The competition was open to all clubs in the Championship and League 1 although French team, Toulouse Olympique have always declined to enter.
The groups were regionalised to reduce the financial costs further and League 1 clubs played at home in fixtures against Championship teams.
[2] Newcastle Thunder were included in the competition even though at that date the club's participation in the league for 2024 had yet to be confirmed.
[3] The final was played at Wembley Stadium on 8 June 2024 alongside the finals of the Challenge Cup and the Women's Challenge Cup.
The seven group winners were joined in the draw by York Knights as the best second-placed team.