The 12 existing Betfred Super League clubs have today voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions. This would be done by combining the Club Grading System introduced to determine Super League membership as part of the sport’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG in 2022, with an independent panel to be chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine, who was recently elected as a member of the Rugby Football League Board, and the Strategic Review Sub-Committee. The top 12 clubs under grading at the conclusion of the 2025 domestic season will therefore be joined by two clubs recommended by that panel – provided the panel judges there are two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria. Further details of the composition of the panel and the timing of the process will be confirmed in due course.


Which is a long long-winded way of saying, 'It's not Toulouse, but it is Bradford + 1'

Both Hull clubs voted against expanding, and Wigan abstained from the vote in terms of the expansion to 14 teams

i think all clubs voted NW in, as it was going to go through on a majority, so pointless Wigan voting against him, as he'd just be an awkward B****** and set against anything Wigan would propose moving forwards. Its just shocking to see both Him and Rimmer back involved in the sport, after serious failings and subsequent payouts. And in the main the club owners who voted to get rid, have voted them back in, you really couldnt make it up. Added to those 2 we also have Hetherington off to London, so thats the 3 of them in cohoots and if i was a betting man Bradford and London miraculously (now the IMG ratings for 13&14th placed clubs have been scrapped) end up back in super league

This seems to be just all about Woods' coup in parachuting himself to the top job & his power-grab at the expense of the French clubs. He & his cohorts don't want either Toulouse or Catalans in SL because they don't bring in Sky revenue & don't send more than a couple of dozen supporters over here (if that many). Which are valid arguments until you think about the wider game. If league is to properly move forward & expand it has to include the French (and the Welsh, Scots & everyone who wants - yes, I know the talent pool is tiny) or we become an insular, inward-facing sport doomed to ever call on a shrinking audience with concomitant TV, sponsor & advertising revenue reducing year on year.

One argument is that the contract negotiations would be bolstered by a 14 team league, with the theory that more diverse games would mean more advertising etc.. Except that Sky don't broadcast French home games, so it would have to be 2 new English teams (& with all the will in the world I very much doubt London would be able to sustain any sort of interest & profit for any length of time - so we're back to the M62 corridor again).

Notwithstanding Sport England who have questioned the transparency of Woods' appointment & the governance of the game, have threatened to withdraw funding.

I did think when IMG arrived we'd have a few years' stability. That's gone up in smoke. 

It's interesting that Wigan abstained from all voting. Its an unlike Wigan move so i'd like to hear their motive behind it. Another point is that Wigan haven't acknowledged the change on their social media accounts, like other clubs have. There must be reasons for this but my thought is that Wigan are still pushing for NRL involvement but this would have to be a breakaway as NRL wont deal with Wood. 


In terms of the changes, i think its a year too soon to expand. The league should of stayed in the same format for one more season with a view to add either one or two teams in 2027 depending on the new broadcast deal. Pushing to 14 teams next season will undeniably reduce the quality of the competition. There is a possibility that 3 teams will be promoted next year due to the Salford situation and all now have around 6 months to put a team together. Sky don't care about how many teams are in the competition, they care about the quality.


Removing Magic Weekend is something im not bothered about but i understand the benefits of it, its a way to showcase the game in a different location which is something the game needs to continue to do. Sky get behind it. 


I am absolutely against an 8 team play off system. A team in the bottom half of the table gets the chance in the biggest games of the season? It just rewards mediocrity. We have used this system in the past and had very poor crowds due to the amount of extra games home fans have to pay for as its not part of their season ticket. There is nothing wrong with the top 6 play off system we have currently. 


The changes as a whole just scream as short-termism and I've no doubt the game will be changing the structure again in a few years time because small minded club owners aren't happy. 

I don't think that's totally true. If I was a Sky exec, I'd be quite happy to hear that 2 extra teams are being added as it's an opportunity to add new subscribers, assuming they are UK based. If only 5,000 extra fans from Bradford and York, paying £40 a month (it's probably more) on a 2 year contract, they are worth almost £5m to Sky just from their subscription alone. Then add on advertising revenue, betting etc.




Agree with this completely. Top 8 is an abysmal system for the reasons you have explained perfectly. They are obviously afraid of 'dead rubber' games for teams 7-14th but it just penalises the top teams instead.

Perfect opportunity to break away and start anew without the ones we don't want. Or at least the ones with no vision. 

Imagine if Wigan, Wire and the two Hull clubs got into bed with the NRL and implemented a massively increased cap—or no cap at all. Every decent Super League player coming off contract would be easy pickings.


That, combined with the NRL links, would force the hand of semi-ambitious clubs like Saints, Catalans, and Leigh to follow suit. Add in Toulouse and you’ve got “The Rivals League.”


After all, what other choice would they have? Stay in Super League—a comp now without its best-supported teams? A comp likely to struggle for a TV deal, while the other one negotiates global rights with the NRL and the new Super League? A comp with guys like Gould or V’landys versus Nigel “Fat Man” Wood? All while watching every top player they have leave for the NRL or the new SL, on wages they’re not allowed to match?


My god I hope it happens.