FOLLOWING this week’s AGM held in Rugby, British Speedway Promoters Ltd can now confirm arrangements for the 2026 season.
Below is a summary of key points arising from the AGM including Board membership, competition and team structures, and rule changes.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
British Speedway Promoters Ltd are pleased to welcome Mark Lemon and Rob Lyon onto the Board of Directors.
Mark and Rob join existing Board members Rob Godfrey (Chairman), Damien Bates (Vice-Chairman) and John Campbell.
Alex Harkess retains his role as President.
PREMIERSHIP
Five teams have been confirmed to contest the 2026 season: Belle Vue, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Leicester and Sheffield. Attempts are still being made to include a sixth team in the Premiership.
The points limit has been set at 37 for six riders, with each team to be completed by a Rising Star according to the existing criteria.
Rising Stars have been selected by teams in reverse order from their league finishing position in 2025, with teams having protection on their existing Rising Star should the rider still meet the criteria.
The selections have been made as follows: Belle Vue – William Cairns ; Ipswich – Jason Edwards ; King’s Lynn – Jody Scott ; Leicester – Dan Gilkes ; Sheffield – Luke Killeen.
The Premiership league format will see teams meeting twice home and away over the course of the season, whilst a change has been made to the play-off format due to league numbers.
The play-offs will now be contested by the top three teams, with the league leaders going straight to the Final whilst the second and third-placed teams will contest the semi-final.
Should a sixth team join the Premiership, the play-off format would revert to being contested by the top four teams.
The Knockout Cup will continue, and clubs are to stage further discussions over a potential third competition, which could run with an alternative format.
CHAMPIONSHIP
All nine teams will return to contest the 2026 season: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington.
The points limit remains at 40 for a team of seven riders, with a further requirement that each team may only include one rider with a match average above 8.00 in their initial declaration.
The Championship league format remains unchanged with teams meeting once home and away over the course of the season, with the top four teams then contesting the play-offs.
The KO Cup and BSN Series competitions will also continue, and dates for the Finals of these competitions will be fixed in the calendar from the start of the season
Dates and venues for Major Events are to be confirmed.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following rule changes have been agreed and will be included in the 2026 SCB Regulations:
SUPER HEATS: A match which is drawn after Heat 15 will no longer be followed by a Super Heat, with both teams receiving one league point only.
A Super Heat will now only be staged in the event of aggregate scores after home and away matches being tied, in order to resolve the Aggregate Point, or to establish which team progresses in a two-legged competition.
RETURNING RIDERS (CHAMPIONSHIP ONLY): If a professional British rider has not ridden in previous seasons, they may apply for a reduction on their previous Championship average of 8 per cent for each year missing. It is hoped that this will provide some assistance to riders who have taken time out of the sport, and who are now once again seeking team places.
CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: First choice of gate selection for the Final will now go to the club with the highest score in the meeting. Previously this criteria was applied for the semi-finals, whereas first choice gate selection in the Final was determined by a coin toss.
BRITISH DEVELOPMENT
Five teams have so far confirmed entries for the 2026 National Development League, with the potential for up to three more teams to join them.
It is anticipated that a meeting of NDL clubs will take place before the end of January in order to confirm arrangements for this league.
Regardless of whether or not a club participates in the NDL, the requirement remains for all clubs to support British Development and to therefore provide some form of racing opportunity at this level during the season.
British Speedway Promoters Ltd wish to thank everyone for their support in 2025, and also for their patience whilst work has continued on arrangements for the new season.
We are very sorry to see the loss of Birmingham due to the unavailability and subsequent demolition of Perry Barr Stadium, but we are pleased to welcome back all other clubs from 2025.
Following recent media speculation, BSP Ltd remain fully committed to efforts to introduce the sport to new venues, and indeed to return the sport to established venues where we know strong support remains.
We look forward to an exciting 2026 season and will provide details on fixtures etc in due course.
Words by British Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Mark Lee Sing
