The two worst performing teams during the season, with the exception of Toulouse Olympique, will be relegated to Championship 1.

Qualifying for the Grand Final or winning the Northern Rail Cup is a prerequisite for Championship clubs to be able to apply for a licence in the next round of applications for the 2012–14 period.

All of the teams in the 2011 Co-operative Championship will also compete in the 2011 Challenge Cup where they will enter in the third round.

All of the teams will also compete in the 2011 National League Cup which starts before the Co-operative Championship with the finals held mid season.

The Hunslet Hawks and York City Knights were promoted from the 2010 Championship 1 while the Keighley Cougars and Whitehaven were relegated.