2026 London Broncos season
| 2026 London Broncos season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RFL Championship Rank | 1st | |||
| Challenge Cup | 3rd Round | |||
| RFL 1895 Cup | 1st Round | |||
| 2026 record | Wins: 8; draws: 0; losses: 1 | |||
| Points scored | For: 397; against: 90 | |||
| Team information | ||||
| Chairman | Gary Hetherington | |||
| Head Coach | Jason Demetriou | |||
| Captain | ||||
| Stadium | Plough Lane | |||
| Avg. attendance | 3,396 | |||
| High attendance | 4,380 | |||
| Top scorers | ||||
| Tries | Liam Tindall – 11 | |||
| Goals | Jimmy Meadows – 47 | |||
| Points | Jimmy Meadows – 110 | |||
| ||||
| ||||
The 2026 London Broncos season is the 47th year in the club's history and their first season under the ownership group of Darren Lockyer, Grant Wechsel and Gary Hetherington. It is their fifth season at Plough Lane as tenants of AFC Wimbledon. They are coached by new Head coach Jason Demetriou who is assisted by the returning Danny Ward. The Broncos will compete in the 2026 RFL Championship, 2026 Challenge Cup and the 2026 RFL 1895 Cup.
Ownership
In September 2025, following the conclusion of London's 2025 RFL Championship season, Darren Lockyer led an ownership group consisting of businessman Grant Wechsel, and Super League executive Gary Hetherington in the successful takeover of the London Broncos.[1][2]
Lockyer and his business partner Grant Wechsel have a 90% stake, with Gary Hetherington retaining a minority share in the club in the capital.[3][4]
Super League bid
In October 2025, with Toulouse Olympique and the York Knights selected for promotion, the London club were controversially overlooked for elevation to the Super League in favour of the Bradford Bulls.[5][6][7]
Following the decision, the club’s ownership group confirmed their commitment to the long-term vision, emphasising that they will compete in the Championship for the 2026 season with the goal of securing a Super League place in the future. [8]
Coaches
Mike Eccles relinquished his lead coach role at the end of the 2025 season after Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from the 2026 season.
This was confirmed after the Darren Lockyer led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025.[9][10][11][12][13] Eccles became the Director of Rugby & Performance at the Broncos.[14]
In September 2025 Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from 2026 onwards. This was confirmed was confirmed to be a three-year deal after the Darren Lockyer-led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025.[15][16][17][18][19][20]
In October 2025 Danny Ward returned to the club as assistant coach, taking the role after winning the Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers.[21] He returned to the club where he was the head coach for four years, assistant for three years and under 19s coach for two years, as well as spending four years as a player in the capital.
Re-branding and Reebok partnership
In October 2025 the Broncos signed a multi-year deal with the global sports brand Reebok as first team kit manufacturer as well as official supplier of teamwear and merchandise.[22]
The re-branding also involved a change in logo, as well as a move away from the black with a white chevron kits that had been the mainstay of the club for over a decade.[23]
The 2026 home kit shifted away from traditional London colours and moved to navy blue.[24][25] This move however did have connection to the away kits of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons, as well as a colour connection to the away kits of the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons. It also had a link to AFC Wimbledon with shades of blue being the traditional colours of Wimbledon F.C. as well as both clubs having all-white away kits.[26][27][28] Another link was the Union Jack or the Union Flag; with blue, red and white being the clubs colours on the field and their branding identity away from it.[29]
Training ground
In November 2025 the London Broncos moved to a new training base, taking over the former London Irish rugby union club facility in Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey. The Hazelwood complex will serve as the Broncos' new training ground and also their administrative base. The Broncos are the primary tenants at the site, however the London Irish Amateur side will still continue play their Regional 2 Thames level six games there.[30]
The Broncos' new administrative headquarters has four full size grass pitches, one full size 4G pitch, medical support centre, gym and a large clubhouse with an on-site chef and a licensed bar open to the public seven days a week.[31][32]
Captaincy
In January 2026 Wally Lewis presided over a ceremony in which Reagan Campbell-Gillard was named as captain of the London Broncos for the 2026 RFL Championship season, taking over from long-term captain Will Lovell.[33]
Reserves
