The RFL have confirmed big changes for how Super League clubs will be able to build and roster teams in the 2026 season, whilst also providing an update on the impending transfer deadline.
As previously reported by Serious About Rugby League, Super League teams will be able to have up to ten overseas quota players in their squads from the 2026 season onwards.
Overseas quota players are defined as those who are ‘non-federation trained’, meaning they don’t have three or more years playing in Europe before the age of 21.
Typically, a non-quota player would be a standard English or French homegrown player, but exceptions do exist, with Lachlan Lam being a notable example. His time playing at junior level whilst his father, Adrian, played for Wigan means that the current Leigh star qualifies as federation-trained.
The increase to a maximum of ten overseas quota players widens the talent pool for Super League, but undeniably limits opportunities for homegrown talent, with many teams already filling their 2026 roster early.
RFL confirm quota change amid Super League transfer deadline update
News of the quota change came from an RFL press release, which also confirmed updates to the impending transfer deadline.
Rather than August 1st, it will be August 28th for Super League clubs, the 21st for Championship outfits and August 7th for League One sides.
Those deadlines fall in line more with each competition’s play-off system. It is worth noting that the deadline also impacts loans as well, whilst dual registration deals can continue, but only for players in the Reserves competition.
The concluding line of the statement confirmed the overseas quota rule change, stating: “In addition, the RFL has confirmed to clubs that the permitted number of Non-Federation Trained Players on the register of Betfred Super League clubs at any time will be raised in 2026 from seven to 10.”
