Super League shareholders approve expansion to 15 teams for 2027

Super League shareholders have agreed to expand the competition from 14 clubs to 15 for the 2027 season, the league said. It will be the first time the top flight has operated with 15 clubs.

The competition increased from 12 to 14 teams ahead of the 2026 season, a change that brought Bradford Bulls, York Knights and Toulouse Olympique into Super League while Salford Red Devils dropped out following a financially tumultuous 2025 campaign. The top tier has run with 12 clubs for much of its existence, with previous spells of 14 teams in 2000, from 2009 to 2014 and in the most recent season. The decision to move to 15 follows that recent reconfiguration to 14 teams.

The expansion opens the possibility that London Broncos could return to Super League after they won the Championship Grand Final and the 1895 Cup last season. The Broncos finished 16th on the yearly grading list, placing them below fellow Championship side Barrow Raiders. That placing came despite a season in which they set the pace in the second tier.

The club now has the backing of Australian businessman Grant Wechsel and former Brisbane Broncos star Darren Lockyer. Despite that investment, they were overlooked 12 months ago when Bradford, York and Toulouse were admitted to the expanded 14-team competition for 2026. Their omission at that time left them outside the top flight for the current campaign.

Super League is yet to agree a new title sponsorship deal. The league has not finalised broadcast negotiations or its fixtures for the 2027 campaign. It is understood any completed investment deal with Australian governing body the National Rugby League would insist on Broncos featuring in the top flight.

"[Super League (Europe)] has passed their decision on to the Rugby Football League board," a league statement said., external "The RFL Board will now set out criteria and assemble a panel to run the process to judge against it. "A recommendation will be made in due course."