Even whilst they've been in SL?

Is the end of season format remaining the same next year or is it still to be decided?

The champions will be crowned, but remain in the Championship?

[exturlhttps://www.rugby-league.com/article/62548/betfred-championship-and-league-one-restructure,-2024-26[/exturl

To answer my own question....

It would take a miracle, but, how funny would it be if Wakefield won in Saturday but then Toulouse got more IMG points and went up instead?

It would make me smile but it isn't happening. The next couple of years look as if nobody will be getting promoted - there will need to be some movement between SL and championship to keep non-SL clubs and supporters on board with the new IMG way of doing things or too many people will feel cut adrift and leave the sport (many are in that place already).

I think the first step will be an increase of teams into SL.

Maybe I'm putting two and two together, but some of the noises being made this week from Toulouse sounds like it could he SL or nothing. They've reduced the investment in the playing squad since SL, not sure they'd carry on if they're consigned to the championship again.

We seem to be splashing the cash but you have to wonder how long this approach will continue. We need to see an expansion of the comp to get in with the ground being as it is. Not sure how we can improve IMG scores otherwise apart from by finishing top or substantially increasing attendances (difficult in the league we're in).

what a season ... a year of coulda shoulda wouda ... dropped so many points this year, toulouse sums up our season. i very exciting championship all round.

looking forward to next year .. stay safe you guys

For obvious reasons I've really enjoyed the Championship this year. What's really struck me is the quality of the rugby played, so many games this year the biggest difference between our full time Squad and other teams has been our extra level of fitness. The other thing I've noticed is that in general the fans aren't as obnoxious as some of those in SL, and seem to enjoy the rugby rather than just getting drunk.

I think next years Championship will be a cracker, with teams like yourselves, York, Oldham and Doncaster looking to improve. We may be there ourselves yet...if so I'll be disappointed, but not devastated.

All in all, I think the Championship has been superbly competitive this year. I think it will be even better next year.

Why?

Wakefield have done it.

We keep being told Bulls are massive and SL needs them.

Surely you don't have loads of fans who will only watch Bulls if they are in SL?

It's a bit more nuanced than that

Attendances held up for us the first year in the Championship (was it 2015? I forget). Then they gradually started to decline as we stumbled through financial "events", liquidation and assorted constant let-downs

Comparing Wakefield's one year stay in the Champ, when the novelty value alone helps keep things bubbling, with the Bulls after almost a decade in the second tier, isn't really comparing like for like.

How would Wakefield's attendances hold up if you were stuck in this league for a decade, I wonder?

I hope we never have to find out!

At least now Bulls fans can stop the entitled nonsense of "Bulls are a massive club / SL needs us".

Progress seems to being made though.

Don't you worry dboy, we're cutting our cloth accordingly.

Not sure if SL needs Bradford but it certainly needs something because it's definitely not where it was 20 years ago.

Bradford seem to be getting it right, though the "big club" mentality is still a weight on their shoulders.

There's a host of Championship clubs who are competitive, just not perhaps quite consistent enough.

It would have been some season if Mash had taken over at York 6 games earlier, and the under-performance of Batley and Halifax was a shock. Add that to Sheffield's seemingly self-created implosion.

Donny will be a decent threat next year too. Then there's London, Fev and Toulouse(?).

Next year's Championship will ne another cracker - I just hope Wakey aren't in it!

(Though if they are I'll still enjoy every minute).