This competition was run in its current form for the first time in 1997. It follow the Four Team Tournament staged by the National League and then by the Second Division of the British League and finally the British Premier League in 1995 and 1996.
The competing clubs are placed in three qualification groups, two of four teams and one of five teams.
The Northern Group consists of Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
The Central Group consists of Sheffield, Stoke, Swindon, and Workington
The Southern Group comprised Arena Essex, Exeter, Isle of Wight, Newport and Reading.
Each track hosts a four-team competition consisting of teams within its own group. In the case of the Southern Group, each team will miss out on one of the five events.
Each event will be run over 16 heats with four-man teams plus one reserve. Each of the four riders will be programmed for four outings but the reserve may take up to four rides.
Each team will compete in four events and the number of points scored over these four legs will determine the group order. Ties will be settled by run-offs.
The top two teams in each group progress to the finals along with two wild card entrants.
The finals will be held at Peterborough on Sunday August 8th. The eight qualifying teams will compete in two semi-finals of four teams over 8 heats with the top two progressing through to a 12-heat final.
In 1997, Long Eaton won the Premier League Four Team Tournament, ahead of Edinburgh, Oxford and Berwick. In 1998, Peterborough won ahead of Edinburgh and Hull who tied in second place.
Four Team Tournament Qualifying Groups
Four Team Tournament First Semi-Final
Four Team Tournament Second Semi-Final
Four Team Tournament Final