London Broncos closing in on Super League return after expansion vote
London Broncos' return to Super League has moved a step closer after clubs voted to expand the competition to 15 teams.
The Broncos are widely expected to be selected as the 15th club when the Rugby Football League opens the application process, which is viewed as little more than a formality.
Clubs will finally be able to press ahead with plans for next season once the process is complete.
"Super League (Europe) Ltd has today held a shareholders' meeting to determine how many clubs will take part in the competition in 2027," read a statement released on Wednesday morning.
"Having agreed in favour of moving from 14 to 15 clubs, SLE has passed their decision on to the Rugby Football League Board.
"The RFL Board will now set out criteria and assemble a panel to run the process to judge against it.
"A recommendation will be made in due course."
Clubs also approved changes to salary cap regulations, including dispensation for players who miss eight consecutive matches through injury or illness, allowing them to be removed from the cap while sidelined.
A separate young player dispensation will allow clubs to trial players aged 23 or under who have not previously featured in a salary cap-relevant match, with their cap value increasing according to the number of appearances they make.
The biggest development is the prospect of London returning to Super League after two seasons in the Championship.
The ambitious Broncos had set their sights on promotion for the 2026 campaign, only to miss out in favour of York Knights and Toulouse Olympique.
London instead romped to the Championship treble and now look set to reclaim their place at the top table.
The uncertainty surrounding the latest Super League expansion has overshadowed the start of pre-season.
Most clubs have begun training without knowing when the new campaign will get under way, although it now looks certain to begin in late January, with every club receiving two bye rounds.