Please find below a press release from British Speedway Promoters Ltd regarding the 2026 season. We hope to provide an official update of our own by the end of the week regarding the sale of the club. We understand supporters have all been waiting for information over the last few weeks and we will bring news as soon as we have it.
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.
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.