In late 2025, the Broncos' hierarchy announced their intention to run a Reserves side alongside the first team.[34] In January 2026 it was confirmed that the London Broncos would feature in the 2026 Super League Reserve competition, with home games played at the clubs Hazelwood facility.[35]
Documentary series
Every aspect of the London Broncos season is being filmed for a planned documentary series. Both Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel have confirmed that it is being filmed, but have remained coy on where it is due to be broadcast.[36]
Television deal
In March 2026 the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea announced that it has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for all of the remaining London Broncos home matches for the 2026 season. PNG NBC will broadcast these home games across PNG and selected Pacific Island markets. In Papua New Guinea, NBC will feature all the matches LIVE on NBC Channel 1 along with a simulcast on NBC Radio.[37]
Pre-season friendly
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Venue | Tries | Goals | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Keighley Cougars | C-C | London Broncos | Sunday 11 January 2026 | 15:00 | Cougar Park | Cancelled due to freezing conditions | [38] | ||
Betfred Championship
Fixtures
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London Broncos | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 367 | 54 | +313 | 12 | League Leaders Shield and qualify for Qualifying Finals |
| 2 | Doncaster | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 197 | 86 | +111 | 10 | Qualifying Finals |
| 3 | Barrow Raiders | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 163 | 60 | +103 | 10 | Qualifying Semi-Finals |
| 4 | Widnes Vikings | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 178 | 158 | +20 | 10 | |
| 5 | Midlands Hurricanes | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 162 | 160 | +2 | 9 | |
| 6 | Newcastle Thunder | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 210 | 106 | +104 | 8 | |
| 7 | Sheffield Eagles | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 131 | 82 | +49 | 8 | Eliminators |
| 8 | Dewsbury Rams | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 118 | +22 | 8 | |
| 9 | Oldham | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 93 | +47 | 6 | |
| 10 | Rochdale Hornets | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 104 | 166 | −62 | 6 | |
| 11 | Keighley Cougars | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 152 | 138 | +14 | 5 | |
| 12 | Batley Bulldogs | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 118 | 96 | +22 | 4 | |
| 13 | Goole Vikings | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 114 | 184 | −70 | 4 | |
| 14 | North Wales Crusaders | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 148 | 256 | −108 | 4 | |
| 15 | Workington Town | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 114 | 146 | −32 | 3 | |
| 16 | Whitehaven | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 64 | 171 | −107 | 3 | |
| 17 | Hunslet | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 138 | 140 | −2 | 2 | |
| 18 | Salford | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 59 | 296 | −237 | 2 | |
| 19 | Swinton Lions | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 70 | 260 | −190 | 0 | |
| 20 | Halifax Panthers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 94 | 93 | +1 | −8[b] |
Notes:
Challenge Cup
| Round | Home | Score | Away | Match Information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Venue | Tries | Goals | Referee | Attendance | ||||
| 2 | London Broncos | 86–0 | Wests Warriors | Sunday 25 January 2026 | 14:00 | Athletic Ground, Richmond | Max 4, Tindall 3, Wallis, Voro 2, Hursey-Hord, Morea 2, Stock, Mathias, Kapinias | Meadows 7, Voro 2, O'Beirne 2 | Aaryn Belafonte | [46][47] |
| 3 | London Broncos | 8–26 | Bradford Bulls | Sunday 8 February 2026 | 15:00 | Cherry Red Records Stadium | Glare, Tindall | M. Griffiths | 3,477[48] | |
1895 Cup
| Round | Home | Score | Away | Match Information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Venue | Tries | Goals | Referee | Attendance | ||||
| Preliminary | London Broncos | 36-10 | Barrow Raiders | Sunday 15 March 2026 | 15:00 | Athletic Ground, Richmond | Kapinias, Tindall, Wallis, Webster-Mansfield Stock Bienek | Voro 6 | Aaryn Belafonte | [49][50][51] |
| 1 | London Broncos | Keighley Cougars | 18/19 April 2026 | [52][53] | ||||||
2026 transfers
Gains
Losses
| Player | From | Competition | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Natoli | Pia XIII Baroudeur | Super XIII | 1 year | 5 August 2025 |
| Christopher Hellec | Limoux Grizzlies | Super XIII | 1 year | 26 September 2025 |
| Luke Polselli | Toulouse Olympique | Super League | 1 year | 26 October 2025[76] |
Loans in
| Player | From | Competition | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Tchamambe | Wakefield Trinity | Super League | 1 year – until end of season | 21 October 2025[77] |
Squad
