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Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has defended the decision to increase Super League to 14 clubs insisting it’s a “positive message.” The 12 existing clubs yesterday voted to extend the competition for next season.
Many people thought the rise might occur in time for 2027 but club owners have opted to move now. Although the decision helps in some aspects including getting rid of the much-maligned ‘loop’ fixtures in the current 27 round campaign, it’s hard to see how a 14-club competition will stack up with the sport already financially struggling.
There is also an argument there is not enough quality even to sustain a 12-club operation. However, what has annoyed supporters more than anything is how the extra clubs will be decided.
The IMG club grading system will decide the top 12 teams, as it did last year. But, randomly, an independent panel chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine will recommend the final two clubs provided there are ‘two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria.’
It is a bizarre stance to take but Championship leaders York Knights, who have signed Aussie powerhouse Paul Vaughan for 2026, joint-top Toulouse, Bradford, Oldham - who aired their Super League intentions in an exclusive AORL interview - and London will all hope to benefit. The move came following a strategic review of the sport by Nigel Wood, who stood down as Bradford chairman in March to undertake the role, and is now RFL chairman.
Hetherington, who stands down as Leeds chief executive in October and is heavily involved at London, insisted: “It’s a real positive message from the game going forward to expand Super League to 14 clubs.
“It replaces loop fixtures, which is a positive, and the application process to join Super League next year is going to be a very robust one. I think it will create a lot of interest from clubs who aspire to be in Super League.”
Hetherington revealed London will be bidding to join in 2026. He said: “London doesn’t just want to survive. Its whole intent is to be a successful entity on and off the field and add real value to the game of rugby league.
“There’s work to do but in some ways this accelerates the process.”
Hull FC and Hull KR voted against the 14-club proposal while champions Wigan abstained. Super League made a brief statement last night to confirm the news of the competition rising to 14 clubs. But Wood was not available for comment at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, another former RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer has returned to the sport. He will undertake a three-month project with Huddersfield Giants to try and secure them a new stadium.
www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk
Many people thought the rise might occur in time for 2027 but club owners have opted to move now. Although the decision helps in some aspects including getting rid of the much-maligned ‘loop’ fixtures in the current 27 round campaign, it’s hard to see how a 14-club competition will stack up with the sport already financially struggling.
There is also an argument there is not enough quality even to sustain a 12-club operation. However, what has annoyed supporters more than anything is how the extra clubs will be decided.
The IMG club grading system will decide the top 12 teams, as it did last year. But, randomly, an independent panel chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine will recommend the final two clubs provided there are ‘two applications of sufficient merit against the set criteria.’
It is a bizarre stance to take but Championship leaders York Knights, who have signed Aussie powerhouse Paul Vaughan for 2026, joint-top Toulouse, Bradford, Oldham - who aired their Super League intentions in an exclusive AORL interview - and London will all hope to benefit. The move came following a strategic review of the sport by Nigel Wood, who stood down as Bradford chairman in March to undertake the role, and is now RFL chairman.
Hetherington, who stands down as Leeds chief executive in October and is heavily involved at London, insisted: “It’s a real positive message from the game going forward to expand Super League to 14 clubs.
“It replaces loop fixtures, which is a positive, and the application process to join Super League next year is going to be a very robust one. I think it will create a lot of interest from clubs who aspire to be in Super League.”
Hetherington revealed London will be bidding to join in 2026. He said: “London doesn’t just want to survive. Its whole intent is to be a successful entity on and off the field and add real value to the game of rugby league.
“There’s work to do but in some ways this accelerates the process.”
Hull FC and Hull KR voted against the 14-club proposal while champions Wigan abstained. Super League made a brief statement last night to confirm the news of the competition rising to 14 clubs. But Wood was not available for comment at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, another former RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer has returned to the sport. He will undertake a three-month project with Huddersfield Giants to try and secure them a new stadium.
Super League club chief defends "positive" change of increasing to 14 team comp'
Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington voted for a switch in 2026 and explains why
