Hull FC chief highlights IMG frustration despite reclaiming Grade A status

Hull FC have their sights set on making even more strides next year after reclaiming their IMG Grade A status this morning.

The Black and Whites dropped out of top bracket in 2024, with the club falling short in a number of key areas, including performance on the pitch.

However, as expected, Hull are one of nine clubs with Grade A status in 2025 with the East Yorkshire side sitting ninth in the rankings with a score of 15.06. Ultimately, given stadium limitations and the financial period used to calculate that score, the club believe that figure is realistically the maximum available to them at this moment in time.

FC have made an effort to improve their catchment and attendances have grown in 2025. Crucially, though, they don’t have primacy of tenure at the MKM Stadium which is mainly due to the fact that they don’t own it.

In a statement released on the club website, Richie Myler outlined his frustration at the club’s stadium situation, which is costing them when it comes to IMG. However, with owner investment and performance marks likely to increase over the coming 12 months, FC are more than confident that they can build on their Grade A status for 2026 and beyond.

Hull FC CEO Richie Myler makes 2026 prediction

“We are absolutely delighted to see the club earn Grade A status for 2026 – this is testament to the hard-work both on and off the field throughout the year, and a clear indication that this is a club heading in the right direction,” CEO Myler said in a club statement.

“Achieving Grade A status was one of the key targets we set ourselves ahead of the season, so this is another major step forward us and I thank each and every individual across the club who has played a role in allowing us to achieve this.

“While there are many areas of the grading system we are unable to influence quickly due to much of the scoring being based over three-year averages, we identified league performance and catchment as the two key areas we could improve our score significantly. A much improved campaign on the field, as well as the signing of our Rugby League Development Agreement with North Lincolnshire Council, has seen us achieve those targets and ultimately taken us above the all-important 15 point mark.

“We are pleased to have maintained strong scores across all five pillars of the grading; in fandom, we have achieved record-breaking social media engagements in 2025 as well as organically increasing our audience by more than 11%; our financial scores have remained strong, and will only improve further over the coming years; we have achieved all of the points realistically currently available to us in relation to our stadium and increased our utilisation thanks to increased attendances; and we continue to score strongly in for community thanks to the continued brilliant work of our Hull FC Community Foundation.

“While some of the grading scoring metrics remain frustrating, particularly around the stadium pillar in relation to big screens and utilisation, with us ultimately being penalised despite playing in one of the competition’s premier facilities, we are hopeful of identifying key areas we can increase our score even further next season as we aim to continually improve and develop in all areas across the club over the coming seasons.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and partners for their incredible support throughout 2025 – we have enjoyed the highs and lows of a season of great progress together, and we’re confident that this is just the first chapter of an exciting journey together over the coming seasons. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.”