BRADFORD Bulls look set to gain elevation to Super League – without even making the Championship Grand Final.
And Coldplay are playing an unlikely role in the battle, and arguments, over ranking points.
Tomorrow sees the top 12 clubs in rugby league’s strategic partner IMG’s grading scheme, which form the top flight for 2026, revealed.
Now it is understood the fallen giants – who went from world champions in 2006 to liquidation in 2017 – will be in, replacing stricken Salford.
Bradford finished 16th in last year’s grading, behind 2025’s Championship winners Toulouse, who defeated York (14th) and ambitious London Broncos (15th).
Their promotion will spark an outcry over their dilapidated Odsal facility – which only has one covered, seated stand and two huge concrete terraces.
Latest available ‘unaudited financial statements’, until November 2024, show profits of £410,000, at a time when many Super League clubs are declaring hefty losses.
And a note signed by chief executive Jason Hirst states: “The company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
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“The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.”
There are also concerns over apparent temporary run-off areas as a stock car track cuts into them.
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Then there is the Bulls’ link to the current Rugby Football League senior executive director, Nigel Wood – the former chairman who only quit as a director in March.
Friday will see an independent panel decide whether Super League will expand to 14 clubs, with Toulouse and London, who have already announced Jason Demetiou as coach following their takeover by Aussie millionaire Grant Wechsel and rugby league icon Darren Lockyer, firming as favourites.
Ex-Kangaroos Test star Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tonga hooker Siliva Havili have already ‘committed’ to the 2026 season.
Part of IMG’s assessment includes 0.2 points given for social media following, which has sparked another row – involving multi-million selling band Coldplay.
Three clubs, believed to be Hull FC, Huddersfield and St Helens, are said to have complained about Hull KR reporting a near 225 per cent increase in numbers over the 15 months to October.
The nearest rise is Leigh’s 36 per cent, while half the top flight reports a rise of less than 12 per cent.
However, SunSport understands much of that figure is down to Rovers hosting Coldplay concerts in August.
Insiders say targeted adverts to the band’s following paid off, as many viewed the treble winners’ platform and decided to follow.
