The Cab Direct Championship is arguably essentially the most eagerly anticipated British Speedway League to get underway in 2026, and with all 9 groups saying their full 1-7’s and with the primary official (BSN Collection) match already going down, it’s time to deep dive into the lineups and get out our crystal balls and make our predictions for the season.
Photographer Brett Thurlow has supplied us with the images for this text and in addition offers us his predictions for the Championship marketing campaign forward!
Berwick Bandits
Berwick look robust on paper, particularly on the prime finish, the place their warmth chief trio could possibly be probably the most potent within the league.
Peter Kildemand brings each factors and leisure house and away, whereas Nick Morris gives consistency as a confirmed warmth chief. Victor Palovaara impressed final season and, if he can ship that stage extra repeatedly, completes a really robust prime three.
The second strings add additional energy. Jye Etheridge returns seeking to push in the direction of warmth chief standing, whereas Lasse Fredriksen is somebody who has query marks by his identify — but when he finds kind, Berwick’s prime 5 could possibly be among the many greatest within the league.
At reserve, Jack Smith brings expertise and stability, and beginning the season with a well-known membership may swimsuit him effectively. Alongside him, Australian newcomer Reid Battye arrives with a robust popularity from again house and can profit from having an skilled facet round him.
If Battye settles shortly and contributes constantly, Berwick may show very tough to beat. With a robust prime three and stable backing all through the group, the Bandits have the components to be real contenders if all the pieces clicks
Key Rider: Reid Battye – If the Aussie can dwell as much as expectations and the Bandits have a high-scoring reserve duo, they will be robust to beat
Prediction:
Paul: third within the desk, shedding out within the Semi Finals of the Play-offs
Brett: sixth
Their line-up
Nick Morris
Peter Kildemand
Victor Palovaara
Jack Smith
Jye Etheridge
Lasse Fredriksen
Reid Battye
Edinburgh Monarchs
Edinburgh have made an announcement with the signing of Dan Thompson, who switches from rivals Glasgow and now steps into a real primary function. His sharpness from the tapes ought to swimsuit Armadale, and he appears to be like prepared to steer the facet.
Justin Sedgmen stays a key determine and a rider carefully related to the Monarchs’ success. On his day he’s a prime performer, however larger consistency — significantly away from house — might be vital if Edinburgh are to problem.
Paco Castagna provides each factors and presence, whereas Kye Thomson gives robust help and will push into the highest three if his kind continues to develop.
Jonatan Grahn gives reliability within the second string function, though Edinburgh may have just a little extra depth general. The reserve pairing of Jordy Loftus and Mitchell Cluff has potential, however each are nonetheless comparatively inexperienced at this stage and could possibly be examined over the course of the season.
If their prime finish delivers constantly, Edinburgh have the potential to compete — however energy in depth may show the deciding issue.
Key Rider: Jordy Loftus and Mitchell Cluff. The Monarchs really want one among their reserves to step as much as the plate.
Prediction:
Paul: ninth
Brett: ninth
Their line-up
Justin Sedgmen
Dan Thompson
Jordy Loftus
Paco Castagna
Kye Thomsen
Mitchell Cluff
Jonatan Grahn
Glasgow Tigers
Glasgow look set to be probably the most entertaining sides in 2026, with Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth and Leon Flint all returning to kind a robust, hard-racing warmth chief trio.
At reserve, Freddy Hodder stays with the membership after a stable 2025 and might be anticipated to construct on that kind. Glasgow may have him to hit the bottom operating, significantly with two newcomers to British Speedway in Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Mario Häusl, who may take time to adapt.
Sam Hagon provides additional energy and has a wonderful document at Ashfield, the place he has claimed two British Beneath-21 titles. That familiarity with the circuit may show a serious asset, particularly within the early a part of the season.
If the brand new signings settle shortly, Glasgow have the makings of a really aggressive facet — however their early-season kind could hinge on how shortly these riders discover their ft.
Key Rider: Once more, two, for Glasgow. To achieve success, they want one or each of their new riders, Kevin Juhl Pederson and Mario Hausl, to have a profitable debut season.
Prediction:
Paul: 4th, shedding within the playoff semi-finals
Brett: 1st – third within the Play offs
Their line-up
Chris Harris
Kyle Howarth
Leon Flint
Freddy Hodder
Kevin Juhl Pedersen
Mario Hausl
Sam Hagon
Oxford Cheetahs
Sam Masters as soon as once more leads Oxford in 2026 and stays one of many standout quantity ones within the league. He’s backed up by Erik Riss and Anders Rowe, giving the Cheetahs a solid-looking prime three.
