Super League 2026 line-up set for October reveal

Hull KR currently lead Super League by six points ahead of Wigan Warriors, who won the title last season

Super League's 2026 club line-up will be confirmed on Thursday, 16 October, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has said.

The top flight is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams in time for next season, with the expansion taking place by combining the current club grading system with an independent panel.

Clubs have until next Tuesday in order to register their intent to apply for one of the two new spots, while clubs must supply all relevant information in a formal application by 12 September.

In addition to the club grading system's criteria, the league also said the panel would judge applications against each club's financial performance in 2025, as well as their financial performance and sustainability forecasts for 2026 to 2028 and their ability to "field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond".

The additional criteria comes as Salford Red Devils' financial difficulties continue to plague their season, with last Sunday's fixture against Wakefield Trinity being called off as the club only had two senior players available.

Their 2025 campaign has played out against the backdrop of prolonged financial issues, culminating in 14 first-team players leaving the club while they have regularly fielded team line-ups filled with youth players, conceding 940 points in 21 league games this term.

Members of independent panel confirmed

Clubs have been graded under media giant IMG and Rugby League Commercial's 'Reimagining Rugby League' initiative in the past two seasons, but only 2025's league structure has been decided by its criteria, which saw London replaced by Wakefield in the top flight for this term.

Under the system, Super League, Championship and League One clubs are assessed based on points calculated by on and off-field performance and this system is set to be used alongside an independent panel to decide which clubs will form the expanded Super League line-up.

Joining chair Lord Jonathan Caine will be two fellow non-executive RFL directors, Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, as well as RFL chief executive Tony Sutton and interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant.

Meanwhile, Rugby League Commercial's managing director Rhodri Jones and Peter Hutton, a senior independent non-executive director of RL Commercial and Super League (Europe) Board member, complete the panel's seven members.

"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," Caine said.

"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."