An amateur rugby league club have submitted a bid to the RFL to partner with London Broncos and replace them in the Championship, if they gain Super League promotion.

Bedford Tigers, who were unsuccessful in applying to be part of League One in 2025 when Goole Vikings successfully bid, have shared a statement to confirm that they are continuing their goal of making it to the Championship.

Currently, London Broncos are the only true southern team in the Championship with other teams outside of the traditional rugby league heartlands including Newcastle Thunder, Birmingham Hurricanes and North Wales Crusaders.

However, London are very keen to be promoted to Super League and the NRL, who are in the process of agreeing an investment deal with Super League, also want the Broncos in the top tier.

As such, Bedford have announced that they have ‘submitted a business plan to the RFL to replace them (London Broncos) in the Championship’. Given the club’s previous bid to enter League One, it should perhaps come as no surprise and the Tigers would do so as part of their partnership with the capital club.

Club propose plan to replace London Broncos in the Championship amid expected Super League promotion

Posting on social media, Bedford explained: “The move as a joint venture would serve to further the partnership that the two clubs have shared over the past couple of years since our last application to the professional game.”

As part of the venture so far, players have moved between the two clubs with Tigers players representing the Broncos reserves this past season, whilst Euan Parke moved from London to Bedford as well.

Bedford stated: “The on field blueprint already exists and both clubs would form a very strong professional pathway in the south of England, something that shouldn’t be ignored if the future of the sport is to improve following this year’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

“A fully professional backroom staff are agreed in principle with commercial, coaching and board room level experience all waiting to get started.”

It would be a very significant decision to move Bedford into the Championship should London be promoted to Super League, which is expected to happen as part of a 15-team competition.

However, the formats and structures of both leagues has not yet been announced, nor have start dates, despite most clubs starting pre-season this week. As such, a decision is expected very soon with fixtures for the 2026 Super League season announced late November last year, which is just a matter of weeks away now.

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