Rugby League is poised for its most significant transformation in decades as a revolutionary club grading system threatens to reshape the Super League landscape, putting traditional heartland clubs including Hull's two major teams in potential jeopardy.
The End of Automatic Promotion and Relegation
Gone are the days when on-field performance alone determined a club's fate. From 2025 onwards, Super League places will be awarded based on a comprehensive scoring system that evaluates clubs across multiple criteria beyond mere match results.
The new framework, developed in partnership with global sports agency IMG, assesses clubs on five critical pillars: fandom, performance, finances, stadium facilities, and community engagement. Each category carries significant weight in determining which clubs deserve top-flight status.
Hull Clubs Face Uphill Battle
Both Hull FC and Hull KR, despite their rich histories and passionate supporter bases, face considerable challenges under the new regime. Initial assessments suggest neither club currently meets the elite standards required for guaranteed Super League status.
With grading scores to be reassessed annually, the pressure is mounting for both clubs to improve their facilities, financial stability, and overall operations to secure their long-term futures in the top division.
What the New System Means for Rugby League
- Performance matters, but isn't everything: While winning matches remains important, it now constitutes just part of the overall assessment
- Financial sustainability becomes crucial: Clubs must demonstrate sound financial management and commercial viability
- Stadium standards under scrutiny: Facilities must meet modern expectations for both fans and broadcasters
- Community engagement rewarded: Clubs that actively serve their local communities gain valuable points
- Annual reassessment: No club can rest on its laurels with grades reviewed every year
The Road to 2025
Clubs have been given a clear timeline to adapt to the new system. The current season remains unaffected, but from 2025 onward, the grading scores will directly determine Super League composition.
For historic clubs like Hull FC and Hull KR, the message is clear: evolve or risk being left behind in rugby league's new era. The coming months will see intense efforts across both organisations to improve their scores before the crucial assessments begin.
This represents perhaps the biggest structural change in British rugby league since the switch to summer rugby in the 1990s, signalling a fundamental shift in how the sport values and rewards club operations beyond mere sporting achievement.
