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2026 London Broncos season

2026 London Broncos season
2026 RFL Championship Rank5th
Challenge Cup3rd Round
RFL 1895 Cup1st Round
2026 recordWins: 3; draws: 0; losses: 1
Points scoredFor: 163; against: 46
Team information
ChairmanGary Hetherington
Head CoachJason Demetriou
Captain
StadiumPlough Lane
Avg. attendance3,396
High attendance4,380
Top scorers
TriesAlex Max - 7
GoalsMeadows & Croft - 7
PointsAlex Max - 28
Home colours
Away colours
← 2025 List of seasons 2027 →

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.

Coach Demetriou in conversation in January 2026
Darren Lockyer pitchside at London in January 2026
Mike Eccles, Grant Wechsel and Darren Lockyer on the pitch post-match in 2026

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]

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 London Irish Amateur will still continue play their Regional 2 Thames level six games there.[29]

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.[30][31]

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.[32]

Reserves

In late 2025, the Broncos' hierarchy announced their intention to run a Reserves side alongside the first team.[33] 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.[34]

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.[35]

Pre-season friendly

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 [36]

Betfred Championship

Main article: 2026 RFL Championship

Fixtures

Betfred Championship
Round Home Score Home Match Information
Date Time Venue Tries Goals Referee Attendance
1[37] London Broncos 44-12 Widnes Vikings Sunday 18 January 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium Hawkins 2, Max 2, Campbell-Gillard, Bienek, Wallis, Meadows Croft 6 Tara Jones 4,380
2[38] London Broncos 25-8 Oldham Sunday 1 February 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium Max, Campbell-Gillard, Mathias, Tindall, Glare Voro, Croft, Hawkins (DG) M. Lynn 2,330
3 Featherstone Rovers C–C[a] London Broncos Sunday 15 February 2026 15:00 The Millennium Stadium
4 Swinton Lions London Broncos Sunday 22 February 2026 15:00 Heywood Road
5 London Broncos North Wales Crusaders Saturday 28 February 2026 19:30 Cherry Red Records Stadium
6 Halifax Panthers London Broncos Sunday 8 March 2026 15:00 The Shay
7 London Broncos Salford Red Devils Sunday 22 March 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
8 London Broncos Batley Bulldogs Sunday 29 March 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
9 Bye
10 London Broncos Sheffield Eagles Saturday 11 April 2026 18:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
11 Doncaster London Broncos Sunday 26 April 2026 15:00 Eco-Power Stadium
12 Goole Vikings London Broncos Saturday 2 May 2026 15:00 Victoria Pleasure Grounds
13 London Broncos Midlands Hurricanes Sunday 10 May 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
14 Sheffield Eagles London Broncos Sunday 24 May 2026 15:00 Steel City Stadium
3* Hunslet London Broncos Sunday 31 May 2026 15:00 South Leeds Stadium
15 North Wales Crusaders London Broncos Sunday 7 June 2026 15:00 Eirias Stadium
16 Bye
17 London Broncos C–C Featherstone Rovers Sunday 21 June 2026 15:00 Twickenham Stoop
18 Batley Bulldogs London Broncos Sunday 28 June 2026 15:00 The Fox's Biscuits Stadium
17* London Broncos Hunslet Saturday 4 July 2026 15:00 Kuflink Stadium
19 London Broncos Doncaster Saturday 11 July 2026 19:30 Kuflink Stadium
20 Salford Red Devils London Broncos Sunday 19 July 2026 15:00 CorpAcq Stadium
21 Midlands Hurricanes London Broncos Sunday 26 July 2026 14:00 Alexander Stadium
22 Widnes Vikings London Broncos Sunday 2 August 2026 15:00 DCBL Stadium
23 London Broncos Goole Vikings Sunday 9 August 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
24 Oldham London Broncos Friday 14 August 2026 19:45 Boundary Park
25 London Broncos Halifax Panthers Sunday 23 August 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
26 London Broncos Swinton Lions Sunday 30 August 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium

