Speedway 2026 ??

[old bob at herne bay]

Same old same old for 2026 is my guess. How many teams will line up in the PL 2026 - No Birmingham, Oxford Spires ?? 

Cannot see any new venues being ready for 2026, and with the usual struggle to finish fixtures now looming, maybe fewer clubs in the PL would help. 

Would make  gaining a p.off place  much more likely with only Kings Lynn likely to miss out.  

The CL continues to rumble on - only Workington seemed to be struggling at one stage , but all likely to estart in 2026? 

The slowly decaying fanbase seeems to be hanging on in areas where there still is speedway racing. 

 

100th anniversary in 2028 - might just make it  🙂 

[Fromafar]

4 hours ago, Ben91 said:

Plenty of evidence now of teams being crippled by moving up. Having to change race night and the extra costs aren’t conducive to good business. Think the Glasgow promotion are too switched on to fall into the trap. 

Hopefully

[Doners123]

I’d like to see something along the lines off…..

 

1 big league this may give us say 14 teams. 

7 riders per team although have thought about 6 but unsure if this actually works not done much research in to this.
 

 End of season the top 6 teams go in to the “premiership” play off  (name can be changed to suit) the next 6 teams go in to the “championship” play off 

3rd Vs 6th and 4th vs 5th.  With the top 2 meeting the winners in the semi finals. 

This would allow the stronger former prem teams to push and strive for the top 6 places and then the more illustrious trophy however they wil have more fixtures and it will give lots of chances for riders to attend new tracks. 
on top of this plus a cup match each team should get a minimum of 24 races over the season. 

On top of this each team has to create a development team (team of 3 or 4 riders) who will also race over the period of the meeting and after if needed and these points will go towards the overall league table of the main team. 
 

so on the night you can get 2 points for a win, 1 if the development team win and then the bonus aggregate score.

This will then allow development level riders the chance to be in the pits with stronger riders however protecting them from racing against them. This would also allow those 3/4 per team far more chances to learn and pick brains. 
 

I think that would work well. We can also keep the development league. 
 

 

[SteveLyric2]

8 hours ago, Doners123 said:

I’d like to see something along the lines off…..

 

1 big league this may give us say 14 teams. 

7 riders per team although have thought about 6 but unsure if this actually works not done much research in to this.
 

 End of season the top 6 teams go in to the “premiership” play off  (name can be changed to suit) the next 6 teams go in to the “championship” play off 

3rd Vs 6th and 4th vs 5th.  With the top 2 meeting the winners in the semi finals. 

This would allow the stronger former prem teams to push and strive for the top 6 places and then the more illustrious trophy however they wil have more fixtures and it will give lots of chances for riders to attend new tracks. 
on top of this plus a cup match each team should get a minimum of 24 races over the season. 

On top of this each team has to create a development team (team of 3 or 4 riders) who will also race over the period of the meeting and after if needed and these points will go towards the overall league table of the main team. 
 

so on the night you can get 2 points for a win, 1 if the development team win and then the bonus aggregate score.

This will then allow development level riders the chance to be in the pits with stronger riders however protecting them from racing against them. This would also allow those 3/4 per team far more chances to learn and pick brains. 
 

I think that would work well. We can also keep the development league. 
 

 

I'll have a pint of whatever you're drinking!

[Diablo]

Next season will be 2 leagues & not many changes …kick the can down the road.

Hopefully finally address the gaps teams have in home fixtures particularly in the “summer months” 

 

 

[Fromafar]

43 minutes ago, Diablo said:

Next season will be 2 leagues & not many changes …kick the can down the road.

Hopefully finally address the gaps teams have in home fixtures particularly in the “summer months” 

 

 

Most fans will be wondering how the Premiership can solve their problems regarding number of Teams.

[Beirao]

Here's a quick and rather rough attempt to look at team strengths of teams should the Big League actually happen. It would need some fine tuning but it gives a flavour of what it would be like... And it only has 5 men teams

Underlying assumptions

- teams retain their racenights so riders who dont ride in the Championship wont be available to ride in the Big League

- Premiership teams get to keep Rising Star and one doubling up rider

 

2026 Team Rider Ave

Belle Vue Hodder 2.70

Belle Vue Wright 9.11

Belle Vue Mulford 4.37

Belle Vue Zischke 5.76

Belle Vue Vuolaas 6.87

Belle Vue Total 28.81

 

Berwick Morris 6.86

Berwick Kemp 8.05

Berwick Jeppesen 8.29

Berwick J Smith 2.68

Berwick Wood 2.24

Berwick Total 28.12

 

Edinburgh Palovaara 7.35

Edinburgh Sedgmen 7.34

Edinburgh Castagna 7.05

Edinburgh Grahn 5.30

Edinburgh Loftus 2.00

Edinburgh Total 29.04

 

Glasgow Hume 5.10

Glasgow Harris 9.13

Glasgow Nagel 7.39

Glasgow Perry 2.35

Glasgow Foord 3.78

Glasgow Total 27.75

 

Ipswich K Thomsen 5.93

Ipswich D Thompson 8.72

Ipswich Starke 4.13

Ipswich Edwards 6.60

Ipswich Spencer 2.00

Ipswich Total 27.38

 

Kings Lynn Heeps 4.93

Kings Lynn Lawson 9.83

Kings Lynn Lambert 4.65

Kings Lynn Harrison 5.10

Kings Lynn Borke 4.57

Kings Lynn Total 29.08

 

