A new Salford team has been granted membership to the Championship for the 2026 season by the Rugby Football League.
Former Salford player Mason Caton-Brown’s consortium has been chosen by the RFL to resurrect the club after Salford Red Devils were wound up earlier this month over an unpaid tax bill.
An RFL statement read: “The Rugby Football League can confirm that Salford RLFC Ltd has been granted RFL Membership approval for a new Salford-based team and entry into the 2026 Betfred Championship competition.
“The approval follows a thorough assessment process in which the RFL received three high-quality and extremely well-considered proposals, all focused on ensuring the preservation, continuity and future growth of professional Rugby League in the City of Salford.
“The successful submission from Salford RLFC Ltd demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable governance, financial responsibility and long-term stability, aligned with the RFL’s strategic objectives for the professional game.”
“The quality of proposals we received reflects the strength of commitment to Rugby League in Salford.”
RFL Interim CEO Abi Ekoku said: Our decision, which could not have been made without the clarity and support of Salford City Council and its stadium management team (CosCos), has been taken with the long-term interests of the club, the local community at its heart and the sport of rugby league as a whole.
“We are confident this outcome provides a strong platform for club stability and growth moving forward.”
Former Salford chief executive Chris Irwin’s consortium had also been in contention to take control of the new club, who are scheduled to play their first match of the Championship season on January 16 against Oldham.
But Irwin’s bid was overlooked by the RFL, who overran their strict 17 December deadline by which they had promised to reveal which of the consortia would lead Salford into the new season to carry out further “due diligence.”
When Caton-Brown’s Phoenix Bid threw its hat in the ring earlier this month, he was hopeful the project will take Salford back to the upper echelons of the game will begin by “rebuilding belief.”
“We want to create something the city can be proud of again; a club that stands for honesty, sustainability, and genuine community connection,” he explained in a statement released on 4 December.
Both the Salford RLFC Supporters Trust (Forever Reds) and the Salford Red Devils Foundation had formally endorsed the consortium’s application, signalling strong support across the fanbase.
A spokesperson for the Trust described the Phoenix Bid as “a powerful and credible team with the best interests of supporters and rugby league at heart.”
The Trust also highlighted Salford’s potential as “a sleeping giant”, with its strong identity, proximity to Manchester, and opportunity to grow both its fanbase and community impact under the right leadership.
“We’re inviting the people of Salford to stand with us,” added Caton-Brown. “Together we can rise again, not just to bring rugby league back to this city, but to make sure it thrives for generations to come.”
