SAINTS have earned the highest score in the first official club gradings which are today published as part of Rugby League’s long-term strategic partnership with IMG – and which determine membership of the Betfred Super League in 2025.
The club have scored 17.02 points out of the maximum of 20 available to clubs across five pillars – Fandom, Finance, Stadium, Community and On-Field Performance.
They are one of nine clubs to have secured an A grading which guarantees a place in Super League.
St Helens R.F.C. CEO Mike Rush said: “Our Club always strives to be a leader in the world of rugby league, on and off the pitch, and so we are pleased that St Helens has been issued a ‘Grade A’ by IMG and Rugby League Commercial.
“The support we have as a club from our fans, our sponsors and partners is greatly appreciated by all involved. We look forward to the 2025 Betfred Super League season.”
The other Grade As include Wakefield Trinity, who were relegated from the Super League in 2023 and received a B grade in the illustrative gradings that were released last autumn.
The club have undergone such a thorough on and off-field transformation under new ownership, including the opening of a new main stand, that the 0.25 bonus points they received for Saturday’s victory in the Betfred Championship Grand Final lifted them above the threshold of 15 points required for an A grade.
Wakefield’s near neighbours Castleford Tigers, and the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup winners Leigh Leopards, have joined Trinity in climbing from B to A in the gradings – again, both as a result of substantial improvements made in all areas since 2023.
Wigan Warriors are second in the rankings on 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. 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.
Outside the top 12 positions, London Broncos and Keighley Cougars have been the biggest improvers – although 20 of the 35 clubs increased their scores from the illustrative gradings of 2023.
The Broncos have converted their illustrative grading of 8.07 to 12.65, climbing from 24th to 14th in the rankings, while Keighley have risen from 30th to 19th, with the increase in their score from 6.58 to 9.02 meaning they have also improved their grade from C to B.
Barrow Raiders and York RLFC have also risen in the rankings of B graded clubs, and Workington Town are now the highest ranked C grade club with 7.26, a climb of seven positions.
The more detailed assessments sent to clubs show that 20 have increased their score in the finance pillar, and the same number have improved their fandom score, largely driven by progress against the digital standards.
Three clubs have increased their Community score, with London Broncos’ striking rise helped considerably by the launch of the club’s first Community Foundation in the last year.
Fixtures for the Betfred Super League, Championship and League One will be announced next month.