2026 London Broncos season

The 2026 London Broncos season is the 47th year in the club's history and their first season under the ownership group of Darren Lockyer, Grant Wechsel and Gary Hetherington. It is their fifth season at Plough Lane as tenants of AFC Wimbledon. They are coached by new Head coach Jason Demetriou who is assisted by the returning Danny Ward. The Broncos will compete in the 2026 RFL Championship, 2026 Challenge Cup and the 2026 RFL 1895 Cup.

In September 2025, following the conclusion of London's 2025 RFL Championship season, Darren Lockyer led an ownership group consisting of businessman Grant Wechsel, and Super League executive Gary Hetherington in the successful takeover of the London Broncos.^[1][2]

In October 2025, with Toulouse Olympique and the York Knights selected for promotion, the London club were controversially overlooked for elevation to the Super League in favour of the Bradford Bulls.^[3][4][5]

Following the decision, the club’s ownership group confirmed their commitment to the long-term vision, emphasising that they will compete in the Championship for the 2026 season with the goal of securing a Super League place in the future. ^[6]

Mike Eccles relinquished his lead coach role at the end of the 2025 season after Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from the 2026 season.

This was confirmed after the Darren Lockyer led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} Eccles became the Director of Rugby & Performance at the Broncos.^[12]

In September 2025 Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from 2026 onwards. This was confirmed was confirmed to be a three-year deal after the Darren Lockyer led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18]}

In October 2025 Danny Ward returned to the club as assistant coach, taking the role after winning the Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers.^[19] He returned to the club where he was the head coach for four years, assistant for three years and under 19s coach for two years, as well as spending four years as a player in the capital.

In October 2025 the Broncos signed a multi year deal with the global sports brand Reebok as first team kit manufacturer as well as official supplier of teamwear and merchandise.^[20]

The re-branding also involved a change in logo, as well as a move away from the black with a white chevron kits that had been the mainstay of the club for over a decade.^[21]

The 2026 home kit shifted away from traditional London colours and moved to navy blue.^[22][23] This move however did have connection to the away kits of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons as well as a colour connection to the away kits of the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons.

In November 2025 the London Broncos moved to a new training base, taking over the former London Irish rugby union club facility in Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey. The Hazelwood complex will serve as the Broncos new training ground and also their administrative base. The Broncos are the primary tenants at the site, however London Irish Amateur will still continue play their Regional 2 Thames level six games there.^[24]

The Broncos new administrative headquarters has four full size grass pitches, one full size 4G pitch, medical support centre, gym and a large clubhouse with an on-site chef and a licensed bar open to the public 7 days a week.^[25][26]

To be announced.

• London Broncos
• Championship 2026 - London Broncos
• London Broncos 2026