London Broncos have been excluded from Super League for the 2027 season despite an extraordinary 2026 campaign that saw them claim three major trophies. The club’s omission came after the annual IMG gradings, which determine the composition of the competition’s 14 franchises.
The Australian-backed outfit’s treble-winning year included capturing the Championship Grand Final, the 1895 Cup, and topping the regular-season standings. Despite these achievements, their performance in the IMG gradings told a different story, with London Broncos finishing 16th in the assessment system that evaluates clubs across multiple metrics beyond on-field success.
Championship Clubs Leap Ahead
The grading system saw other Championship sides surpass London Broncos in the rankings. Barrow Raiders were among the Championship clubs that finished ahead in the IMG assessment, highlighting how the evaluation process extends beyond league performance to encompass factors such as infrastructure, governance, and sustainability.
Backing from Rugby League Figures
The club has received support from prominent figures in rugby league circles. Grant Wechsel, an Australian businessman, has been instrumental as the club’s main backer, while Darren Lockyer, a former Brisbane Broncos star, has lent his support to the organization. Despite this backing and the domestic success achieved during the 2026 season, these factors proved insufficient to overcome the IMG grading results.
Super League Stability Amid Broncos’ Exit
All 14 of the existing Super League clubs have retained their positions for the 2027 season, ensuring continuity across the competition’s established franchises. This decision underscores how the IMG grading process, while permitting movement between divisions, ultimately prioritized the stability of the current Super League lineup over promoting even successful Championship performers.
London Broncos’ exclusion represents a significant outcome for a club that delivered on-field success across multiple competitions but fell short in the broader evaluation framework used to determine top-flight status in English rugby league.