Wakefield Trinity's triumphant 2026 season has propelled them to the summit of Super League's Club Grading rankings, capping a remarkable turnaround for the West Yorkshire outfit.
The club's Grand Final success on Saturday, which ended a 58-year drought for silverware, has been reflected in their grading performance. They achieved a score of 17.85 out of 20 across the assessment model—the highest mark recorded by any club in 2026 and equalling the joint-highest score ever recorded, which Hull KR set in 2025.
From 2026 onwards, participation in the grading process became voluntary rather than compulsory. The final rankings therefore represent only those clubs who elected to participate, rather than a comprehensive assessment of every Super League and Championship side.
Wakefield's rise from eighth place in the previous year's rankings represents the most significant year-on-year improvement of any club, with a gain of 2.38 points. According to Love Rugby League's analysis, their on-field performance score alone increased by 2.758 points, with an additional 0.75 bonus points awarded under the Performance pillar for their Grand Final triumph.
The grading framework assesses clubs across five distinct pillars: Fandom, Finance, Stadium, Community and On-Field Performance. Trinity's success across these areas secured them a Grade A classification, placing them among eight clubs to achieve that status in 2026.
Wakefield's journey to the top has been swift. The club faced relegation from Super League in 2023 after receiving an indicative grading score of 12.52, which ranked them 11th at that time. They bounced back immediately by winning the Championship Grand Final in 2024, earning Grade A status and promotion back to the top flight. They then reached their first Super League semi-final in 2026 after eliminating Leigh Leopards in the play-offs, before going on to claim the Grand Final.
According to the RFL's official records, Wakefield Trinity were crowned 2026 Betfred Super League champions, cementing their status as one of the competition's elite performers.
The top-eight Grade A clubs are completed by Leeds Rhinos in second place with 17.03 points, Warrington Wolves in third with 16.72 after reaching the Grand Final, and Wigan Warriors in fourth with 16.46 following their League Leaders Shield success. Hull KR, last year's Treble winners, occupy fifth position with 16.45 points, while Leigh Leopards (16.31), St Helens (15.59) and Castleford Tigers (15.03) round out the Grade A contingent.
Castleford's eighth-place finish represents a significant recovery, having dropped to 11th in 2025 before climbing back to Grade A status. In contrast, Catalans Dragons and Hull FC have both slipped from Grade A to Grade B classification. Catalans fell from seventh to ninth with a score of 14.83, while Hull FC dropped from ninth to 10th with 14.72 points.
The remaining Grade B clubs in the top 14 are Bradford Bulls (13.93), Huddersfield Giants (13.50), Toulouse Olympique (13.44) and York Knights (13.24). All 14 clubs who featured in the top tier last year have retained their places and are now automatically guaranteed Super League spots in 2027.
Wakefield become the fourth different club in as many years to claim top spot in the rankings since the process began. Leeds Rhinos held the position in 2023, St Helens in 2024, and Hull KR in 2025.
Beyond the Super League's top 14, a dozen Championship clubs participated in the grading process—some purely for their own benchmarking purposes. Five Grade B clubs emerged from the Championship contingent. Barrow Raiders rank highest among the second-tier sides in 15th place overall, while London Broncos, who won the Championship Grand Final, moved up to 16th position.
Doncaster RLFC achieved the second-highest year-on-year improvement among all participating clubs, gaining 1.36 points and climbing from 23rd to 17th after contesting Sunday's Championship title decider against London. Widnes Vikings also secured Grade B status in the Championship rankings.
Ian Nolan, RFL Chief Executive, commented on Wakefield's achievement:
Wakefield Trinity's rise to the top of the 2026 Club Grading rankings is a fascinating story for Rugby League, and a strong example of how sustained progress on and off the field can be recognised through the grading framework.
He added:
Their achievement sits alongside encouraging movement across the sport, from growing attendances and digital audiences to continued improvements in facilities and community delivery. The RFL will keep working with clubs to support responsible growth, long-term resilience, and the strongest possible future for the professional game.
