A new top-flight place opens as Super League approves expansion to 15 teams for the 2027 season
A new place in Super League
The competition will have 15 clubs in 2027, its first season with that number. It has operated with 12 teams for much of its history, with earlier periods of 14 clubs in 2000, from 2009 to 2014 and last season.
The RFL Board is expected to define the requirements and form a panel to evaluate candidates. The article does not specify when that process will conclude or who will be selected.
London Broncos in contention
London Broncos could seek a return to the top flight after winning the 2026 Championship Grand Final and 1895 Cup. Despite those successes, the club ranked 16th on the end-of-season grading list.
The Broncos were not selected a year earlier, when Bradford, York and Toulouse entered the 14-team competition for 2026. The club now has backing from Australian businessman Grant Wechsel and former Brisbane Broncos player Darren Lockyer.
Investment link remains uncertain
A completed investment agreement with Australia’s National Rugby League is understood to require the Broncos to play in the top division. The reporting does not say that such a deal has been finalized. The decision to expand opens a route for another club, but the selection will depend on the criteria and assessment process still to be set out by the RFL Board.
Key points
- Super League shareholders approved a 15-club competition for the 2027 season.
- The RFL Board will establish criteria and appoint a panel to assess candidates.
- A potential investment agreement with the NRL is understood to require London Broncos to be in the top flight.