Riss might be seeking to put his well being points behind him, and if Oxford are to problem this season, each he and Rowe might want to constantly ship across the eight-point mark. Behind them, there are query marks over depth.
Mitch McDiarmid confirmed flashes of his potential final yr and is able to large performances, however should want time earlier than turning into an everyday warmth chief. Luke Killeen faces an vital season and might want to take the subsequent step, with Oxford counting on enchancment from their second string pairing.
At reserve, Daryll Ritchings and Dayle Wooden full the line-up, however in comparison with some rivals, this space may show a weak point. Ritchings impressed on his return final season, whereas Wooden might be aiming to bounce again after a tricky yr.
Oxford’s energy lies in its prime finish, however its probabilities this season may rely upon whether or not the remainder of the group can present constant help.
Key Rider: Luke Kileen. A giant yr for the Younger Aussie in the principle physique of the Crew. With weaker reserves, they want him to make an enormous leap.
Prediction:
Paul: seventh
Brett: fifth
Line Up
Sam Masters
Anders Rowe
Eric Riss
Daryll Ritchings
Dayle Wooden
Mitch McDiarmid
Luke Kileen
Plymouth Gladiators
Plymouth have gone large for 2026 with the signings of former British Champions Scott Nicholls and Danny King. Each deliver big expertise and, in the event that they hit kind, could possibly be very tough to beat across the Coliseum.
Ben Barker stays a key determine and a rider who thrives at Plymouth. If the Gladiators are in rivalry for the play-offs, you’ll be able to anticipate him to be proper on the centre of it.
Joe Thompson continues to progress and appears able to a breakthrough season. If he finds that subsequent stage in 2026, he may turn out to be a serious asset to the facet.
Daniel Klima is one thing of an unknown after restricted appearances final yr, however he has a robust pedigree on the continent and, if he adapts to the tighter UK circuits, may turn into an actual contributor because the season goes on.
Tobias Thomsen arrives from Poole and may provide stable, constant scoring within the second-string function, even when main beneficial properties aren’t anticipated.
At reserve, Tom Spencer will get one other alternative and might be seeking to construct his common. If he can constantly contribute across the three-point mark, he can have finished his job.
Plymouth’s energy lies of their expertise on the prime finish, and if the supporting solid can step up, they’ve the potential to be tremendous aggressive — significantly on house shale.
Key Rider: Daniel Klima. If he will get dialled into the British tracks and will get a 6-point-plus common, the Gladiators could possibly be in for an enormous yr.
Prediction
Paul: 2nd within the league and 2nd within the Playoffs
Brett: third within the league and runners-up within the playoffs
Line up
Scott Nicholls
Danny King
Tobias Thomsen
Joe Thompson
Ben Barker
Daniel Klima
Tom Spencer
Poole Pirates
Reigning champions Poole Pirates as soon as once more look exceptionally robust, with one other well-built 1–7 that makes them clear contenders in 2026.
Richard Lawson leads the facet and stays probably the most dependable quantity ones within the league, delivering each house and away. Alongside him, Zach Prepare dinner continues to develop and will effectively push for that prime spot because the season progresses.
Lewi Kerr provides additional expertise, and one other yr at Wimborne Street may see him step up once more. Dan Gilkes returns after an injury-hit marketing campaign, however with energy round him, he ought to be capable to construct again into kind because the season unfolds.
Fraser Bowes may show to be one of many signings of the season. His common stays low after his debut yr, however he confirmed clear potential and, if that continues, may develop right into a warmth chief because the marketing campaign progresses.
At reserve, Poole appears to be like significantly robust. Will Cairns impressed final yr and, with extra expertise behind him, may take one other step ahead. Alongside him, Cooper Rushen arrives as probably the most thrilling younger prospects within the sport, having produced excellent performances within the NDL.
With energy all through the group and critical depth at reserve, Poole as soon as once more has all of the components to be a serious pressure in 2026.
Key Rider: Fraser Bowes. His potential is big, and a couple of factors plus on his common may simply be achievable.
