London Broncos are closing in on a place in the Super League next year a club vote.
Wimbledon-based Broncos are expected to stave off rivals after the Super League vote opened a tender process. The likes of Doncaster and Widnes Vikings could try and join rugby league’s top flight in 2027. The club is owned by an Australian consortium fronted by Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer.
The Broncos are seen as favourites amid potential investment by the NRL into Super League. The Australian league is the sport’s biggest competition with bosses Down Under keen on the involvement of London. The side would become the only English club in the top flight based south of Warrington.
“Super League (Europe) Ltd has today held a shareholders’ meeting to determine how many clubs will take part in the competition in 2027,” a statement from the league said.
“Having agreed in favour of moving from 14 to 15 clubs, SLE has passed their decision on to the Rugby Football League Board.
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London Broncos into Super League?
It is understood that a decision on London’s inclusion could be made at the start of next week. Furthermore a broadcast deal announcement is expected soon. Dazn and Sky Sports are set to share the broadcasting rights for the 2027 Super League season.
But the league doesn’t currently have a title sponsor after Betfred ended a number of sponsorship commitments across rugby and horse racing following Chancellor John Healey’s Budget last month, which saw tax hikes slapped on the betting industry.
London Broncos stormed to the Championship title this season. They won 23 of their 24 matches and scored over 1,500 points throughout their domestic campaign.
Alongside Lockyer in the ownership group is mining magnate Grant Wechsel and former Leeds Rhinos chief Gary Hetherington but there are also some reports of investment interest in the club from NRL stakeholders.