Super League clubs face IMG grading shake-up as 'closed shop' warnings grow

How the new system works

The performance component of the IMG grading is worth a total of six points this year, up from five. Rather than looking at a single season, the Rugby Football League now calculates a club’s score using a rolling average of their finishing positions over the two most recent seasons.

This calculation does not rely solely on final league tables; it also factors in play-off progression. For example, Wigan Warriors topped the regular season table but were eliminated in the semi-finals, ranking them third overall in this season's performance metrics. Wakefield Trinity, meanwhile, take the top spot after winning the Championship Grand Final.

Because of the extra point injected into the system, almost every club is set to record a higher score on paper than they did last year.

Wakefield rise as Hull KR slide

Wakefield Trinity are the runaway beneficiaries of the new cycle. Their performance score is projected to jump by 2.758 points, a rise driven by their Championship title and the drop-off of their older, lower-ranked seasons. This surge could put them in contention for the top spot on the overall IMG leaderboard.

Wigan Warriors also see a significant rise of 1.250 points, taking them to 5.250 out of six. Their consistent top-three finishes and a bonus 0.25 points for winning the Challenge Cup make them the highest-performing team on paper. Warrington Wolves are another major climber, up 1.163 points to reach 4.706.

Other notable increases include Leeds Rhinos, up 0.950 points despite a late-season collapse, and Castleford Tigers, whose 0.786-point rise boosts their bid to secure Grade A status. Even struggling sides like Hull FC and Championship outfit Bradford Bulls will see their scores tick upward simply because of the expanded points scale.

In contrast, Hull KR are the only club whose performance score has dropped. Having won the treble last year, their failure to secure silverware this season has dragged their score down from 4.885 to 4.558.

The threat of a 'closed shop'

While clubs scramble over decimal points, the wider game is grappling with the governance implications of the IMG era. Critics have warned that the grading system risks turning the Super League into a closed shop.

By shifting the focus to off-field criteria and multi-year performance averages, the traditional threat of instant relegation for finishing bottom of the table has been effectively removed. Ambitious clubs in the lower leagues argue that the path to the top flight has become artificially blocked, protected by a system that rewards historical consistency and stadium facilities over current sporting merit.

Compounding this tension is the ongoing talk of a prospective deal with the NRL. If that partnership materialises, there is a widespread belief within the sport that the entire IMG grading structure could be rendered redundant before it is fully established. For now, however, the decimal points remain the only game in town.