Manchester accepted into EPL as Telford and Wightlink withdraw

Manchester Phoenix have been accepted into next season's English Premier League.

The former Elite League side join Basingstoke Bison in dropping down into the EPL and both are joint favourites to win the title.

However, the EPL will remain as a 10-team league following the withdrawals of Telford Tigers and Wightlink Raiders.

Telford have decided to take a year our from competing to sort out finances at the club, while Wightlink have moved down to English National League South Division 1, also for financial reasons.

Peterborough Phantoms, Milton Keynes Lightning, Guildford Flames, Slough Jets, Bracknell Bees, Romford Raiders, Sheffield Scimitars and Swindon Wildcats complete the line-up.

The structure of the EPL will remain the same as last season, with teams playing each other six times during the campaign.

The first set of home and away fixtures between each teams will also count as Premier Cup ties, with the top four sides qualifying for the semi-finals.

The play-offs format also stays the same, with the top eight teams making it through.