LONDON BRONCOS SET FOR SUPER LEAGUE PLACE DESPITE GRADING

London Broncos are set to be promoted to an expanded Super League next season despite ranking below Barrow Raiders in the Rugby Football League's IMG gradings, according to reports. The 2026 gradings, which rank clubs on criteria including performance, facilities and finance, placed London 16th, behind Barrow, who were ranked as the best-performing Championship club. The Broncos won all three domestic trophies available in the Championship this season under the ownership of former Australia international Darren Lockyer. Super League is reportedly set to expand from 14 to 15 clubs to accommodate London, separately from the grading process that normally determines promotion and relegation.

The gradings system, introduced in 2023, has been used to decide which clubs compete in Super League each season. One report said Super League officials initially resisted admitting London once it became clear the club would not finish in the top 14, before the NRL made it a condition of a prospective investment deal in the British game that London be included in the top flight. Any expansion would need to be confirmed by RFL officials and then voted on by existing Super League clubs, with a unanimous decision potentially allowing London's promotion to be confirmed within weeks, according to one report. Wakefield topped the 2026 gradings with a score of 17.85 out of 20, ahead of Leeds on 17.03, Warrington on 16.72 and Wigan on 16.46. Hull KR, Leigh, St Helens and Castleford also retained Grade A status, while Catalans Dragons and Hull FC lost it following what one report described as poor seasons on the field.

The planned investment partnership between the NRL and Super League is expected to reshape how the English game determines its top-flight membership in future seasons. One report said the deal is widely expected to make the current gradings system obsolete for that purpose, raising questions over the continued involvement of IMG, which compiles the rankings. Super League would need to move quickly to implement the structural changes required to become a 15-team competition in time for next season. Formal confirmation of London's promotion is expected to follow the RFL and club voting process.