| First team squad | Reserves | Coaching staff | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Head coach Assistant coach
Updated: | ||||||
Squad statistics
Player appearances
| No | Player | 1 | 2R CC |
2 | 3R CC |
4 | 5 | 6 | PRE 1895 |
7 | 8 | 10 | 1R 1895 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 3* | 15 | 18 | 17* | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morea Morea | FB | FB | FB | FB | FB | FB | FB | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Elliot Wallis | WG | WG | WG | x | CE | CE | CE | CE | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Robert Mathias | CE | CE | CE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Alex Max | CE | CE | CE | CE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Liam Tindall | x | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Connor O'Beirne | SO | SUB | SUB | SH | SUB | x | SUB | SO | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Dean Hawkins | SH | SH | SO | SO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Reagan Campbell-Gillard | PR | x | PR | PR | PR | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Sam Davis | HK | HK | HK | HK | HK | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Marly Bitungane | SUB | x | SUB | SUB | PR | PR | x | PR | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Luke Smith | SR | x | SR | SR | SR | SR | SR | SR | SUB | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Jack Croft | SR | SR | SR | SR | SR | SR | SR | SH | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Siliva Havili | HK | x | LF | LF | LF | LF | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Finley Glare | SUB | SUB | HK | SUB | SUB | SUB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Sadiq Adebiyi | LF | x | LF | LF | SUB | SUB | SUB | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Epel Kapinias | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | PR | |||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Marcus Stock | x | LF | x | x | LF | SUB | PR | SUB | SUB | |||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Jimmy Meadows | SUB | HK | HK | SUB | SH | SO | SH | SH | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Ben Hursey-Hord | x | SUB | x | x | SUB | SUB | SUB | SUB | SUB | |||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Brandon Webster-Mansfield | x | x | x | CE | CE | CE | CE | CE | CE | |||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Will Lovell | x | SR | x | x | x | x | x | SR | SR | |||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Alex Walker | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | FB | FB | |||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Gairo Voro | SUB | SO | SH | SUB | SO | SH | SO | SO | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Lewis Bienek | SUB | PR | SUB | SUB | SUB | SUB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | Jeremiah Simbiken | x | x | SUB | SR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Neil Tchamambe | WG | x | x | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | WG | |||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Ted Davidson | x | x | x | x | x | x | CE | x | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Bobby Hartley | x | SUB | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Jake Ramsden | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||||
| – | Tommy Porter | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Players making their London Broncos debut in 2026
Notes
References
- ^ London Broncos Secure New Ownership Group With Super League Ambitions
- ^ Why Darren Lockyer bought a struggling British rugby league club
- ^ Gary Hetherington explains Darren Lockyer dynamic as London Broncos enter new era
- ^ Why Darren Lockyer is buying into London Broncos: ‘We’re rebuilding from scratch’
- ^ Bradford Bulls make shock Super League return via gradings system as Salford Red Devils drop out
- ^ "York and Toulouse to play in expanded Super League". 17 October 2025.
- ^ London Broncos overlooked for Super League promotion
- ^ "London Broncos Commit to Continued Growth and Future Super League Ambitions". londonbroncosrl.com. 17 October 2025.
- ^ Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
- ^ London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
- ^ London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
- ^ Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
- ^ Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
- ^ Mike Eccles’ new role confirmed as London Broncos double down on ‘excellence’ vision
- ^ Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
- ^ London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
- ^ London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
- ^ Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
- ^ Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
- ^ "Demetriou to join London Broncos as head coach". www.bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2025.
