Wakefield Trinity Tops Super League Club Rankings; London Broncos Miss Out
All 14 existing Super League clubs will retain their places for the 2027 season, while Championship winners London Broncos have been excluded.
Wakefield Trinity has secured the top spot in the 2026 Super League club grading rankings, a significant achievement that guarantees all 14 current Super League clubs will remain in the competition for the 2027 season. Despite winning the Championship Grand Final, the 1895 Cup, and the regular-season standings, London Broncos did not qualify for promotion. They finished 16th in the rankings, below fellow Championship side Barrow Raiders.
Wakefield's top ranking, based on criteria developed by IMG, is the first time they have achieved this position. The grading system evaluates clubs on five factors: fan experience, finance, stadium, community, and on-field performance. Wakefield matched the record score of 17.85 set by Hull KR the previous year.
"Wakefield Trinity's rise to the top of the 2026 club grading rankings is a fascinating story for rugby league, and a strong example of how sustained progress on and off the field can be recognised through the grading framework," said RFL chief executive Ian Nolan. "Their achievement sits alongside encouraging movement across the sport, from growing attendances and digital audiences to continued improvements in facilities and community delivery."
Leeds Rhinos are second in the rankings with a score of 17.03, slightly lower than their previous standing. Warrington Wolves have moved up to third place, driven by a strong season that included a Grand Final appearance. Wigan, who won the Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield, are fourth, followed by Hull KR and Leigh Leopards. St Helens dropped from third to seventh after missing the play-offs for the first time in the Super League era.
Castleford Tigers, despite finishing 13th in Super League, climbed from 11th to eighth in the rankings, securing a place in Category A. Catalans Dragons and Hull FC are ranked ninth and 10th respectively, but have moved from a Category A to a Category B grade. Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants follow, with newcomers Toulouse Olympique and York Knights occupying 13th and 14th.
Overall, 26 clubs were graded using this system, divided into three categories: A, B, and C. Only six of the 14 Super League clubs scored higher than they did in the previous year. London Broncos' score of 9.77 was notably lower than their mark of 11.65 from the previous year, and significantly below Barrow Raiders' 9.85.