The London Broncos are currently in a unique position, having secured 20 consecutive wins in the Championship following their victory over Widnes Vikings on Sunday. This impressive run means they are expected to win the grand final with a squad featuring Super League-standard players, including former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
However, their path to Super League is not solely determined by their on-field performance. Unlike most sports, rugby league's top flight access is decided by an IMG-devised gradings system, which evaluates clubs on various metrics each October. This means the Broncos must wait three more months to learn their fate, with owners expressing concern they may not accumulate enough grading points.
Owners Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel, who saved the club last year, have invested millions with the goal of not only returning London to Super League but making them competitive. Wechsel noted that staffing levels are now at Super League standard, but the multi-year weighting of the grading system impacts their score. He also stated that securing Super League status is crucial for attracting top talent from Australia and for the club's long-term vision.
There is speculation that if the NRL takes control of Super League in the coming weeks, London could be included due to the capital's importance for global expansion plans. Interim NRL CEO Peter V’Landys has publicly expressed a desire for London to be in Super League. The Broncos have ambitious plans, including playing in Las Vegas in 2028 and hosting a double-header with a regular season NRL game in London, should they gain promotion.
In the immediate future, London has four league games remaining in their pursuit of an unbeaten Championship campaign, with Goole Vikings visiting Wimbledon this Sunday. The club's and the sport's vision for London remain in limbo until the autumn grading decisions.