The Super League season might be over and the Ashes series on its way, but there is still the matter of who will take top-flight spots in 2026 to be decided.
Earlier this year, Super League’s 12 current clubs voted to expand the competition to 14 teams from next season – the first time the league will have operated with that number since 2014.
Clubs will continue to be graded under media giant IMG and Rugby League Commercial’s “Reimagining Rugby League” initiative, with the top 12 clubs under that criteria named on Thursday (10:00 BST).
Meanwhile a further announcement will be made on two further successful teams on Friday (10:00 BST) based on the decision of a seven-person panel – chaired by Lord Caine.
The panel will judge applications against each club’s financial performance in 2025, as well as their financial performance and sustainability forecasts for 2026 to 2028 and their ability to “field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond”.
With financially-stricken Salford Red Devils unlikely to be able to retain their place in Super League next term, it would appear that three Championship sides will take to the top flight in 2026.
Sport has taken a look at the seven Championship clubs who have applied to join the big time, ordered by their finish during the 2025 season.
