Super League expansion in 2026 mooted as takeover of Championship club edges closer

Super League could be set to become a 14-team league next season, according to a City AM report. It comes as an Australian consortium edge closer to completing their takeover of Championship club London Broncos.

The Broncos were relegated from Super League last season and with long-term owner David Hughes choosing to step away, the club has struggled for traction in the second tier so far this season under Mike Eccles.

However, it seems fresh investment is on the way, with a group from down under agreeing terms to purchase the club and take it into a bright new era. Of course, the ambition for those new owners will be to see the Broncos in Super League and with promotion dependent on their IMG rating, they will have to make swift improvements in the capital.

The report claims those new owners have already been in contact with IMG ahead of their big takeover announcement, while it is also suggested that a Super League expansion could be on the cards.

Twelve teams currently compete in Super League and there has been talk of that number increasing in the coming years with the likes of Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique and York Knights all pushing to become top flight outfits sooner rather than later. If the report is to be believed, there is chance that move could be made next year, with at least two sides to be welcomed up from the second tier.

London will hope to be in the conversation and with fresh investment on the way they’ll be keen to find themselves competing at the top end of the division at the business end of the season.

Interestingly, the report also adds that the new owners have struck up links with NRL clubs Penrith Panthers and the Dolphins in order to bring in a raft of talent on loan.