Super League has said its shareholders have agreed to expand the league from 14 clubs to 15 for the 2027 season.

The league expanded from 12 to 14 teams in time for 2026, allowing Bradford Bulls, York Knights and Toulouse Olympique to join, with Salford Red Devils dropping out after a financially tumultuous 2025 campaign.

It will be the first time the league has operated with 15 clubs, with the top flight running with 12 for much of its existence apart from spells with 14 teams in 2000, from 2009 to 2014 and last season.

"[Super League (Europe)] has passed their decision on to the Rugby Football League board," a league statement said.

"The RFL Board will now set out criteria and assemble a panel to run the process to judge against it.

"A recommendation will be made in due course."

The expansion means that London Broncos could be in line to rejoin Super League, having won the Championship Grand Final and 1895 Cup last season.

The Broncos came in 16th on the yearly grading list, below fellow Championship side Barrow Raiders, despite a season in which they set the pace in the second tier.

The club - which now has the backing of Australian businessman Grant Wechsel and former Brisbane Broncos star Darren Lockyer - was overlooked 12 months ago when Bradford, York and Toulouse joined the expanded 14-team competition for 2026.

Super League is yet to agree a new title sponsorship deal, finalise broadcast negotiations or even its fixtures for the 2027 campaign.

It is understood any completed investment deal with Australian governing body the National Rugby League (NRL) would insist on Broncos featuring in the top flight.

BBC Rugby League commentator Matt Newsum

It appears the final hurdles to the London Broncos' inclusion in the 2027 Super League competition are finally being overcome after the member clubs agreed to the expansion to 15 clubs.

The Broncos are ready to make the leap, backed by the finance of Australian mining businessman Wechsel and former Australia star Lockyer, after a season of dominance in the second tier.

They actually graded lower than Championship rivals Barrow under the system created by the game's strategic partner IMG, because the data is taken from a three-year cycle and the season post former owner David Hughes' investment in the club has to be taken into account.

Yet the forecast financially would put London well ahead of their peers as borne out by their recruitment, and their ability to weather a lack of central funding as part of their conditions in joining the top flight.

The NRL and its chairman Peter V'landys have maintained London are a major part of their proposals, with an investment deal also hoped to be completed, albeit expected to be deferred until 2028.

London were far too good for the second division last season and, unlike some of their peers, are ready to make the transition immediately.

However, depending on how the RFL board criteria and panel is set up, there may be criticism for a grading system that sceptics might say carries little weight, given its scores can be cast aside should the situation require it.