The current system of promotion and relegation is being replaced by a license system designed to give clubs greater security to make financial investment and encourage spending in areas such as facilities and community development. At the same time the league is being expanded from 12 to 14 teams.
All 12 Super League clubs have applied, as have French champions Toulouse and six National League teams – they are Welsh side Celtic Crusaders, Salford City Reds, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax RLFC, Leigh Centurions and Widnes Vikings.
Each successful club will be awarded a category A, B or C licence, dependent on the assessment of their applications. Applications were submitted by the end of March and have since been assessed according to 10 different criteria.
Commenting on the new structure, Mark Roberts, at the Deloitte Sports Business Group, which provides professional services for sports, said: "This is the first time a major UK sport has moved away from the concept of on-pitch results - and hence promotion or relegation - deciding which clubs will make up a league.
"There are some strong arguments to support such a move in Rugby League. Improved financial stability, a more competitive league, increased revenues and investment, and better wage control are expected to be among the main benefits of the system."
The 12 clubs currently in Super League are widely expected to be awarded a licence, with two places for the remaining seven clubs.
