Later tonight Australian time, English rugby league officials will announce the final two clubs that will join the expanded 14-team Super League competition for 2026.
Whichever bids get the nod, there will be at least one aspiring Championship (second division) club left licking its wounds—and there’s every chance it could be the London Broncos.
Following significant moves by a new ownership group led by Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, it has seemed almost inevitable the London Broncos, one of Super League’s founding clubs, would secure its place back in English rugby league’s top competition.
However following the release of official gradings conducted by media giant IMG and Rugby League Commercial earlier this week, the Broncos sit only 16th meaning they are at the complete mercy of the seven-person selection panel to leapfrog into the final 14.
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One thing we do know is Bradford Bulls will be back in the top flight for the first time since 2014 based on the grading process alone and have essentially taken the place of 2025 Super League basket cases Salford.
Beyond that things get far more complicated.
Despite boasting a new ownership group headed by Lockyer, a new head coach in Jason Demetriou and several major new signings including NRL stars Siliva Havili and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, there are no guarantees of success for the London club.
2025 Championship League Leaders Shield winners York Knights and grand final winners Toulouse Olympique were both graded higher than the Broncos and boast solid Super League credentials, meaning at least one would need to miss out in order for the Broncos to be chosen in what would be bitter and no doubt divisive pill to swallow.
If the Broncos were indeed to miss out in 2026, they would likely then be forced to earn their way into the top flight Super League the old fashioned way: through promotion in 2027.
What exact impact that would have on the recently-agreed contracts of Demetriou, Havili and Campbell-Gillard is unclear, however it is understood the trio would most likely still be required to fulfil their commitments to the London club.
With a decision imminent there’s no doubt plenty of pressure coming from the southern hemisphere ahead of the final announcement which is scheduled to be made on Friday night Australian time (8pm, AEDT).
The RFL can today confirm the IMG Grading of the 35 clubs across Super League, Championship and League One following the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/se9c7D4eya
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) October 16, 2025