LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a recent meeting held at Headingley, the 12 current Betfred Super League clubs voted to expand the league to 14 teams for the 2026 season, contingent on certain conditions.
A statement from Super League confirmed, "The 12 existing Betfred Super League clubs have today voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions."
The expansion will be facilitated by incorporating the Club Grading System, which was introduced as part of a strategic partnership with IMG in 2022.
An independent panel, chaired by newly elected Rugby Football League Board member Lord Jonathan Caine and supported by the Strategic Review Sub-Committee, will oversee the process.
According to the agreement, the top 12 clubs will be identified based on their grading at the end of the 2025 season.
These clubs will then be supplemented by two additional clubs recommended by the panel, provided there are two applications that meet the established criteria.
"The Super League clubs have the right to determine the number of the clubs in the competition."