Licensing
| Licensing Period | No. of Teams | Successful Super League Applicant | Removed from Super League | Unsuccessful Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2011 | 14 | Salford City Reds, Celtic Crusaders | None | Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions, Halifax RLFC, Toulouse Olympique, Featherstone Rovers |
| 2012–2014 | 14 | Widnes Vikings | Crusaders RL | Barrow Raiders, Halifax RLFC |
Super League licences were announced in May 2005 by the Rugby Football League (RFL) as the new determinant of the Super League competition's participants from 2009 in place of promotion and relegation. The licences were awarded after consideration of more factors than just the on-the-field performance of a club. After 2007 automatic promotion and relegation was suspended for Super League with new teams to be admitted on a licence basis with the term of the licence to start in 2009.
The RFL stated that clubs applying to compete in Super League would be assessed by criteria in four areas (stadium facilities, finance and business performance, commercial and marketing and playing strength, including junior production and development) with the final evaluations and decisions being taken by the RFL Board of Directors.
Successful applicants would be licensed for three years of Super League competition. Three-yearly reviews of Super League membership will take place to ensure ambitious clubs lower down the leagues can still be successful.
Points attained by each club's application are translated into license grades A, B or C. Clubs who achieved an A or B Licence would be automatically awarded a place in Super League, while those who achieve a C Licence will undergo further scrutiny before the RFL decide who makes the final cut.
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