Betfred Super League 2026 applications – Update

Oldham are among nine clubs, seven from the Championship, to have submitted an application to join an expanded 14-team Betfred Super League in 2026.

Deadline for submission was a week ago and Oldham chairman Bill Quinn, the main man behind the club's most significant move for years, has publicly thanked managing director Mike Ford, his fellow director Jin Minton, and Liam Norbury, for all their hard work in the preparation of the massive submission.

It will be club chairman Bill Quinn's money, knowledge, and business expertise which underpins this red-letter day in the club's history, but he has handed over the baton to others, especially the man best-known to the game's VIIPs — front man Ford — to take the plaudits for this momentous occasion in the club's history. In fairness to Ford, it is his reputation in both codes of rugby — and his march to the top as first player and then more latterly as coach, that makes his link-up with Bill Quinn such a formidable force.

If Lockyer and Hetherington are a titanic twosome, what are Quinn and Ford — the man with the money and the man who captained his country in League and was a leading coach in Union with Ireland, with England, with leading clubs and with the British and Irish Lions?

It is true that Oldham are not among the favourites to get the nod, but they have set out their stall; they are going for it; and can anyone present a better case for inclusion?

It will be at least very interesting to check the verdict — and to see how Oldham would fare at super-dooper level if they did get the vote.

The applications will now be considered by the seven-strong Panel that was appointed last month, with a decision to be announced on the composition of next season’s Super League on Thursday, October 16.

The first 12 positions will be determined by the Club Grading process, as for the 2025 season, with the Panel to decide whether there are sufficiently strong applications to add another two clubs to form a 14-team competition in 2026.

The nine applications include two from existing Betfred Super League clubs – Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC.

The other seven are from clubs in the Betfred Championship, as follows (in alphabetical order): Bradford Bulls, Doncaster, London Broncos, Oldham, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings, York Knights.

Lord Caine will chair the Panel, joined by two fellow non-executive RFL directors – Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power – plus Tony Sutton and the RFL’s interim Head of Legalities. Graeme Sarjeant.

Rugby League Commercial’s Managing Director Rhodri Jones; and Peter Hutton, the senior independent non-executive director of RL Commercial who is also a Super League (Europe) Board member.

In addition to the five pillars under which clubs are judged in the Club Grading System (Fandom, Performance, Finances, Stadium and Community), the panel will judge applications against a further set of criteria relating to Finance and Sustainability and playing strength.

These include their financial performance in 2025; detailed financial performance and sustainability forecasts for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons; and their ability to field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond.

For the latter, analysis will be provided by the RFL’s England Performance Unit.

It is understood Oldham will not go for 1 to 12, but will instead aim for one of the few 'new' places if, indeed, the panel considers there is enough evidence to consider increasing to 14.