Million Pound Game (stylized as £1M Game) was an annual rugby league game that decides which Championship teams will be promoted to Super League, and which Super League teams would be relegated for the following season. Instituted in 2015 and played until 2018, the game was played as the final of The Qualifiers replacing the playoffs and Championship Grand Final.
In 2019, the Championship Grand Final returned but used the "Million Pound Game" name until 2021.
The name alludes to the higher level of funding Super League clubs receive.
Format
2015–2018: The Qualifiers Starting for the 2015 season, the bottom 4 teams in the Super League played the top four teams in the Championship in a league of eight. The top three teams were awarded a place in Super League whilst teams finishing fourth and fifth play each other for the final Super League place in a game called the Million Pound Game.
2019–2021: Playoffs The 2019 season saw return of the playoffs and the Championship Grand Final to determine promotion to the Super League and, with the Super 8s being scrapped, the winners of the RFL Championship. The name "Millions Pound Game" was retained for the final due to marketing purposes until 2021, with the 2022 final being called the "Championship Grand Final" again.
Results YearWinner ScoreRunner upVenueAttendanceRef.2015 Wakefield Trinity24–16 Bradford BullsBelle Vue7,2362016 Salford Red Devils19–18 Hull Kingston RoversCraven Park6,5622017 Catalans Dragons 26–10 Leigh CenturionsLeigh Sports Village6,8882018 London Broncos4–2 Toronto WolfpackLamport Stadium9,246
Winners ClubWinsLast winRunners-upLast final lost Wakefield Trinity120150N/A Salford Red Devils120160N/A Catalans Dragons1 20170N/A London Broncos1 20180N/A Bradford Bulls0N/A12015 Hull Kingston Rovers0N/A12016 Toronto Wolfpack0N/A 12018 Leigh Centurions0N/A 1 2017
See also
Championship Grand Final League 1 Promotion Final Championship Leaders' Shield
References