What are IMG gradings and how do they work?

Rugby league clubs in Super League, the Championship and League 1 are graded by a points-based grading system to determine their league status.

In 2023, the majority of clubs voted in the proposal to rank clubs based on criteria formulated by media giant IMG in partnership with Rugby League Commercial.

The system ranks clubs from one to 35, with the 12 teams with the most points earning a place in the top-flight.

However, Super League is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams next season, with the expansion taking place by combining the current club grading system with an independent panel.

There are also plans to merge the existing Championship and League 1 structure into one league, but there will be no announcement on the fixture format until after Super League's line-up for 2026 is confirmed on Friday, 16 October.

How does IMG grading work?

All clubs in Super League, the Championship and League 1 are reviewed and given a grade based on the following criteria, with a maximum 20 points on offer.

• Fandom [5 points]: Attendance (2.5pts), viewership (1pt) and digital engagement with fans (1.5 pts - 0.2pts social following, 0.8pts website visits, 0.5pts total engagement)
• Performance [5pts]: Teams rated 1-35 in terms of league position over three seasons as well as performances in cup competitions (0.75pts for winning Super League, 0.25pts for the Challenge Cup, 0.25pts for the Championship, 0.1pts for League One, and 0.1pts for the 1895 Cup)
• Finances [4.5pts]: Income, financial stability, diversity of revenue streams, and business performance
• Stadium [3pts]: Quality of facility and capacity of stadium (1.5pts), owning the stadium (0.25pts), match-day experience (LED advertising boards 0.125pts, big screen 0.125pts), utilisation (1pt)
• Community [2.5pts]: Success of foundations as charitable arms (1pt), and how much competition for supporters in local area (1.5pts for catchment area of over 260,000 people)

To achieve a grade A ranking, clubs must score 15 points or higher, or 7.5 to receive a B grading.

Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons, Hull KR, Leigh Leopards, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers were awarded grade A in 2024.

Super League sides Hull FC, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils all achieved grade B status - with the latter receiving the lowest IMG grading in the top-flight. Toulouse Olympique achieved the highest grade of the Championship clubs.

League One side Keighley Cougars are set to receive no grading for 2025 after failing to submit their data on time. Whitehaven and Batley Bulldogs were also not graded in 2024.

Nine clubs submitted applications to join the expanded Super League, including Bradford Bulls, Doncaster, London Broncos, Oldham, Toulouse, Widnes Vikings and York Knights.

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