- ^ Hull KR announce Danny Ward exit with new club confirmed
- ^ London Broncos signs multi-year kit deal with Reebok amid rebrand
- ^ London Broncos unveil 'iconic' rebrand including two new logos and Reebok partnership
- ^ “The Wrexham of Rugby League”: inside the London Broncos rebrand
- ^ London Broncos unveil new look for 2026 with release of new kits
- ^ AFC Wimbledon
- ^ Wimbledon / AFC Wimbledon
- ^ PNG stars help launch London's Lockyer era in style
- ^ 157 - Darren Lockyer + Grant Wecshel
- ^ London Broncos move to major training facility once used by top rugby union club
- ^ London Irish RFC Complex
- ^ We are more than just rugby....
- ^ London Broncos name 2026 captain as ‘real leader’ appointed
- ^ Final Whistle: Will London Broncos be better off for Super League snub?
- ^ London Broncos Announce 2026 Reserves Fixtures
- ^ London Broncos owners plan documentary as rebrand details unveiled with name change update
- ^ NBC secures broadcast rights for London Broncos games
- ^ London Broncos’ trip to Keighley Cougars cancelled
- ^ London Broncos 44–12 Widnes Vikings
- ^ London Broncos London Broncos 25–8 Oldham
- ^ "Featherstone Rovers axed from Championship amid financial woes as second tier re-jigged". Love Rugby League. 9 January 2026.
- ^ Swinton Lions 6–84 London Broncos
- ^ London Broncos 106-18 North Wales Crusaders
- ^ London Broncos 66-6 Salford
- ^ "RFL approves Halifax Panthers membership and 2026 Betfred Championship entry". RFL. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 – First and Second Round draws details". Rugby Football League. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ Challenge Cup First and Second Round draws confirmed as Road to Wembley begins
- ^ Challenge Cup Third Round draw in full as Super League clubs learn opponents
- ^ Format and dates for 1895 Cup finally revealed
- ^ Fixture details confirmed for London Broncos 1895 Cup clash
- ^ London Broncos 36-10 Barrow Raiders
- ^ 1895 Cup Format Confirmed for 2026
- ^ 1895 Cup Preliminary and Round One Draws made
- ^ Broncos sign prop Campbell-Gillard
- ^ Aaron Bower (9 October 2025). "London Broncos land next big signing as South Sydney star snubs Super League interest to join". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Parramatta Eels halfback Dean Hawkins’ new club confirmed as London Broncos swoop
- ^ Salford Red Devils: Sam Davis’s Departure
- ^ London Broncos strong recruitment continues as Super League youngster and Salford Red Devils man sign
- ^ London Broncos land another promising forward in latest signing
- ^ PNG Rugby Talent Finley Glare Signs with London Broncos for 2026 Season
- ^ Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
- ^ PNG Star Gairo Voro Secures London Broncos Deal for 2026
- ^ Ben Olawumi (19 November 2025). "London Broncos swoop to sign next Papua New Guinea star as identity revealed". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos' Papua New Guinean contingent grows as former Leigh Leopards target joins". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Aaron Bower (13 November 2025). "Elliot Wallis signs for London Broncos following Huddersfield Giants exit". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Aaron Bower (16 November 2025). "Wakefield Trinity man set for switch to London Broncos in 2026". Love Rugby League.
- ^ "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
- ^ Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos set to land NRL duo on short-term deals as next steps outlined". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
- ^ Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos set to land NRL duo on short-term deals as next steps outlined". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ Bradford Bulls star James Meadows rejoins London Broncos
- ^ ANOTHER HUNTER SIGNED
- ^ Bradford Bulls star James Meadows rejoins London Broncos
- ^ Squad List
- ^ Aaron Bower (26 October 2025). "Toulouse land first 2026 signing as London Broncos star signs for Super League newcomers". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Wakefield Trinity's ex-Leeds Rhinos & Hull KR winger Neil Tchamambe makes loan move to Championship club
- ^ 2026 Championship Squad