London Broncos have agreed to a condition from the existing 14 Super League clubs that they must relinquish any rights to around £1.3m in central distribution funding if they are to enter the competition in 2027, with the Rugby Football League expected to ratify their elevation imminently.
A partnership between Super League and the NRL which would see the Australian governing body take administrative control of the English game, and also inject tens of millions of pounds of much-needed financial support, is now not expected to begin until 2028. Despite that, the expansion of Super League to 15 teams to include London has moved a step closer to reality.
Many of the existing top-flight clubs were aware the NRL would insist on London's inclusion in Super League when a partnership eventually starts. It was initially suspected that would be in 2027, but the two competitions have failed to agree a deal in time, though the NRL will assist in ensuring four Super League games per week are shown on DAZN next year.
That partnership not beginning until 2028 looked to have consigned London to another season in the Championship, which they won at a canter this year. But Super League clubs informed the Broncos they would still be wiling to include them on the proviso they came in with zero distribution. The other 14 clubs currently get around £1.3m in central funding.
And the Guardian has been told London have now accepted those terms. They were only due to get around £140,000 in distribution had they remained in the Championship, such is the harsh financial reality of life outside Super League. But London were also fearful they would lose their best playing talent if they decided against agreeing to the stringent financial conditions.
York Knights and Toulouse Olympique joined Super League with half the central distribution of the other teams, around £650,000, this year when the competition expanded to 14 teams. And it will now grow again with London set to be included as a 15th team – with Super League clubs now ultimately expected to vote on expansion shortly.
Super League clubs cannot handpick new teams though, only decide on the size of the league. That decision will then go to the RFL, who will launch a process to decide the 15th team. The governing body would likely use the IMG gradings system which decides the make-up of Super League as a metric for London's elevation.
The Broncos actually finished 16th in this year's gradings but the team that finished 15th, Barrow Raiders, have already said they are not ready for Super League. Their facilities also do not meet minimum standards – meaning the RFL can approach London as next in the pecking order and invite them into Super League.