NPR

The blueprint for a new ‘Club World Cup’ is understood to have been agreed with a tournament involving the top 16 sides from the northern and southern hemispheres scheduled to start in 2025, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Under the bold proposals eight northern hemisphere clubs and seven from the southern hemisphere, plus a Japanese side, would be placed in four pools, each playing two matches against teams from the other hemisphere. The winner of each pool would progress to the semi-finals ahead of a final to crown the best club side in the world.

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 4:03 pm I'm fine with this as long as no English clubs are involved. Knock yourselves out.

It is understood that Mark McCafferty, the former Premiership Rugby chief executive, has been a central figure in driving the project forward in his role as a non-executive director on the board of EPCR, the governing body of the Champions’ Cup. McCafferty was one of the first to back the idea of a world club championship during his 14-year tenure at the helm of the Premiership.

Biffer wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 4:50 pm These fuckers don’t understand what makes sport special do they?

This is a fucking moronic idea.

Slick wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 5:40 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 4:50 pm These fuckers don’t understand what makes sport special do they?

This is a fucking moronic idea.

They just seem to be throwing something new out every 6 months to see what might stick and then seem offended when they’re told to get fucked

fishfoodie wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:15 pm They probably want to play the final in Dubai, at 2PM in mid-July

Enzedder wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:33 pm Seems a dumb idea - but if the Chiefs made the final (at home) I would definitely try to get a ticket

SaintK wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:06 pm Not for me thanks if it messes with the ERC.

The blueprint for a new ‘Club World Cup’ is understood to have been agreed with a tournament involving the top 16 sides from the northern and southern hemispheres scheduled to start in 2025, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Under the bold proposals eight northern hemisphere clubs and seven from the southern hemisphere, plus a Japanese side, would be placed in four pools, each playing two matches against teams from the other hemisphere. The winner of each pool would progress to the semi-finals ahead of a final to crown the best club side in the world.

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2 ... 2025%2F

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2022 8:28 am Without the use of search engines, who can name the football equivalent of this proposal?

I knew the old name but had to search for the new one, it was re-branded in 2000. (It's no longer the the Intercontinental Cup is what I'm trying to say)

My point is that the Copa Wotsiname and the Champions League are real prizes to be won, no one gives a monkey's about the "best club in the world" gong, it doesn't get much in the way of column inches.

The rugby one is a novelty act.

inactionman wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:39 pm The away games are going to be a bit pricey.

Biffer wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:15 am

inactionman wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:39 pm The away games are going to be a bit pricey.

This is what these twats don't understand. Mixed crowds are one of the big things that make rugby special and generate atmosphere and rivalry. No one will want to watch Saracens play the Hurricanes at 6 am in a half empty stadium on a subscription channel.

JM2K6 wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2022 1:30 pm

Biffer wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:15 am

inactionman wrote: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:39 pm The away games are going to be a bit pricey.

This is what these twats don't understand. Mixed crowds are one of the big things that make rugby special and generate atmosphere and rivalry. No one will want to watch Saracens play the Hurricanes at 6 am in a half empty stadium on a subscription channel.

To be fair that's a very NH-specific view. It's not like Soup teams get a lot of away fans (even domestic games)

The format is understood to have been endorsed by key stakeholders, including Premiership Rugby and representatives for players.