Table

Backs and second-rows pre-match huddle, January 2026
London Broncos kicking off the season against the Widnes Vikings in January 2026
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Barrow Raiders 3 3 0 0 108 6 +102 6 League Leaders Shield & advance to Qualifying Finals
2 Rochdale Hornets 3 3 0 0 56 32 +24 6 advance to Qualifying Finals
3 Dewsbury Rams 3 3 0 0 80 60 +20 6 advance to Qualifying Semi-Finals
4 Newcastle Thunder 3 2 0 1 110 54 +56 4
5 London Broncos 2 2 0 0 69 20 +49 4
6 Doncaster 3 2 0 1 59 50 +9 4
7 Midlands Hurricanes 3 2 0 1 64 66 −2 4 advance to Eliminators
8 Widnes Vikings 3 2 0 1 62 68 −6 4
9 Oldham 2 1 0 1 52 25 +27 2
10 North Wales Crusaders 2 1 0 1 62 50 +12 2
11 Halifax Panthers 2 1 0 1 40 29 +11 2
12 Sheffield Eagles 1 1 0 0 11 4 +7 2
13 Keighley Cougars 3 1 0 2 62 64 −2 2
14 Goole Vikings 3 1 0 2 58 84 −26 2
15 Salford 3 1 0 2 35 100 −65 2
16 Hunslet 2 0 0 2 30 49 −19 0
17 Batley Bulldogs 2 0 0 2 22 44 −22 0
18 Swinton Lions 3 0 0 3 54 86 −32 0
19 Workington Town 3 0 0 3 24 82 −58 0
20 Whitehaven 3 0 0 3 10 95 −85 0
Updated to match(es) played on 15 February 2026. Source: RFL

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2026 Challenge Cup
2026 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 [40][41]
3[42] London Broncos 8-26 Bradford Bulls Sunday 8 February 2026 15:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium Glare, Tindall M. Griffiths 3,477
The Wests Warriors with ball against the Broncos in the Second Round of the Challenge Cup at the Athletic Ground, Richmond in 2026
London celebrate a try against the Wests Warriors in the 2nd Round of the 2026 Challenge Cup at the Athletic Ground, Richmond
Gary Hetherington pitchside pre-game against Oldham in February 2026
The Challenge Cup trophy pitchside pre-game against the Bradford Bulls in February 2026
The Hazelwood Centre, the new training and administrative headquarters of the London Broncos
A training pitch & the Hazelwood Centre running along the sideline
Three grass training pitches & a 4G pitch at the Hazelwood Centre

1895 Cup

Main article: 2026 RFL 1895 Cup
2026 RFL 1895 Cup
Round Home Score Away Match Information
Date Time Venue Tries Goals Referee Attendance
Preliminary[43] London Broncos Barrow Raiders 14/15 March 2026
1[44][45] London Broncos or Barrow Raiders Keighley Cougars 18/19 April 2026

2026 transfers

Gains

Player From Competition Contract Date
Australia Reagan Campbell-Gillard Gold Coast Titans NRL 6 October 2025[46]
Tonga Siliva Havili South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 9 October 2025[47]
Australia Dean Hawkins Parramatta Eels NRL 24 October 2025[48]
England Sam Davis Salford Red Devils Super League 24 October 2025[49]
England Jake Ramsden Warrington Wolves Super League 24 October 2025[50]
England Bobby Hartley Keighley Cougars RFL League One 28 October 2025[51]
Papua New Guinea Finley Glare PNG Hunters Queensland Cup 6 November 2025[52]
Papua New Guinea Robert Mathias Queensland Cup 10 November 2025[53]
Papua New Guinea Gairo Voro Queensland Cup 17 November 2025[54]
Papua New Guinea Epel Kapinias Queensland Cup 18 November 2025[55]
Papua New Guinea Morea Morea Central Queensland Capras Queensland Cup 7 November 2025[56]
Papua New Guinea Jeremiah Simbiken Castleford Tigers Super League 10 November 2025[57]
Nigeria Elliot Wallis Huddersfield Giants Super League 13 November 2025[58]
England Jack Croft Wakefield Trinity Super League 13 November 2025[59]
Australia Marly Bitungane North Queensland Cowboys NRL 1 year[60] 21 November 2025[61]
Australia Luke Smith Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 1 year[62] 21 November 2025[63]
England James Meadows Bradford Bulls RFL Championship 4 December 2025[64]
Papua New Guinea Alex Max PNG Hunters Queensland Cup 5 December 2025[65]
England James Meadows Bradford Bulls RFL Championship 4 December 2025[66]
England Tommy Porter London Broncos RFL Championship 23 January 2026[67]

Losses

Player From Competition Contract Date
Italy Ethan Natoli Pia XIII Baroudeur Super XIII 1 year 5 August 2025
France Christopher Hellec Limoux Grizzlies Super XIII 1 year 26 September 2025
Italy Luke Polselli Toulouse Olympique Super League 1 year 26 October 2025[68]

