Huddersfield Giants Back 14-Team Super League Expansion

Huddersfield Giants have publicly backed the decision to expand Super League to 14 clubs from 2026, with managing director Richard Thewlis voicing strong support for the change despite ongoing uncertainty around the club's future stadium plans.

On Monday, clubs voted in favour of the new format, which will see 12 clubs qualify via grading, with two more added through recommendation by an independent panel. The decision was made following weeks of consultation across the sport.

Speaking after the vote, Thewlis said the club supported the move in the best interests of the game and to remain consistent with the process it helped shape.

“It’s beneficial to the competition firstly,” he said. “You hope representatives vote in the best interests of the game – and that’s what we did.”

He added that the recommendation to expand followed extensive research and stakeholder engagement, and to go against it at the final stage would have undermined the process.

“There does remain detail to work through,” Thewlis added. “But I’m confident it will be handled in a timely fashion. This feels like the beginning of a bright new era.”

Despite backing the league's expansion, the Giants are yet to confirm where they will play home matches in 2026. A possible temporary relocation to The Shay in Halifax has been discussed, though the club is reluctant to leave the John Smith’s Stadium (formerly the Accu Stadium) until a new permanent site is secured.

“No decisions have yet been made,” Thewlis confirmed. “Work continues behind closed doors daily. We understand fans want clarity, but there are complexities that still need to be resolved.”

To support the process, the club has recently appointed former RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer in a consultancy role to assist with long-term strategic planning.

“Once there is an update on our stadium plans, the club will make an announcement via official channels,” Thewlis said.