The season kicked off on 12 February with the Annual "Millennium Magic Weekend", which was brought forward from its usual slot in May.

Under this system, promotion and relegation between Super League and Championship was abolished, and 14 teams were granted licences subject to certain criteria.

To decide the grand finalists from the top eight finishing teams, Super League uses its unique play-off system.

2011 was the last year of a three-year broadcasting agreement between the RFL and BSkyB for Sky Sports to screen matches exclusively live within the United Kingdom.

[7][8] Sky Sports continued coverage in the UK that saw two live matches broadcast each week – one on Friday night at 7:30 pm and another usually on Saturday evenings.

Regular commentators were Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson with summarisers including Phil Clarke, Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor.

BBC Sport broadcast a highlights programme called the Super League Show, usually presented by Harry Gration.

Orange Sport TV in France aired every Catalans Dragons home match either live or via tape delay.

2011 was also the last of a three-year deal in which the Nine Network in Australia showed up to 70 live games from Super League over the life of the contract.

Starting from Thursday 9 April 2009, all of the matches shown on Sky Sports will also be available live online via Livestation everywhere in the world excluding the US, Puerto Rico, UK, Ireland, France, Monaco, Australia and New Zealand.