Bradford replace Salford in Super League for 2026

Bradford Bulls have been promoted to Super League for 2026 and will replace Salford Red Devils after they were awarded the highest Grade B status under the sport’s grading system.

It means the Bulls, a dominant force during the 2000s, will return to the top flight after an 11-year absence filled with financial troubles and a stint in the third-tier League One in 2018.

Iconic head coach Brian Noble returned to the club during 2025 and steered them to third in the Championship but they were knocked out in the play-offs at the semi-final stage by eventual Grand Final winners Toulouse.

Their grading moves them up from 16th in 2024 to 10th in 2025, surpassing the scores of existing Super League sides Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants, who came 11th and 12th respectively.

Gradings are conducted by media giant IMG under Rugby League Commercial’s ‘Reimagining Rugby League’ initiative, which assesses clubs based on performance, on and off the field.

Salford, who have been plagued with financial issues before and after a takeover earlier this year, received a lower B grading putting them 15th in the rankings, having finished bottom of Super League during a tumultuous season with the late payment of wages and a mass player exodus.

Salford lost most of their first-team players over the course of 2025, and fielded line-ups filled mainly with youth-team prospects as they conceded 1,129 points in 27 league games at an average of 41.8.

Their failure to attain the necessary grading points means their short-term future is unclear and also means that if they do continue in 2026, they will play outside of Super League for the first time since 2008.

Earlier this year, Super League’s 12 current clubs voted to expand the competition to 14 teams from next season – the first time the league will have operated with that number since 2014.

Friday’s decision will be made by a panel chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine as well as two non-executive RFL directors Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, RFL chief executive Tony Sutton, interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant, RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Super League (Europe) board member Peter Hutton.

Treble-winning Hull KR lead the 2025 rankings with a total score of 17.85 out of a maximum of 20 – the highest score achieved by any club since the grading system was introduced in 2023.

The Robins, who followed up their Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield honours by beating Wigan in the Super League Grand Final, lead the rankings ahead of Leeds (17.28) in second and last year’s highest-ranked club St Helens (16.74) in third.

Hull KR’s rise is impressive, given they were sixth in the initial indicative rankings in 2023 and fifth last season.

Saturday’s beaten finalists Wigan (16.37) drop to fourth despite reaching a third consecutive Grand Final while Leigh (16.33), Warrington (16.26), Catalans (16.11), Wakefield (15.47) and Hull FC (15.06) close out the Grade A clubs – the latter regaining that status having climbed from 10th last season.

Bradford (14.81), Castleford (14.66) and Huddersfield (14.65) round out the top 12 teams, with Championship Grand Final winners Toulouse finishing 13th (13.25) ahead of second-tier League Leaders’ Shield winners York (13.04).

Salford edge out London Broncos who are placed 16th with a score of 11.65, however the Wimbledon-based side are joined in their Grade B status by Featherstone (9.75), Barrow (9.62), Widnes (9.39), Sheffield (8.47), Batley (8.16), Halifax (8.15), Doncaster (7.85) and Oldham (7.51).

Hunslet (6.87), Dewsbury (6.74), Workington (6.57), Swinton (6.54), Whitehaven (6.23), Rochdale (5.52), Goole (5.46), Midlands Hurricanes (4.89) and North Wales Crusaders (4.88) make up the Grade C teams.

Clubs were awarded points – and a grade – based on five categories: fandom, performance, finances, stadium and community, with a maximum of 20 points on offer.