Wakefield Trinity's triumphant return to the Betfred Super League is marked by a top-tier 'A' grade, securing their place through off-field improvements and strong on-field performance, while sparking potential discussions about league expansion.
Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis has celebrated his club's 'great achievement' following the official confirmation of their return to the Betfred Super League, thanks to the release of IMG's initial gradings. Although they secured a decisive 36-0 victory over Toulouse in the Championship Grand Final, Wakefield's promotion depended on satisfying the new points-based criteria for the 2025 season.
Wakefield’s off-field advancements, such as the inauguration of a new 2,500-capacity stand, were pivotal in earning one of the nine prestigious 'A' grades. This grade safeguards the club from relegation, as long as they maintain their current standards. Reflecting on this success, Ellis commented, 'It's a great achievement by everyone at the club. We've rebounded, and the score we've received is the icing on the cake.'
Wakefield accumulated 15.09 points, boosted by the 0.25 points gained from their Grand Final victory over Toulouse. St Helens led the gradings with 17.02 out of 20, followed by Wigan with 16.91 and Leeds with 16.84. Other clubs that retained their 'A' grades include Hull KR, Warrington, and Catalans Dragons, while Leigh and Castleford joined Wakefield in reaching top-tier status.
Though Hull FC lost their 'A' grade because of challenges in their on-field performance, they, along with Huddersfield and Salford, maintained their status in the Super League. Salford just managed to stay ahead of Toulouse by less than half a point, preventing the French team from entering the top tier.
The grading system, which replaces automatic promotion and relegation, assesses clubs in five categories: fandom, on-field performance, finance, stadium, and community. RL Commercial chief executive Rhodri Jones acknowledged that the results could initiate further discussions on expanding the Super League from 12 to 14 teams by 2026. He noted, 'Based on there being nine grade A clubs, that conversation starts sooner than expected.'
Wakefield's return to the Super League has caused little controversy, as they are replacing the London Broncos, who were at the bottom of the rankings. The Broncos made significant progress in the standings, rising from 24th to 14th place with a score of 12.65. However, London's future remains uncertain as they continue to search for new support.
Keighley, recognized for their resistance to the grading system, climbed 11 places to 19th with a Grade B score of 9.02, making them one of the system's most significant beneficiaries.