Loans in

Player From Competition Contract Date
England Neil Tchamambe Wakefield Trinity Super League 1 year - until end of season 21 October 2025[69]

Squad

2026 London Broncos squad
First team squad Reserves Coaching staff
  • England 27 Ted Davidson – CE
  • England 28 Bobby Hartley – SR
  • England 29 Jake Ramsden – SR
  • England -- Tommy Porter – HK
  • England -- Eddie Atherton – WG
  • England -- David Bofenda – WG
  • England -- Jack Hughes – PR
  • England -- Tyler Johnson-Thomas – SR
  • England -- Jasper McLachlan – HK, LF
  • Scotland -- Rob Oakley – LF, SR
  • England -- Charlie Randall – FB
  • England -- Will Randall – SH
  • Wales -- Matt Ross – LF, SR
  • England -- Gethin Svenson-Davies – PR
  • England -- Matt Tootill – HK

Head coach

Assistant coach

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Red card = suspended
  • red cross icon = injured

Updated:
Source(s): [70]

Squad statistics

Squad Number Name International country Position Previous club Appearances Tries Goals Drop Goals Points Notes
1 Morea Morea Papua New Guinea Fullback Central Queensland Capras 4 2 0 0 8
2 Elliot Wallis Nigeria Wing Huddersfield Giants 3 2 0 0 8
3 Robert Mathias Papua New Guinea Centre, Second-row PNG Hunters 3 2 0 0 8 red cross icon
4 Alex Max Papua New Guinea Centre PNG Hunters 4 7 0 0 28 red cross icon
5 Liam Tindall England Wing Hull FC 3 5 0 0 20
6 Connor O'Beirne Australia Scrum-half, Loose forward Lezignan 4 0 2 0 4
7 Dean Hawkins Australia Scrum-half Parramatta Eels 4 1 0 1 5 red cross icon
8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard Australia Prop Gold Coast Titans 3 2 0 0 8 red cross icon
9 Sam Davis England Hooker Salford Red Devils 0 0 0 0 0 red cross icon
10 Marly Bitungane Tanzania Prop North Queensland Cowboys 3 0 0 0 0
11 Luke Smith Australia Second-row Canterbury Bulldogs 3 0 0 0 0
12 Jack Croft England Second-row, Centre Wakefield Trinity 4 0 7 0 14 red cross icon
13 Siliva Havili Tonga Loose forward, Hooker South Sydney Rabbitohs 1 0 0 0 0 red cross icon
14 Finley Glare Papua New Guinea Hooker PNG Hunters 3 2 0 0 8
15 Sadiq Adebiyi Nigeria Second-row Keighley Cougars 3 0 0 0 0
16 Epel Kapinias Papua New Guinea Prop PNG Hunters 4 1 0 0 4
17 Marcus Stock England Second-row York Knights 1 1 0 0 4
18 James Meadows England Scrum-half Bradford Bulls 4 1 7 0 18
19 Ben Hursey-Hord England Loose forward Halifax Panthers 1 1 0 0 4
20 Brandon Webster-Mansfield Australia Centre Villefranche 1 0 0 0 0
21 Will Lovell England Second-row London Skolars 1 0 0 0 0
22 Alex Walker Scotland Fullback Halifax Panthers 0 0 0 0 0
23 Gairo Voro Papua New Guinea Stand-off PNG Hunters 4 2 3 0 14
24 Lewis Bienek Ireland Prop Castleford Tigers 4 1 0 0 4 red cross icon
25 Jeremiah Simbiken Papua New Guinea Second-row Castleford Tigers 0 0 0 0 0
26 Neil Tchamambe England Wing Wakefield Trinity 2 0 0 0 0 Loan
27 Ted Davidson England Centre London Broncos Academy 0 0 0 0 0
28 Bobby Hartley England Second-row Keighley Cougars 1 0 0 0 0
29 Jake Ramsden England Second-row Warrington Wolves 0 0 0 0 0
-- Tommy Porter England Hooker London Broncos 0 0 0 0 0

