The London Broncos have fallen short of securing a top 14 position in the 2026 IMG Gradings that determine Super League membership, ranking 16th behind Championship club Barrow Raiders. Despite this, the Broncos, who won the Championship and all three domestic trophies last season, appear set to enter an expanded 15-team Super League in 2027, pending final confirmation. This expansion is being considered in light of a pending investment deal with the Australasian National Rugby League (NRL), which has emphasized the importance of London’s inclusion for the success of their partnership with the British competition.
The IMG Gradings, introduced in 2023, assess clubs on performance, facilities, and financial strength to determine eligibility for the following season's Super League. The system currently endorses the top 14 clubs to compete in the league. For 2026, Wakefield Trinity topped the gradings with a score of 17.85 out of 20. Wakefield’s rise from 11th in 2023 to first place is notable, earning them Grade A status alongside Leeds Rhinos, Warrington, Wigan, Hull KR, Leigh, St Helens, and Castleford. Meanwhile, Catalans Dragons and Hull FC lost their Grade A status this season following disappointing performances.
Despite London Broncos’ dominance in the Championship—bolstered by a squad featuring National Rugby League talent under the ownership of Kangaroos legend Darren Lockyer—the grading system ranked them below Barrow, the highest-performing Championship side, which were positioned 15th. Ordinarily, the Broncos’ standing would have meant another season in the Championship. However, the NRL’s involvement in a forthcoming partnership has influenced Super League officials to reconsider this approach, with the NRL reportedly insisting on London’s presence as a condition of their investment.
Super League officials initially resisted expanding the league beyond 14 teams, but the NRL’s determination has accelerated discussions on expansion. Transitioning to a 15-club league would require structural changes, including the introduction of bye rounds, adjustments to fixture scheduling, and reconsideration of central funding distribution. Should the expansion proceed, London’s inclusion would bypass the traditional grading system, which is expected to lose prominence or be redefined under the terms of the new agreement that may place Super League administration under partial NRL control.
The governing Rugby Football League (RFL) must still approve the expansion, with the decision subject to a vote by current top-flight clubs. A unanimous vote could finalize London Broncos’ promotion by early November. This development marks a significant shift in the framework determining Super League composition and highlights the growing influence of Australasian rugby league interests in the British game.