Toulouse and York chosen for Super League expansion as London miss out

Toulouse and York have been selected by an independent panel to complete a 14-team Super League in 2026, with London Broncos missing out. Betting impact: bookmakers may shorten Toulouse and York’s odds for early-season wins and survival; punters could find value backing York to outperform Championship rivals or Toulouse to avoid immediate relegation.

Super League expansion confirmed for 2026

An independent seven-member panel has chosen Toulouse Olympique XIII and York RLFC to fill the two extra places in an expanded 14-team Super League for 2026. The panel met across five sessions and made a unanimous decision after reviewing applications from nine clubs, using gradings, financial plans and likely on-field competitiveness as core criteria.

Who earned promotion: Toulouse and York

Toulouse (13.25) and York (13.04) finished 13th and 14th on the existing gradings, and the panel sided with their applications to complete the top flight. Toulouse return to the Super League after their lone 2022 season, while York will taste top-tier rugby league for the first time after climbing through the ranks. They join the 12 clubs already confirmed through the gradings system.

Gradings and wider reshuffle

The gradings process produced notable movement: Bradford Bulls jumped from 16th to 10th, taking a place ahead of Salford Red Devils in the initial top 12. Had selection been purely by gradings, the outcome would have been the same for these two places, according to published scores.

Why London Broncos missed out

Despite a recent consortium takeover and high-profile signings, London Broncos were passed over. Their gradings score sat at 11.65, placing them 16th. Club leaders expressed disappointment but reiterated commitment to the Championship and confidence in long-term plans. Darren Lockyer said the club would “work hard together to achieve a new goal of winning the Championship in 2026,” while owner Gary Hetherington underlined belief in the club’s trajectory.

Panel reasoning and reaction

Chairing the panel, Lord Jonathan Caine emphasised confidentiality around application details but described the process as a “deep dive” into business plans, finances and competitive potential. The panel said it was confident both teams will be competitive in Super League and that the decision was taken fairly and impartially.

Implications for 2026 season and betting markets

On-field: Toulouse and York’s promotion reshapes early-season expectations — Toulouse’s experience at Super League level and York’s rising momentum make both competitive prospects rather than guaranteed strugglers. Betting markets are likely to react by shortening odds on both clubs to secure early wins or to avoid relegation.

For punters: consider value bets on York to finish above expected Championship rivals and on Toulouse to register surprise results early in the campaign. Markets for London will shift towards Championship outcomes, and player-market bets (appearances, tries) for those already signed to London may still offer appeal given retained commitments.

What to watch next

Key storylines for the off-season: squad building in Toulouse and York to handle Super League rigour, London’s recruitment and strategy for a Championship title push, and how bookmakers adjust odds once full fixtures and rosters are confirmed.

Toulouse Olympique XIII and York RLFC have been chosen by an independent panel to complete an expanded 14-team Super League in 2026, as London Broncos miss out.

Sky Sports