Salford Red Devils relegated from rugby league Super League
They will be replaced by Bradford Bulls in 2026
Salford Red Devils have been relegated from rugby league's Super League for the 2026 season, and will be replaced by former champions Bradford Bulls.
Salford, beset by an ongoing financial crisis that saw them fail to fulfil a fixture against Wakefield in August, plunged to 15th place in the rankings.
With the club having failed to apply for consideration for one of the two prospective expansion places, it means their 17-year Super League stay is over.
The top 12 clubs in the gradings are automatically guaranteed Super League status, with the identity of two additional clubs, making up an expanded 14-team competition, decided by a panel and set to be announced on Friday.
The Bulls jumped to 10th place in the IMG club gradings announced on Thursday, after finishing 16th in last year's gradings.
Three clubs appear to be in realistic contention for the two prospective expansion places, in the form of Championship Grand Final winners Toulouse, regular season champions York, and newly-invigorated London Broncos.
Toulouse and York occupy 13th and 14th places in the list and will expect to be rewarded, but on-field performance will only be one criteria in the decision, made by a panel chaired by RFL non-executive director Lord Caine.
Hull KR's treble-winning season saw them jump five places to the top of the rankings on 17.85 points, ahead of Leeds and St Helens.
Nine clubs, up to and including ninth-placed Hull FC on 15.06, attained a Grade A ranking, making them immune from relegation next season.