SUPER LEAGUE clubs have brought forward the expansion to 14 clubs to next season.
It was expected the addition of two more sides would not come until 2027, to tie in with the next broadcasting deal.
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But at a meeting of top flight sides in Leeds today, the majority voted to expand for 2026.
IMG’s grading system will decide 12 of the clubs who will make up the larger competition, which will see the end of despised loop fixtures and keeping the 13 home matches.
However, two others will be chosen by an independent panel.
This means those from outside the top 14 can be picked if they do not make the 12, which means Toulouse Olympique could be overlooked.
And with Salford set to still be relegated despite the expansion, there is the prospect of three clubs, including Bradford, coming up.
London Broncos, currently 10th in the Championship and Oldham, only promoted from League One last year, are also keen on a place at the top table.
If the Red Devils do stay in, that will mean a miraculous escape after months of chaos under the shambolic ownership of Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown.
However, a Bulls’ return would spark many complaints given the link with new Rugby League Commercial chair Nigel Wood, who headed the “club-led strategic review”.
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Until March, he was chairman at Odsal – the condition of which, with one seated and covered stand is another source of anger among supporters.
The raising of the overseas quota rules, allowing teams to have ten foreign players from 2026, has also raised fears of a dilution of talent across 14 teams.
It has angered fans, who reacted: “I’m never watching this nonsense again.”
Another said: “The death has started.”
But other disagreed, commenting: “Finally! About time. This should have happened years ago.”
A Super League statement said: “The 12 existing Super League clubs have voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions.
“This would be done by combining the club grading system introduced to determine Super League membership as part of the sport’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG in 2022, with an independent panel to be chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine.
“The top 12 clubs under grading at the conclusion of the 2025 domestic season will therefore be joined by two clubs recommended by that panel – provided the panel judges there are two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria.
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“The Super League clubs have the right to determine the number of the clubs in the competition.
“The possibility of immediate expansion to 14 clubs was one of a number of options put to a meeting of the existing 12 clubs.”
