RFL approve Halifax Panthers' return to Championship
Halifax Panthers will return to Championship action this weeked after the Rugby Football League granted membership to a newly-formed club.
The future of rugby league in the town – with the Panthers having had their RFL membership removed in February and placed into compulsory liquidation in a High Court hearing – looked bleak, after missing fixtures against Sheffield Eagles and Barrow Raiders.
But the RFL have approved Halifax’s return – they host London Broncos on Sunday at The Shay – after a board meeting, “following extensive work from a number of parties and a detailed application from the directors of the new entity to help ensure professional rugby league can continue in the West Yorkshire town”.
It means Halifax can now play out the remainder of the 2026 campaign although they have been hit with a 12-point deduction.
RFL interim chief executive, Abi Ekoku, said: “The Rugby Football League is delighted to welcome Halifax back into the 2026 Betfred Championship.
“We understand the trauma to players, staff and fans in recent weeks; but remained hopeful that the club would have a chance of survival. That has proved to be the case, primarily down to an exceptional community, corporate and political effort.
“We wish them well for the rest of the competition and will continue to support them in that endeavour.”
Martyn Buchan, a local businessman who has led negotiations with the governing body for the new club, said: “It’s a great relief that Halifax Panthers will participate in 2026 to continue their 153-year membership of the Rugby Football League.
“Thanks to all the invested staff, sponsors, the governing body and the Calderdale Council who have helped make it possible for this to happen.
“The RFL has been really supportive in getting us to this stage and now, over this next period of time, we’ll be focusing on simplifying our model and doing more in the community for the good of rugby league in Halifax.”
The new club has five directors: Adam Butterfield, Jason Clough, Christopher Brooke, Benjamin Walker and John Coulter.
With some players having left Halifax, head coach Kyle Eastmond must now assemble a new squad to face London.
Loan deals are understood to be in the pipeline, while 14 players remain from the squad which started the 2026 season.