Wakefield have matched 2025 champions Hull KR’s record grading score of 17.85 from 12 months ago, to continue their rise on and off the field under Matt Ellis’ ownership. In the same rankings last year they were eighth with a mark of 15.47, only just above the threshold for Category A status.
“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,” said RFL chief executive Ian Nolan.
“Their achievement sits alongside encouraging movement across the sport, from growing attendances and digital audiences to continued improvements in facilities and community delivery.”
Leeds Rhinos remain second, although their score of 17.03 is slightly lower than they achieved in the 2025 rankings.
Warrington Wolves have jumped from sixth to third on the back of a much stronger season which culminated in reaching the Grand Final at Old Trafford, only to lose to Wakefield.
It is fourth place again for Wigan, who won both the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ shield, just above Hull KR and Leigh Leopards. St Helens drop from third to seventh after a season in which they missed out on the play-offs for the first time in the Super League era.
Castleford Tigers complete the Category A clubs as they have risen from 11th in 2025 to eighth and move into the top-tier section despite finishing 13th in Super League.
Catalans Dragons and Hull FC are ninth and 10th, but both have fallen from an A to a B grade. Then come Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants, with Toulouse Olympique and York Knights, occupying 13th and 14th, albeit with higher scores than last year.
However, only six of the 14 Super League clubs have scored higher than they did 12 months ago.
But there was a significant gap to the teams outside. York’s score of 13.24 was comfortably higher than the next best, Barrow with 9.85, while London only achieved 9.77, which was down on their mark of 11.65 from last year.
Overall, 26 clubs were graded on this system,, external split into three categories, A, B and C.