✨ Explore this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖
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💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:
The Premier League season may be over and the Ashes series is on its way, but there is still the question of who will occupy the top-flight places in 2026.
Earlier this year, the current 12 Premier League clubs voted to expand the competition to 14 teams from next season, the first time the league has operated with that number since 2014.
Club rankings will continue under media giant IMG and Rugby League Commercial’s ‘Reimagine Rugby League’ initiative, with the top 12 clubs according to these criteria to be determined on Thursday (10:00 GMT).
Meanwhile, another announcement of two more successful teams will be made on Friday (10:00 GMT) based on the decision of a seven-person panel – chaired by Lord Keane.
The committee will judge applications based on each club’s financial performance in 2025, as well as its financial performance and sustainability outlook for the period 2026-2028 and its ability to “put together a competitive team in 2026 and beyond”.
With financially distressed Salford Red Devils unlikely to be able to retain their place in the Premier League next season, three teams from the Championship look set to gain promotion to the top flight in 2026.
BBC Sport has taken a look at the seven Championship clubs that have applied to join the big league, ranked according to their finish during the 2025 season.
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