The Million Pound Game: A Changing Landscape in Rugby League
The Million Pound Game has been a fixture in Super League in recent years, responsible for some of the most dramatic moments in the competition. In 2016, Gaz O’Brien’s clutch drop goal secured promotion for Salford Red Devils against Hull KR. Two years later, London Broncos overcame Toronto Wolfpack in a tense 4-2 victory to earn their spot in the top flight.
While the Million Pound Game moniker was replaced by the Championship Grand Final in 2022, the high-stakes nature of the game remained, with promotion to Super League still on the line. Last season, London Broncos once again came out on top, defeating Toulouse Olympique in the end-of-season showpiece.
However, the landscape is set to change moving forward. Due to the IMG reforms of the Rugby League pyramid, promotion will no longer be determined by winning this game. Instead, the newly introduced grading system will decide the 12 sides that make up Super League.
In the absence of promotion being the sole driver, the RFL is exploring new ways to enhance the competitive nature of the Championship and League One play-offs. In a recent media briefing, RFL CEO Tony Sutton confirmed a strategy to revitalize these events.
This includes:
- The awarding of 0.25 performance ranking points to the winner of the Championship Grand Final
- Plans to increase the prize money for clubs participating in the Championship and League One Grand Finals
“We are starting and ongoing with a strategy to enhance both the Championship Grand Final and the League One Final as stand-alone events,” Sutton said.
While the path to Super League may have changed, the RFL is committed to ensuring these crucial end-of-season fixtures remain highly competitive and captivating for rugby league fans.
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