The main change to the format sees the inclusion of the 12 RFU Championship clubs, taking the total number of competing teams up to 22.

That means two pools of six and two pools of five, with each team playing five pool games.

Teams in pools of five will play an additional cross-pool fixture to ensure each club plays the same number of games during the pool phase.

The four pool winners will progress through to the semi-finals.

If clubs are level on points they are ranked by (in order) wins, points difference, points for, tries scored, fewest red cards, points scored in the head-to-head match and finally, if still level, the drawing of lots.

The four semi-finalists will be ranked on group performance, with the single-leg ties on the weekend of February 16/17/18 seeing 1 v 4 and 2 v 3, with seeds 1 and 2 being at home.

The final will be played on the weekend of March 15/16/17 at the home venue of the highest-ranked club.

**POOL DRAW**

**POOL A:** Coventry, Gloucester, Harlequins, Hartpury, Nottingham, Saracens.

**POOL B:** Ampthill, Bedford Blues, Caldy, Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks.

**POOL C:** Bath, Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Jersey Reds, London Scottish.

**POOL D:** Bristol Bears, Cambridge, Doncaster Knights, Ealing Trailfinders, Northampton Saints.

**NEWCASTLE FALCONS’ FIXTURES**

**Sat Sep 9** v Ampthill (away, 3pm)

**Fri Sep 15** v Bedford Blues (home, 7.45pm)

**Fri Sep 22** v Sale Sharks (home, 7.45pm)

**Sat Sep 30** v Leicester Tigers (away, 3pm)

**Sun Oct 8** v Caldy (home, 2.15pm)

**TICKETS**

Newcastle Falcons’ season ticket holders are advised that the home game against Bedford on Friday September 15 is included in their 2023-24 package. Supporters who booked before July 18 also get entry into the Sale Sharks game on Friday September 22. The home game against Caldy on Sunday October 8 is NOT included in any season ticket packages.

Individual match tickets for each of Newcastle Falcons’ three home games are on sale at just £15 for adults and £7 for under-18s in all areas of the stadium. [**Click here**][1] to buy.

Non-season ticket holders can take advantage of our Premiership Rugby Cup bundle, which grants entry to all three home games for the discounted price of £40.50. Email ticketoffice@newcastle-falcons.co.uk to take advantage of this deal.

Season tickets for the 2023-24 campaign can be booked by [**clicking here**][2].

**HOSPITALITY**

Seasonal hospitality guests are advised that the Bedford game on September 15 is included in your package, and the Sale and Caldy games are not.

You can take advantage of our Prem Cup hospitality bundle, with the discounted price of just £80 +vat covering the games against Sale Sharks (Friday Sep 15) and Caldy (Sun Oct 8).

Individual match hospitality for the Sale and Caldy games is available for £45 +vat, and includes a two-course meal as well as entry to watch the match.

For all hospitality bookings or queries please email corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk .

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/Events?preFilter=26&preFilterName=Newcastle%20Falcons
[2]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Season/Index/1850?returnUrl=/newcastle-falcons/Seasons/Seasons