Predictions
Paul: Final within the League and 1st within the Playoffs
Brett: 2nd within the League and 1st within the Playoffs
Line Up
Richard Lawson
Will Cairns
Fraser Bowes
Dan Gilkes
Lewi Kerr
Cooper Rushen
Zach Prepare dinner
Redcar Bears
After ending 2025 with BSN Collection success, expectations are excessive for Redcar Bears heading into the brand new season. Nevertheless, an early blow got here with harm to Charles Wright, forcing the membership right into a change on the prime of the order.
Skilled Dane Nicolai Klindt is available in to fill that function and might want to ship strongly if the Bears are to be challengers. If he can match expectations, Redcar nonetheless have the foundations of a aggressive facet.
Jake Allen joins from Scunthorpe and might be aiming to enhance on final season’s common, whereas Jason Edwards continues his regular development and now appears to be like able to push in the direction of a better scoring function.
Jordan Jenkins returns from harm and may have time to regain full sharpness, whereas Jake Mulford is now firmly established in the principle physique of the group and might be focusing on additional development.
At reserve, Jody Scott and Ace Pijper each confirmed robust improvement final season and might be anticipated to proceed that upward development.
Redcar have a settled core and loads of potential all through the group, however their probabilities of difficult for the play-offs could rely upon how shortly their new-look prime finish settles and whether or not their bettering riders can take one other step ahead.
Key Rider: Jody Scott. The Bears want Jody to proceed his upward trajectory for them to reach 2026
Prediction
Paul: eighth
Brett: eighth
Line Up
Nicolai Klindt (changing the injured Charles Wright)
Jake Allen
Jordan Jenkins
Jason Edwards
Jake Mulford
Ace Pijper
Jody Scott
Scunthorpe Scorpions
After a tough 2025, Scunthorpe Scorpions have made important adjustments to keep away from a repeat this season.
The headline signing is Josh Pickering, who brings real top-end high quality and will effectively problem for the Championship’s highest averages. Having a robust primary instantly offers the Scorpions a a lot firmer basis.
The query is who will constantly help him. Luke Harrison confirmed actual development final season and could possibly be able to step right into a extra distinguished function if that enchancment continues.
Each Connor Mountain and Michael Palm Toft come into 2026 seeking to bounce again after difficult campaigns, whereas Simon Lambert begins on a lowered common and will show a helpful asset if he rediscovers his earlier kind.
At reserve, Nathan Ablitt returns with a degree to show after lacking out final season, and Ryan Ingram has been making robust progress within the NDL and will chip in with helpful scores.
Scunthorpe’s season could hinge on how effectively their supporting solid backs up Pickering, but when riders like Palm Toft and Lambert return to kind, they may shortly transfer again into play-off rivalry.
Predictions:
Paul: sixth
Brett: seventh
Line up
Josh Pickering
Ryan Ingram
Luke Harrison
Connor Mountain
Michael Palm Toft
Nathan Ablitt
Simon Lambert
Workington Comets
After a disrupted 2025 season as a result of off-track points, Workington Comets head into their third Championship marketing campaign in search of larger stability and a stronger push up the desk.
Troy Batchelor continues as a dependable primary, whereas Craig Prepare dinner returns to his house membership. On his day, Prepare dinner stays probably the most thrilling riders within the league, and if he commits to a full season, Workington could possibly be a critical risk.
Jonas Jeppesen impressed throughout his spells final yr and, if he carries that kind into 2026, completes a strong-looking prime three. Behind them, Tate Zischke has clear potential and, if he can rediscover his pre-injury velocity, could possibly be a serious contributor.
Niklas Holm Jakobsen is new to the league and might be aiming to construct steadily, whereas Vinnie Foord appears to be like able to bettering on final season and including helpful factors to the facet.
At reserve, Jamie Etherington begins his debut Championship season and might be seeking to achieve expertise whereas contributing the place doable.
If Workington can discover consistency and get the perfect out of their prime finish, they’ve the potential to be aggressive — however a lot could rely upon how their key riders carry out over the complete marketing campaign.
Key Rider: Craig Prepare dinner – The Comets’ season may all rely upon which Craig Prepare dinner turns up.
Prediction
Paul: fifth
Brett: 4th within the League and Playoffs
Line up
Jonas Jeppesen
Tate Zischke
Vinnie Foord
Troy Batchelor
Craig Prepare dinner
Niklas Holm Jakobsen
Jamie Etherington
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