2026 British Speedway AGM – Statement

FOLLOWING this week’s AGM held in Rugby, British Speedway Promoters Ltd can now verify preparations for the 2026 season.

Beneath is a abstract of key factors arising from the AGM together with Board membership, competitors and crew constructions, and rule adjustments.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
British Speedway Promoters Ltd are happy to welcome Mark Lemon and Rob Lyon onto the Board of Administrators.

Mark and Rob be part of present Board members Rob Godfrey (Chairman), Damien Bates (Vice-Chairman) and John Campbell.
Alex Harkess retains his function as President.

PREMIERSHIP

5 groups have been confirmed to contest the 2026 season: Belle Vue, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Leicester and Sheffield. Makes an attempt are nonetheless being made to incorporate a sixth crew within the Premiership.

The factors restrict has been set at 37 for six riders, with every crew to be accomplished by a Rising Star in keeping with the present standards.

Rising Stars have been chosen by groups in reverse order from their league ending place in 2025, with groups having safety on their present Rising Star ought to the rider nonetheless meet the factors.

The alternatives 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 groups assembly twice house and away over the course of the season, while a change has been made to the play-off format on account of league numbers.

The play-offs will now be contested by the highest three groups, with the league leaders going straight to the Ultimate while the second and third-placed groups will contest the semi-final.
Ought to a sixth crew be part of the Premiership, the play-off format would revert to being contested by the highest 4 groups.

The Knockout Cup will proceed, and golf equipment are to stage additional discussions over a possible third competitors, which might run with another format.

CHAMPIONSHIP

All 9 groups will return to contest the 2026 season: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington.

The factors restrict stays at 40 for a crew of seven riders, with an additional requirement that every crew could solely embody one rider with a match common above 8.00 of their preliminary declaration.

The Championship league format stays unchanged with groups assembly as soon as house and away over the course of the season, with the highest 4 groups then contesting the play-offs.

The KO Cup and BSN Collection competitions will even proceed, and dates for the Finals of those competitions can be fastened within the calendar from the beginning of the season

Dates and venues for Main Occasions are to be confirmed.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The next rule adjustments have been agreed and can be included within the 2026 SCB Rules:

SUPER HEATS: A match which is drawn after Warmth 15 will now not be adopted by a Tremendous Warmth, with each groups receiving one league level solely.
A Tremendous Warmth will now solely be staged within the occasion of combination scores after house and away matches being tied, to be able to resolve the Combination Level, or to determine which crew progresses in a two-legged competitors.

RETURNING RIDERS (CHAMPIONSHIP ONLY): If knowledgeable British rider has not ridden in earlier seasons, they could apply for a discount on their earlier Championship common of 8 per cent for annually lacking. It’s hoped that this may present some help to riders who’ve taken day trip of the game, and who at the moment are as soon as once more in search of crew locations.

CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS: First selection of gate choice for the Ultimate will now go to the membership with the very best rating within the assembly. Beforehand this standards was utilized for the semi-finals, whereas first selection gate choice within the Ultimate was decided by a coin toss.

BRITISH DEVELOPMENT
5 groups have to date confirmed entries for the 2026 Nationwide Improvement League, with the potential for as much as three extra groups to hitch them.

It’s anticipated {that a} assembly of NDL golf equipment will happen earlier than the tip of January to be able to verify preparations for this league.

No matter whether or not or not a membership participates within the NDL, the requirement stays for all golf equipment to help British Improvement and to subsequently present some type of racing alternative at this stage through the season.

British Speedway Promoters Ltd want to thank everybody for his or her help in 2025, and likewise for his or her endurance while work has continued on preparations for the brand new season.
We’re very sorry to see the lack of Birmingham as a result of unavailability and subsequent demolition of Perry Barr Stadium, however we’re happy to welcome again all different golf equipment from 2025.

Following current media hypothesis, BSP Ltd stay totally dedicated to efforts to introduce the game to new venues, and certainly to return the game to established venues the place we all know robust help stays.

We look ahead to an thrilling 2026 season and can present particulars on fixtures and so forth in the end.

Phrases by British Speedway – Characteristic Picture courtesy of Mark Lee Sing