The men's league in England is currently divided into three tiers. The elite tier is the Super 8 in which eight teams from England compete to be the national champion. The second tier is the Championship. This competition is currently divided into North and South. Following an end of season play-off in June, the overall winners are promoted to the Super 8, replacing the team finishing last in the top division. The runners-up in the Championship play a sudden death promotion match against the seventh placed team in the Super 8 for a place in the top division for the following season.[citation needed]
The lowest tier of competition in senior men's handball in England is the third tier which consists of regional development leagues. The number of divisions varies from year to year during the 2014/15 season there were five regional leagues, London, South-West, East, Midlands and North. As of 2016/17 there are four regional leagues, North, Midlands, South-West and South-East. The South-East regional league is divided into three divisions, Tier 1, 2A and 2B, so 2A and 2B make up the fourth tier of English handball.[citation needed]
There is no automatic promotion from the third to the second tier. The third tier is where clubs are able to demonstrate their development and ability to meet the criteria to join the competition at the second tier.[citation needed]
Tier
Leagues/Divisions
1
Premier Handball League (PHL)
8 teams - 1 relegation
2
Championship North
Championship South
3
North Regional Development League
Midlands Regional Development League
South-West Regional Development League
South-East Regional Development League - Tier 1
4
No Divisions
South-East Regional Development League - Tier 2A
South-East Regional Development League - Tier 2B
England Handball League (1972 -2011)
Men's England Handball League Winners (1972 -2011)
The EHA offers two cup competitions for senior males.[8] The EHA National Cup is the cup competition for the top clubs in England. Any club meeting the qualifying criteria may enter. Clubs not eligible for the National Cup may enter the EHA League Cup.[citation needed]