Notes

References

  1. ^ London Broncos Secure New Ownership Group With Super League Ambitions
  2. ^ Why Darren Lockyer bought a struggling British rugby league club
  3. ^ Gary Hetherington explains Darren Lockyer dynamic as London Broncos enter new era
  4. ^ Why Darren Lockyer is buying into London Broncos: ‘We’re rebuilding from scratch’
  5. ^ Bradford Bulls make shock Super League return via gradings system as Salford Red Devils drop out
  6. ^ "York and Toulouse to play in expanded Super League". 17 October 2025.
  7. ^ London Broncos overlooked for Super League promotion
  8. ^ "London Broncos Commit to Continued Growth and Future Super League Ambitions". londonbroncosrl.com. 17 October 2025.
  9. ^ Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
  10. ^ London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
  11. ^ London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
  12. ^ Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
  13. ^ Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
  14. ^ Mike Eccles’ new role confirmed as London Broncos double down on ‘excellence’ vision
  15. ^ Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
  16. ^ London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
  17. ^ London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
  18. ^ Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
  19. ^ Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
  20. ^ "Demetriou to join London Broncos as head coach". www.bbc.co.uk. 15 September 2025.
  21. ^ Hull KR announce Danny Ward exit with new club confirmed
  22. ^ London Broncos signs multi-year kit deal with Reebok amid rebrand
  23. ^ London Broncos unveil 'iconic' rebrand including two new logos and Reebok partnership
  24. ^ “The Wrexham of Rugby League”: inside the London Broncos rebrand
  25. ^ London Broncos unveil new look for 2026 with release of new kits
  26. ^ AFC Wimbledon
  27. ^ Wimbledon / AFC Wimbledon
  28. ^ PNG stars help launch London's Lockyer era in style
  29. ^ London Broncos move to major training facility once used by top rugby union club
  30. ^ London Irish RFC Complex
  31. ^ We are more than just rugby....
  32. ^ London Broncos name 2026 captain as ‘real leader’ appointed
  33. ^ Final Whistle: Will London Broncos be better off for Super League snub?
  34. ^ London Broncos Announce 2026 Reserves Fixtures
  35. ^ London Broncos owners plan documentary as rebrand details unveiled with name change update
  36. ^ London Broncos’ trip to Keighley Cougars cancelled
  37. ^ London Broncos 44-12 Widnes Vikings
  38. ^ London Broncos London Broncos 25-8 Oldham
  39. ^ "Featherstone Rovers axed from Championship amid financial woes as second tier re-jigged". Love Rugby League. 9 January 2026.
  40. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 – First and Second Round draws details". Rugby Football League. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  41. ^ Challenge Cup First and Second Round draws confirmed as Road to Wembley begins
  42. ^ Challenge Cup Third Round draw in full as Super League clubs learn opponents
  43. ^ Format and dates for 1895 Cup finally revealed
  44. ^ 1895 Cup Format Confirmed for 2026
  45. ^ 1895 Cup Preliminary and Round One Draws made
  46. ^ Broncos sign prop Campbell-Gillard
  47. ^ Aaron Bower (9 October 2025). "London Broncos land next big signing as South Sydney star snubs Super League interest to join". Love Rugby League.
  48. ^ Parramatta Eels halfback Dean Hawkins’ new club confirmed as London Broncos swoop
  49. ^ Salford Red Devils: Sam Davis’s Departure
  50. ^ London Broncos strong recruitment continues as Super League youngster and Salford Red Devils man sign
  51. ^ London Broncos land another promising forward in latest signing
  52. ^ PNG Rugby Talent Finley Glare Signs with London Broncos for 2026 Season
  53. ^ Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
  54. ^ PNG Star Gairo Voro Secures London Broncos Deal for 2026
  55. ^ Ben Olawumi (19 November 2025). "London Broncos swoop to sign next Papua New Guinea star as identity revealed". Love Rugby League.
  56. ^ Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos' Papua New Guinean contingent grows as former Leigh Leopards target joins". Love Rugby League.
  57. ^ Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
  58. ^ Aaron Bower (13 November 2025). "Elliot Wallis signs for London Broncos following Huddersfield Giants exit". Love Rugby League.
  59. ^ Aaron Bower (16 November 2025). "Wakefield Trinity man set for switch to London Broncos in 2026". Love Rugby League.
  60. ^ "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
  61. ^ 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.
  62. ^ "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
  63. ^ 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.
  64. ^ Bradford Bulls star James Meadows rejoins London Broncos
  65. ^ ANOTHER HUNTER SIGNED
  66. ^ Bradford Bulls star James Meadows rejoins London Broncos
  67. ^ Squad List
  68. ^ Aaron Bower (26 October 2025). "Toulouse land first 2026 signing as London Broncos star signs for Super League newcomers". Love Rugby League.
  69. ^ Wakefield Trinity's ex-Leeds Rhinos & Hull KR winger Neil Tchamambe makes loan move to Championship club
  70. ^ 2026 Championship Squad
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