: Lowest ranked loser of qualifying finals v highest ranked winner of elimination finals

WEEK FOUR

Preliminary final 1: Highest ranked qualifying final winner v lowest ranked sudden death play-off winner

Preliminary final 2: Lowest ranked qualifying final winner v highest ranked sudden death play-off final winner

WEEK FIVE

Grand final: Highest ranked preliminary final winner v lowest ranked preliminary final winner