The reported 2026 fixture list is "mad", "bizarre", "fiasco" etc, but it is typical of the RFL, with decisions made on the back of a fag packet.
A last minute decision was made to increase the number of Clubs in SL to 14 to avoid the loop fixtures - but no doubt also to meet the SL aspirations of a senior figure in the RFL. This decision was made without consideration of the funding arrangements or the full support of other SL teams or by the looks of it, little or no consultation with Sky. It is clear that no consideration was given to the impact on the game below SL or I would guess, no consultation with Clubs outside SL.
We are still in the dark about the future of Salford and there are still question marks over the finances of Featherstone and Halifax. What does the future hold for Newcastle, unless they can attract a wealthy backer? Do Clubs have any idea what central funding, if any, they will be getting in 2026 and beyond?
The truth is that RFL have no interest in the game outside SL and this approach is killing the game. It is reliant on a few wealthy backers to keep a few Clubs afloat and this can only lead to the long-term decline in the game, as those wealthy backers realise that their finances are not finite and losing £2m a year is not sustainable.
Personally, I agree with the 2026 fixture list based on league position/IMG gradings, as it should bring more competitive games. Good luck to Swinton, Midland Hurricanes and others if it means that they may be competing at the top of the table in 2026. You never know, it may well increase their crowds.
I would hope that the Championship Clubs themselves determine the fixture structure. It may well be that we have to live with a "mad", "bizarre" and a "fiasco" with the 2026 fixture list, which delivers competitive fixtures. Maybe time can then be taken to give careful consideration to the future long-term structure of the game, including distribution of central funding, the number of teams in SL and promotion and relegation.
We can only live in hope of the RFL approaching this with an open mind and throw away the fag packet, to enable an honest and independent review for the good of the game a a whole. I don't hold out much hope.
Well the number of clubs in the ‘also ran’ league is very fluid as we speak
salfraud ?
fev being taken to court for unpaid wages
fax - winding up order looming
newcastle ?
whitehaven ?
and the rest, May end up with a 15 team league anyway
another rfl farce
London away first game of the season, nightmare start for us I think
The Championship clubs need to take a more hardline with the RFL in my opinion, get together and say its not acceptable.
1. The RFL have not commented on how promotion and relegation will be decided for 2027. More importantly they have not commented if promotion and relegation for 2027 will even exist at all!
2. The fans still havent seen the fixture list for this new format of not playing everyone.
3. Salford and Featherstone are under serious financial threat to the extent they dont have squads in place. Pre-season is now under way and the league kicks off on the 18th of Jan.
Despite all this Widnes are expected to sell season tickets. How on earth with no fixtures or confirmation of the promotion method. Plan for the season and build a squad. I would be going absolutely crackers at the RFL if I was on the board at Widnes.
On a side note I would be absolutely amazed if Salford make it for kick off on the18th of Jan. Have the RFL learned nothing from last season. Set a deadline, if they miss it (they will) tell them to come back in 2027 with a fresh bid/team. Sadly time to let all the other teams get on with it now.
The fixtures were shown on Friday morning to a breakfast meeting of sponsors. They will be available for everyone to see on Monday or Tuesday.
Alan didn’t mind getting London away for our first match, hoping with them being a new team and a lot of their players hadn’t played together, we might be able to catch them cold, like we did with Toulouse last season.
@farnworth-viking yes Tuesday the 2nd of December. The club doing the right thing extending the early bird deadline. Salford and Featherstone included in the fixtures so in my opinion far from the finalised version.
The Championship clubs need to take a more hardline with the RFL in my opinion, get together and say its not acceptable.
1. The RFL have not commented on how promotion and relegation will be decided for 2027. More importantly they have not commented if promotion and relegation for 2027 will even exist at all!
2. The fans still havent seen the fixture list for this new format of not playing everyone.
3. Salford and Featherstone are under serious financial threat to the extent they dont have squads in place. Pre-season is now under way and the league kicks off on the 18th of Jan.
Despite all this Widnes are expected to sell season tickets. How on earth with no fixtures or confirmation of the promotion method. Plan for the season and build a squad. I would be going absolutely crackers at the RFL if I was on the board at Widnes.
On a side note I would be absolutely amazed if Salford make it for kick off on the18th of Jan. Have the RFL learned nothing from last season. Set a deadline, if they miss it (they will) tell them to come back in 2027 with a fresh bid/team. Sadly time to let all the other teams get on with it now.
Totally agree - with regard to the fraud situation they have stated that funds will be in place before 30th November - sounds familiar, just change date
so they have a day to do that !
if they do start, which personally I doubt they should start with a points deduction - same with fev, but in their case I would like them to be in the league