Clubs have been graded under media giant IMG and Rugby League Commercial’s ‘Reimagining Rugby League’ initiative in the past two seasons, but only 2025’s league structure has been decided by its criteria, which saw London replaced by Wakefield in the top flight for this term.
Under the system, Super League, Championship and League One clubs are assessed based on points calculated by on and off-field performance and this system is set to be used alongside an independent panel to decide which clubs will form the expanded Super League line-up.
Joining chair Lord Jonathan Caine will be two fellow non-executive RFL directors, Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, as well as RFL chief executive Tony Sutton and interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant.
Meanwhile, Rugby League Commercial’s managing director Rhodri Jones and Peter Hutton, a senior independent non-executive director of RL Commercial and Super League (Europe) Board member, complete the panel’s seven members.
“I am honoured to have been asked to chair the panel to determine whether the Betfred Super League expands from 12 to 14 in 2026 and, if so, which clubs will take up the 13th and 14th positions in the competition,” Caine said.
“This panel consists of individuals with the considerable knowledge and expertise necessary to ensure that the process is both thorough and robust. All of our proceedings will be conducted on the basis of absolute fairness, rigorous impartiality between the applicants, total independence and, of necessity, complete confidentiality.”