After the news that Super League will expand to 14 teams from 2026, one key name in the competition has questioned why it’s been ‘rushed’.
Castleford Tigers’ Director of Rugby Chris Chester spoke to the media on Thursday and one of the big talking points was Super League’s decision to expand to 14 teams.
A vote held on Monday at Headingley by Super League club owners decided that the competition will expand from 12 to 14 teams with the process of that also explained; 12 of those teams qualifying via IMG and the remaining two via an application process.
Asked for his thoughts on the matter, Chris Chester said: “I’m not sure why we needed to rush that decision through. I thought we probably, as a game, should have taken a little bit more time in the decision-making.”
His main concern revolved around the quality available to Super League in terms of player pool, concerns that Paul Wellens had aired the day prior as well.
Chester asked: “Is there enough players to go around 14 teams? I know we’ve increased the tent in terms of the overseas, but we don’t want to dilute the quality of the competition that we’ve got at this point in time.”
Super League director left with plenty of questions after expansion decision
One of the biggest reasons why there are such concerns over the player pool is the fact that teams likely won’t know if they’re definitely in Super League until late October, at which point recruitment becomes very hard to do, particularly if you’re a Championship team moving up.
Continuing, Chester said: “I just feel that it’s being rushed but I’m not part of those decisions. I’m led to believe there was a vote, there was a discussion on 10, there was going to be a discussion on 12 and a discussion on 14. I had a brief conversation with Martin, and a lot of people in the room did vote for 14.
“I’m not sure on the timing, I’m not sure why we rushed it through, but it’s a decision that’s been made, and as a game we’ve got to get behind it. Hopefully we’ve done it for the right reasons, and let’s see what 2026 brings.”
Like many fans, Chester was left with more questions than answers after Monday’s announcement, though he did state that now the decision has been made, it must be supported.
He’d say: “What’s the structure going to be? If it’s 14 teams, are we still going to be running a top six, a top eight? There’s lots of questions, and who are the clubs that are going to be coming up? It’s going to be very, very difficult for those clubs to recruit.
“We’ve got to get behind it as a game, and I support the decision. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more time in that decision process, but it’s all above my pay grade.”
Returning to the possible play-off system, he added: “I like the top six, I think the top six teams playing against each other is a much better system, but I have a strong feeling it will go to a top eight, with there being 14 teams.”
The 12 existing @Betfred #SuperLeague clubs have today voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions.
Click to read full statement 👇
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 28, 2025
