Halifax Panthers’ Championship return approved as RFL share statement and confirm heavy points deduction

Halifax Panthers have had their RFL membership reinstated with the West Yorkshire club returning to take part in the 2026 Championship season.

There has been a growing belief in recent days that the Panthers would be reinstated and that has now been confirmed but it’s also come at a major cost, with Halifax handed a 12-point deduction applied.

Only this past Saturday did London Broncos head coach Jason Demetriou let slip in his post-match interview that the capital club were planning to take on Halifax away this coming Sunday.

That fixture will now go ahead as the first of Halifax’s games in 2026 with a decision still to come on the club’s unfulfilled fixtures against Sheffield Eagles and Barrow Raiders.

The RFL statement announced: “The Rugby Football League has today granted RFL Membership approval to a new Halifax Panthers club who will take over participation in the 2026 Betfred Championship competition.”

RFL chief executive explains Halifax Panthers’ reinstatement

Explaining how and why Halifax were reinstated, the RFL statement said: “The decision was made at an RFL Board meeting following extensive work from a number of parties and a detailed application from the directors of the new entity to help ensure professional rugby league can continue in the West Yorkshire town.

“The old club’s demise meant fixtures against Sheffield Eagles and Barrow Raiders remain unfulfilled. However, the new club, who will host London Broncos on Sunday [3pm], will work to ensure that those missed games are now undertaken on dates to be decided.

“As part of the decision to re-instate them, Halifax will have a 12-point deduction applied for the 2026 Championship season.”

RFL interim chief executive, Abi Ekoku, said: “The Rugby Football League is delighted to welcome Halifax back into the 2026 Betfred Championship.

“We understand the trauma to players, staff and fans in recent weeks; but remained hopeful that the club would have a chance of survival. That has proved to be the case, primarily down to an exceptional community, corporate and political effort.

“We wish them well for the rest of the competition and will continue to support them in that endeavour.”

The new club has five directors: Adam Butterfield, Jason Clough, Christopher Brooke, Benjamin Walker and John Coulter.

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— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) March 3, 2026