Further details on the application process for the 13th and 14th teams in Super League 2026 have been confirmed with strict financial checks implemented.
It has been confirmed by Rugby League Commercial that in addition to the standard five pillars of IMG grading – Fandom, Performance, Finances, Stadium, and Community – there will be extra scrutiny on Finance and Sustainability.
The 12 existing Super League clubs voted in late July in favour of the competition expanding to 14 teams. It was confirmed that 12 teams would gain entry to the competition via the current IMG grading system, with teams 13 and 14 going through an application process.
Those details have now been confirmed and as expected, there is a serious focus on prospective team’s finances given what has happened to Salford Red Devils this year.
There has also been talk that the expansion teams may not receive full central funding and therefore the sustainability element is paramount, however, St Helens’ chairman Eamonn McManus spoke this weekend to deny that as he stated existing clubs may ‘bear a mild dilution’ to central funding.
Strict financial rules in place as Super League expansion criteria confirmed
An RL Commercial statement has confirmed the process that will be undertaken to determine the 13th and 14th Super League teams, whilst it is also clearly stated that expansion will only happen if suitable applications are made.
All clubs have been advised of the process and the panel in charge of verifying applications has also been revealed with Lord Jonathan Caine chairing a seven-person panel.
RL Commercial’s statement explains how finances and sustainability will be scrutinised with 2025 accounts, which do not come under the remit of IMG’s grading, set to be checked, as well as a sustainability forecast for the upcoming seasons.
It read: “In addition to the five pillars under which clubs are judged in the Club Grading System (Fandom, Performance, Finances, Stadium and Community), the panel will judge applications against a further set of criteria relating to Finance and Sustainability.
“These include their financial performance in 2025; detailed financial performance and sustainability forecasts for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons; and their ability to field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond.
“For the latter, analysis will be provided by the RFL’s England Performance Unit.”
Clubs will have until next Tuesday to register their intent to apply with all relevant information having to be supplied by Friday September 12th.
The composition of Super League will be confirmed on Thursday October 16th with club grading scores and the panel decisions announced.
What will the expansion panel look like?
Lord Caine’s panel comprises Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, two non-executive RFL directors, will join Chief Exectuvie Tony Sutton, interim Head of Legal Graeme Sarjeant, RL Commercial’s Rhodri Jones, and Peter Hutton, who is both an RL Commercial director and Super League Europe board member, to oversee the process.
Speaking on the appointment, Lord Caine said: “I am honoured to have been asked to chair the panel to determine whether the Betfred Super League expands from 12 to 14 in 2026 and, if so, which clubs will take up the 13th and 14th positions in the competition.
“This panel consists of individuals with the considerable knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that the process is both thorough and robust. All of our proceedings will be conducted on the basis of absolute fairness, rigorous impartiality between the applicants, total independence and, of necessity, complete confidentiality.”
