Sport
Rugby Football League announce they will be merging second and third divisions from next year
The new Betfred Championship rolls out in 2026.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) will be combining the Championship and League One divisions next year as part of a larger restructuring.
Besides the push for phasing out automatic promotion and relegation with the top flight, these will be among the biggest changes in the RFL since the creation of the Super League.
Revealing their plans earlier this week, the rugby authority confirmed that the second and third-tier divisions will be merging, with the changes set to be implemented from 2026 onwards.
Confirmed in a lengthier statement online this past Wednesday, 27 August, the update reads: “The RFL Board have confirmed that the Betfred Championship and League One competitions will be combined in a single division outside the Betfred Super League (BSL) in 2026.
“This follows the decision to expand Super League from 12 clubs to 14, subject to conditions – which was taken by the existing Super League clubs last month.
“A number of fixture formats are being developed following consultation with the Championship and League One clubs, but there will be no final announcement until after the number and identity of clubs in each of the two expanded competitions is confirmed, on Thursday, October 16.
“However, the reversion to a single division outside Super League means the Middle Eights that had been scheduled for the end of the 2025 season, as a means of determining promotion and relegation between Championship and League One, will no longer take place.”
It’s also worth noting that these changes will also see the proposed Super 8s end-of-season fixtures scrapped, as the 12 teams set to compete in the playoff-style tournament are obviously now being combined into one league moving forward.
Asdetailed in the latest communication from the RFL, the League One champions’ prize of £25,000, as well as the usual trophy and medals promised at the start of the season, are still up for grabs; the Championship Play-Offs will still also take place as scheduled.
The winners of the Betfred Championship Grand Final are to receive £100k and 0.25 club grading points.
Commenting on the impending overhaul, Rugby League Commercial Chair Nigel Wood OBE – who headed up the latest strategic review – said: “Following the decision of the Betfred Super League clubs that the elite competition should expand to 14 clubs in 2026, subject to conditions, this is a logical and equally exciting next step.
“The Championship and L1 clubs have been extensively consulted and were virtually unanimous that the two divisional structure for the part-time game wasn’t working as well as it ought, particularly League One – and it is a great credit to the Championship clubs that they recognised that position.”
Reiterating the belief that this is the best way to support and promote “historic and ambitious clubs” outside of the BSL, helping boost attendances, finances and hopefully future investment. It remains a touchy subject for some, though.
What do you make of the RFL merging the Championship and League, and do you think it’s the right step for the future of rugby league?
Read more: Dominic Calvert-Lewin makes debut to forget as Leeds equal unwanted record
Featured image - Keith Seabridge (via Flickr)
Sport
Leeds to make history as the host for Tour de France Femmes 2027
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Leeds and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s a big sporting landmark for us Leeds lot.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race will be passing through Leeds next summer whilst the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be hosted here.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
Exciting times, right?
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
"Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
‘Allez Tour de France!’
Read more: Leeds confirm signing of Brighton youngster on loan
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)
Sport
Leeds confirm signing of Brighton youngster on loan
Danny Jones
Leeds United have confirmed another January signing, bringing in Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Facundo Buonanotte on loan until the end of the season.
An exciting little deal that adds even further strength in depth to their attacking options.
The Argentinian attacking midfielder, who has often been deployed as a winger, has already shown plenty of early promise at his parent club, not to mention further impressing as a loanee at Leicester City during the 2024/25 season.
Buonanotte was loaned out to Chelsea last year, but only made a total of four appearances during the spell, and will now spend the remainder of the current campaign with Daniel Farke's Leeds.
Being unveiled at the Thorp Arch training centre on Thursday, 15 January, the 21-year-old forward is among what The Whites will hope is set to be fresh batch of signings this transfer window, with the team being linked with a number of names this winter.
One player who is set to arrive at Elland Road imminently is Leeds United fellow youth talent, Leonard Ngenge - a Nigerian defender who signed a pre-contract ahead of his 18th birthday.
Meanwhile, Buonanotte is set become just the fourth South American international to represent the Yorkshire club (bonus points if you can name the others).
Penning a short-term temporary contract, it is not thought that the deal for the Rosario Central academy product involves an option to buy.
Chelsea had actually hijacked his transfer back in the summer following an initial approach from Leeds, but has ultimately struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge in 25/26.
Looks like he's made a better decision this time around.
The Argentine prospect enjoyed the best term of his professional career with the Foxes, scoring half a dozen times and assisting three times in 35 appearances.
He will wear the number 40 shirt.
In case you haven't seen a showreel of finishes and assists before, you can see some Facundo Buonanotte highlights during his breakout period for Brighton HERE.
Happy with your newest recruit, Leeds fans, or do you still want some more names coming in before you're satisfied?
Read more:
Featured Images — Leeds United (via official website)
