The format for Super League in 2026 has been confirmed with a unique way of determining the competition’s composition revealed.
There has been plenty of debate about what Super League will look like in 2026 with suggestions that the competition will expand, whilst others have argued that there is currently only enough talent in the player pool for ten teams.
It’s also been unclear how any changes would be ratified given the fact clubs only agreed to the IMG grading system as the determining factor for what Super League would look like ahead of this current season.
IMG will still play a role in 2026 with Super League Europe releasing a statement to confirm that the competition will expand to 14 teams from 2026.
A vote held by the current Super League clubs approved that and it’s been revealed that 12 of the 14 teams in next year’s competition will be determined by IMG gradings, with the extra two voted upon by a panel chaired by recently-appointed Strategic Review Panel member Lord Jonathan Caine.
Super League to expand to 14 teams for 2026
News of Super League expanding to 14 teams was confirmed in a statement by Super League Europe.
It read: “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.
“The Super League clubs have the right to determine the number of the clubs in the competition. The possibility of immediate expansion to 14 clubs was one of a number of options put to a meeting of the existing 12 clubs at AMT Headingley on Monday afternoon.”
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
Eric T Cat
July 28, 2025 at 9:19 pm
What’s the term I’m reaching for, oh yes “dog’s breakfast”. There isn’t the player pool, there isn’t the money, frankly there isn’t the interest. Which lower league clubs could bridge the gap economically? Are there new investors? Are there consortiums who may own a Union franchise looking to develop a League team? Could Toulouse afford to step up, could fans afford another trip to France? Growth in the NRL takes years, requires sound solid investment, the infrastructure to be in place, look at the Perth Bears, their first key appointment was the Australian coach., they held NRL games to generate interest and stimulate a fan base. What will be the point of adding two clubs with 3000 attendances, the Championship average is currently 2010, getting hammered week in, week out,. Then look at Salford, this has dragged on for 2/3rds of the season, and STILL no money! Expansion yes, but it has to be done properly, with a realistic chance of survival. They may go to 14 clubs for 2026, by 2028 they’ll be contracting to 12 or fewer.
Stuart Acton
July 29, 2025 at 10:55 am
So we pay out milllions to bring in a grading system, then when we expand we ignore it and an independant panel will decide on the 2 new additions.
Salford will not be chucked out and they should be.
York should be one of the teams going up but wont,as Bradford (same Chairman of SL & Bradford), Toulouse and London (expansion clubs) will be favoured.
What is the point of IMG, if it is just going to be chucked out when it suits certain clubs.