York and Toulouse’s promotion to Super League means that the other Championship applicants – Oldham, Widnes Vikings, Doncaster and London Broncos – are unsuccessful and will play in an expanded second tier next season.
The decision not to include London Broncos in the new-look Super League comes at time when a proposed new ownership group comprising Australia legend Darren Lockyer, former Leeds Rhinos chief executive officer Gary Hetherington and businessman Grant Wechsel is set to take over.
The Wimbledon-based side have already appointed Jason Demetriou on a three-year deal to become their head coach and have signed former Australia international Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tonga hooker Siliva Havili for next season.
The Broncos finished 10th in the Championship last season. However, Wechsel previously stated that the ownership group would still commit funding even if the club did not move up to Super League for next season, something he reaffirmed following Friday’s announcement.
“While we are naturally disappointed not to have been promoted and respect the process the RFL ran, our belief in this project and our direction as a club will not waiver,” he said in a statement.
“The game of rugby league needs a strong London team, and we will not stop until we return our club to the top level of the game. Darren Lockyer and I are determined people, and today’s decision will serve as strong motivation to drive our success in 2026 and prove people wrong.
“Our goal is to win the Championship, strengthen every area of the organisation, increase our grading points across the board, and ensure that when we do reach Super League, we are ready to compete from day one.”
Oldham made some impressive signings this year, with Jack Ormondroyd, Ethan Ryan, Matty Foster and Ryan Brierley joining from Salford Red Devils, as they finished fourth in the table. However, there is to be no return to Super League for the club for the first time since 1997.
Likewise, Widnes will not make their return to the top flight for the first time since 2018 and Doncaster’s bid to join the game’s elite was also unsuccessful.
Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC also bid, but they were already assured of a Super League place for next season through Thursday’s IMG grading results.
