Sheffield Tigers issue verdict on 2026 before committing future to Speedway Prem
While last year there was only uncertainty, this winter there is just clarity as Sheffield Tigers look to build on their run to the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership final last month.
It was last September when Sheffield’s co-owner Damien Bates announced he and his family would be pulling out of their promotion of the Tigers with the club put up for sale.
It led to many questions about the future of the Owlerton Stadium operation that was only cleared up in January when Bates committed a u-turn and reaffirmed the family’s commitment.
Long-standing team boss Simon Stead admitted it had been a worrying time but with the fears allayed, he was able to put a team on the shale that went all the way to the Premiership grand final for a second time in four years.
Now, barely a month after losing that two-legged title decider to Belle Vue Aces, Stead and the Tigers have been afforded a full off-season to prepare for the tape going up on 2027 in March.
For Sheffield’s bosses have committed to the club’s participation in the 2027 Premiership where they will once again take their place against returning rivals Belle Vue, Northampton Leicester, Ipswich and King’s Lynn.
Sheffield co-owner Bates said: “To say we had a very unsettled winter break last year with plenty going on, as well as the fact we didn’t officially confirm our entry into the league until January, I think we can deem 2026 a success in many ways.
“We want to say a big thank you to the sponsors who came on board quite late on to back us and also to the supporters who had to be very patient along the way.
“On track, I’d say it was alright; we made the Grand Final without doing anything too spectacular - but now we want to do even better in 2027.
“It was nice to have a lot of continuity in 2026, but I do think we need to freshen the team up a little bit for next year and bring some new faces into the club.
“Some changes we’ll be forced into, some will be our own choice, but we’re already deep into the process of talking to riders and on top of the Rising Star selection, hopefully we’ll be in a position to announce our full 1-7 this side of Christmas.
“We’re already on the lookout for sponsors and people who want to get involved - anyone interested are urged to e-mail [email protected]."
British Speedway have also confirmed some rule and format changes.
In the league, clubs will once again compete over a two-home, two-away league format, with the top four qualifying for the play-offs.
There will also be a Cup competition starting on a mini-league basis, meaning each club is guaranteed a minimum of 12 home matches. In a switch of groups from 2026, Northampton will now compete with Belle Vue and Sheffield whilst holders Leicester will now go up against Ipswich and King’s Lynn. The two group winners will qualify for the final.
The Premiership points limit remains at 37 for the top six riders, with teams to be completed by a Rising Star, with criteria amended as these places will now be available to British riders under the age of 21 (as of January 1, 2027) and whose Premiership average, if they have previously appeared in the top-flight, is under 3.50.
Following discussions within the Speedway League Bureau, all clubs will then be required to track a second Under-21 rider of any nationality, whose average (actual or assessed) will be included in the points limit for the top six riders in the team.
The decision has been reached between leagues in Great Britain, Poland (Ekstraliga and Ekstraliga 2), Sweden and Denmark.
Rising Stars will be selected in the usual way, in that clubs will have protection on their existing Rising Star if they still meet the criteria, and selections will then be made from the list in reverse order from 2026 Premiership finishing positions.