IMG release gradings for 2025 with 9 clubs Grade A; Wigan second-highest, Wakefield to return to Super League

Automatic promotion and relegation was scrapped in favour of rankings determined by scores across five ‘pillars’ - fandom, on-field performance, finance, stadium and community.

Based on those scores, clubs have been allotted A, B or C grades, with those in the top tier guaranteed a place in Super League, and the remaining places in the 12-team structure filled by the highest-scoring B grade clubs. Clubs have to score 15 or highest out of a maximum 20 to receive grade A.

St Helens have earned the highest score with 17.02.

Wigan Warriors have received the second-highest score 16.91, Leeds Rhinos third on 16.84 and Warrington Wolves (16.27), Hull KR (15.97) and Catalans Dragons (15.52) also retain their A grading.

Wakefield have undergone on and off-field improvements under their new ownership to improve to grade A score - securing the necessary grading points to return to the Super League competition after one season in the Championship, winning the Grand Final over Toulouse Olympique.

They will replace London Broncos in the top flight in the only change made - who improved their illustrative grading of 8.07 to 12.65, climbing from 24th to 14th in the rankings.

Castleford Tigers and Leigh Leopards have joined Wakefield in climbing from a B to A in the gradings.

Hull FC (14.51), Huddersfield Giants (14.48) and Salford Red Devils (13.97) are the three B-graded clubs who will complete the 2025 Betfred Super League.

Fixtures for the Betfred Super League, Championship and League One will be announced next month.