Rugby League Commercial and IMG have today revealed the club grades for professional rugby league clubs, and St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that the Club has again received the highest-rated grade of 'A'.
Clubs that are graded ‘A’ are guaranteed participation in the Super League (as long as the grade is maintained), and the Saints are one of eight clubs with ‘Grade A status’. All 14 clubs that featured in the top 14 last year have retained their places, and they are now automatically guaranteed a spot in Super League in 2027.
Grading involves five pillars – Fandom, Finance, Stadium, Community and On-Field Performance.
With a score of 15.59, St.Helens has been ranked 7th in this third official year of club gradings.
The maximum available score for clubs is out of 20, based on analysis of clubs’ performances under five pillars, which are: Fandom, Performance, Finance, Stadium, and Community.
CEO of St.Helens R.F.C. Abi Ekoku said: “Gradings for clubs are an important way to measure progress across an organisation, and there are several areas in which we continue to perform strongly.
“Our focus, however, is always on continuous improvement, and we know the areas where we must improve. That will be a focus for everyone at the Club, and we will be working hard to make sure our overall performance reflects the standards we set for ourselves at St.Helens.”
From 2026, completion of the Grading process was not mandatory. The final ranking therefore reflects the clubs who chose to take part in grading, rather than a ranking of every club across Super League and the Championship. The full rundown of all clubs’ gradings for 2026 can be viewed below.
Ian Nolan, RFL Chief Executive, said: “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.
“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.”
Full details of the five pillars are published in the 2026 Grading Handbook here.
