Clubs in Europe's top division in rugby league vote to add more teams from 2026
The future structure of the league was discussed during a meeting at Headingley, north England, on Monday, with a proposal agreed to immediately open up two additional places, provided certain conditions are met.
'The 12 existing Betfred Super League clubs have today voted to extend the competition to 14 teams for the 2026 season, subject to conditions,' a statement from Super League (Europe) Limited read.
'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, who was recently elected as a member of the Rugby Football League Board, and the Strategic Review Sub-Committee.
'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.
'Further details of the composition of the panel and the timing of the process will be confirmed in due course.'
The Super League currently includes eleven teams from England and one side based in France — Catalans Dragons.
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 given the club's ongoing financial issues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
DB Boo Carter with Vols but work to do before hitting field for Tennessee, coach says
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said Tuesday that sophomore defensive back Boo Carter is with the Volunteers as they start preseason practice. HT Image When Carter gets back on the field, however, remains to be seen after he reportedly missed workouts this summer. Heupel declined to get into details. 'Boo is a part of our team here,' Heupel said. 'There's some things that he's got to accomplish to get back on the field with us. Don't have a set timeline on that. Our leadership council has been a part of those things, those discussions with me and with Boo.' Heupel said he's proud of the leadership council. The head coach said he'll be the one handling all questions on Carter early in camp. Whether Carter would show for practice was a question amid reports about his conduct. Tennessee parted with quarterback Nico Iamaleava just before the spring game in April. Heupel said then that nobody was 'bigger than the Power T.' Carter made the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team for his play in 13 games, with five starts last season. He ranked sixth on the defense with 38 tackles, including 28 solo. He also led the SEC averaging 16.5 yards per punt return. Tennessee gave him work in the slot at wide receiver during spring practice, allowing Carter a chance to follow in the two-way footsteps of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. The Vols need Carter with cornerback Jermod McCoy recovering from an ACL injured early this year. The Vols start practice Wednesday needing a new starting quarterback with Iamaleava now at UCLA. Transfer Joey Aguilar, Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre all will be competing for the job for a program that made the College Football Playoff only to be routed by eventual champion Ohio State. Tennessee opens the season Aug. 30 in Atlanta against Syracuse. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said they are looking for a quarterback who can run the offense, not just throw the ball hardest or farthest. 'It's about who can operate this offense that when we take the field gives us a chance to win,' Halzle said. ___ AP college football: and
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Florida QB DJ Lagway sidelined to open fall camp, with his latest injury being a calf strain
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the same spot he spent spring practice — watching from the sidelines. HT Image Lagway is dealing with a calf strain and wearing a walking boot, and coach Billy Napier offered no timetable on his star player's return. It's the latest injury issue for the highly touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery. 'It's not ideal," Napier said Wednesday. 'In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive. ... He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.' The Gators open training camp Wednesday. And Napier, unlike in previous years, closed viewing periods to media for the first three days. Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven starts as a freshman in 2024, is widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. But he's barely been on the field at a time when he could be making significant strides. He was limited during spring practice because of a right shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery. He resumed throwing in late April and said earlier this month at Southeastern Conference media days he would fully participate in camp. But then he strained a calf muscle last week. 'Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy," Napier said. "I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard. 'But he's still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he'll be just fine. He's had a great attitude toward it, and we've got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well.' Lagway completed 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024. He took over the starting role after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October. Without Lagway now, journeyman Harrison Bailey is expected to get most of the first-team snaps. Bailey played at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville before transferring to Florida earlier this year. For Lagway, the calf injury is the latest in a growing list of setbacks over the last three years. The Willis, Texas, native injured his right foot during the Under Armour All-American Game in January 2024 and missed parts of training camp last fall because of shoulder soreness. Lagway also strained his left hamstring against Georgia last year and missed the following week's game at Texas. He returned down the stretch and helped the Gators win their final four games. 'The sky's the limit for that kid,' teammate and defensive end Tyreak Sapp said. "That kid is not just blessed with a lot of ability; the kid is skilled. He practices what he preaches, and he comes in everyday and works hard, regardless of what it is. ... It's going to be super exciting to see what he does. 'I think those (injuries) happen. Obviously, it's unfortunate. We do our best to keep DJ healthy and keep DJ going. I know DJ's going to be able to show out and be himself — and be the best version of himself.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Very bad policies': Donald Trump rules out G20 visit to South Africa; escalates criticism over land reform, white minority 'genocide' claim
US President Donald Trump (Image: AP) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ruled out attending the G20 summit in South Africa this November, citing what he described as 'very bad policies' and repeating widely discredited claims that white citizens in the country are being systematically targeted and killed. Asked aboard Air Force One whether he would travel to the leaders' summit in November, Trump said, 'No, I think maybe I'll send somebody else, because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies... A lot of people are being killed. So I think I probably won't. I'd like to, but I don't think I will,' as quoted by AFP. Trump has repeatedly criticised South Africa during his second term, promoting claims that white citizens, particularly farmers, are being targeted. The claims were amplified by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa. The Trump administration has also taken issue with South Africa's land expropriation law, signed in January, which aims to address land ownership inequalities rooted in the apartheid era. Washington has opposed the law, arguing it could lead to arbitrary confiscations of white-owned land. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected that interpretation, defending the policy as part of broader efforts at economic justice. In May, Trump stunned South African officials during a White House meeting with Ramaphosa by playing a video he claimed showed a "genocide" of the white minority, with reporters present. The Trump administration has cited the persecution claims in granting asylum to South Africa's Afrikaner minority. The US also imposed 30 per cent tariffs on South African goods starting August 1. Earlier this year, US secretary of state Marco Rubio also boycotted a G20 foreign ministers' meeting held in Johannesburg.
