By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Super League clubs on Monday have voted to expand the competition to 14 teams, effective from the 2026 season, subject to conditions.
The decision was taken during a meeting at Headingley on Monday afternoon, with a proposal agreed to immediately open up two additional places, provided certain conditions are met.
In a statement, “the league said the expansion would take place by combining the club grading system with an independent panel.
The panel is to be chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine, who was recently elected to the RFL’s board, as well as the strategic review sub-committee.
The top 12 clubs under the grading system at the end of 2025 will be joined by two clubs recommended by the panel “provided there are two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria”.
It will be the first time since 2014 that the league will have operated with 14 teams, having dipped down to 12 for the 2015 campaign.
The new proposals could see Championship teams such as Toulouse Olympique, Bradford Bulls, York Knights and London Broncos considered for a place in the expanded 14-team top-flight.
Salford Red Devils, meanwhile, could see their Super League spot for 2026 reviewed under grading given the club’s ongoing financial issues.