Rugby League Clubs Embrace 1895 Cup’s New Group Stage Format in 2024
The 1895 Cup, a prominent rugby league competition, has unveiled an exciting new format for the 2024 season, involving 21 Championship and League 1 clubs. The tournament will now feature a group stage, giving fans a fresh and engaging approach to the competition.
The new format comprises seven groups of three clubs, grouped geographically. These teams will play each other in a round-robin fashion, with the group winners automatically progressing to the quarter-finals. Additionally, the best-performing second-placed team will also secure a spot in the last eight.
Interestingly, when a Championship club faces a League 1 club during the group stages, the team from the third tier will enjoy home advantage. This added twist promises to create an even more captivating and unpredictable tournament.
The 1895 Cup has been a highly anticipated event since its inaugural year in 2019, with several Championship clubs emerging victorious over the years. Sheffield Eagles, Featherstone Rovers, Leigh Centurions, and most recently, Halifax Panthers, have all lifted the trophy, showcasing the competitive nature of the competition.
In a thrilling finale last August, the Halifax Panthers, led by Simon Grix in his final year in charge, defeated the Batley Bulldogs at Wembley Stadium under the iconic arch.
The 2024 1895 Cup group games will commence on the weekend of January 27 & 28, and fans can look forward to all the fixtures and results being updated in this article throughout the tournament.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will maintain the traditional knockout format, with the final set to take place at Wembley on June 8, alongside the Challenge Cup finals. Rugby enthusiasts can expect an exciting and action-packed day of rugby league at the iconic venue.
As the 1895 Cup embraces its new group stage format, the rugby league community eagerly anticipates the thrilling battles that lie ahead, with Championship and League 1 clubs vying for the coveted trophy.
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