Leicester Hagon 3.57

Leicester Masters 10.09

Leicester Gusts 5.49

Leicester Allen 6.53

Leicester Cluff 3.00

Leicester Total 28.68

 

Oxford Kildemand 8.08

Oxford McDiarmid 5.18

Oxford Killeen 5.28

Oxford Nicholls 8.08

Oxford Ritchings 2.50

Oxford Total 29.12

 

Plymouth Klindt 8.36

Plymouth Barker 6.32

Plymouth J T hompson 6.02

Plymouth Frederikssen 5.49

Plymouth Trigger 3.60

Plymouth Total 29.79

 

Poole Jenkins 6.16

Poole Kerr 6.94

Poole Z Cook 7.34

Poole T Thomsen 4.81

Poole Cairns 3.91

Poole Total 29.16

 

Redcar King 8.81

Redcar Riss 7.12

Redcar Scott 3.92

Redcar Pijper 4.17

Redcar Knudsen 4.93

Redcar Total 28.95

 

Scunthorpe MPT 6.12

Scunthorpe Worrall 7.07

Scunthorpe Mountain 6.11

Scunthorpe D Kennedy 4.63

Scunthorpe Z Kennedy 5.24

Scunthorpe Total 29.17

 

Sheffield Howarth 8.12

Sheffield Flint 7.12

Sheffield Gilks 4.71

Sheffield Rowe 7.57

Sheffield Butcher 2.00

Sheffield Total 29.52

 

Workington Bowtell 4.77

Workington Batchelor 7.10

Workington Bowes 5.63

Workington Etheridge 5.45

Workington Hook 5.57

Workington Total 28.52

 

While Championship teams have been watered down, I Cant see Premiership supporters being pleased with their teams shorn of stars. How much would supporters be expected to pay to watch these meetings £10,£15 - how much would you pay? How much would riders get paid per point? Half of the 2025 rate?

Sorry but this would kill speedway by the end of the first season.

[Fortythirtyeight]

9 hours ago, Doners123 said:

I’d like to see something along the lines off…..

 

1 big league this may give us say 14 teams. 

7 riders per team although have thought about 6 but unsure if this actually works not done much research in to this.
 

 End of season the top 6 teams go in to the “premiership” play off  (name can be changed to suit) the next 6 teams go in to the “championship” play off 

3rd Vs 6th and 4th vs 5th.  With the top 2 meeting the winners in the semi finals. 

This would allow the stronger former prem teams to push and strive for the top 6 places and then the more illustrious trophy however they wil have more fixtures and it will give lots of chances for riders to attend new tracks. 
on top of this plus a cup match each team should get a minimum of 24 races over the season. 

On top of this each team has to create a development team (team of 3 or 4 riders) who will also race over the period of the meeting and after if needed and these points will go towards the overall league table of the main team. 
 

so on the night you can get 2 points for a win, 1 if the development team win and then the bonus aggregate score.

This will then allow development level riders the chance to be in the pits with stronger riders however protecting them from racing against them. This would also allow those 3/4 per team far more chances to learn and pick brains. 
 

I think that would work well. We can also keep the development league. 
 

 

So you’re proposing a championship style league with each club having to have a MDL type team attached, like some clubs already do ?

PLUS the NDL .

so not a lot of change then.

[ragdoll64]

1 hour ago, Beirao said:

Here's a quick and rather rough attempt to look at team strengths of teams should the Big League actually happen. It would need some fine tuning but it gives a flavour of what it would be like... And it only has 5 men teams

Underlying assumptions

- teams retain their racenights so riders who dont ride in the Championship wont be available to ride in the Big League

- Premiership teams get to keep Rising Star and one doubling up rider

 

2026 Team Rider Ave

Belle Vue Hodder 2.70

Belle Vue Wright 9.11

Belle Vue Mulford 4.37

Belle Vue Zischke 5.76

Belle Vue Vuolaas 6.87

Belle Vue Total 28.81

 

Berwick Morris 6.86

Berwick Kemp 8.05

Berwick Jeppesen 8.29

Berwick J Smith 2.68

Berwick Wood 2.24

Berwick Total 28.12

 

Edinburgh Palovaara 7.35

Edinburgh Sedgmen 7.34

Edinburgh Castagna 7.05

Edinburgh Grahn 5.30

Edinburgh Loftus 2.00

Edinburgh Total 29.04

 

Glasgow Hume 5.10

Glasgow Harris 9.13

Glasgow Nagel 7.39

Glasgow Perry 2.35

Glasgow Foord 3.78

Glasgow Total 27.75

 

Ipswich K Thomsen 5.93

Ipswich D Thompson 8.72

Ipswich Starke 4.13

Ipswich Edwards 6.60

Ipswich Spencer 2.00

Ipswich Total 27.38

 

Kings Lynn Heeps 4.93

Kings Lynn Lawson 9.83

Kings Lynn Lambert 4.65

Kings Lynn Harrison 5.10

Kings Lynn Borke 4.57

Kings Lynn Total 29.08

 

Leicester Hagon 3.57

Leicester Masters 10.09

Leicester Gusts 5.49

Leicester Allen 6.53

Leicester Cluff 3.00

Leicester Total 28.68

 

Oxford Kildemand 8.08

Oxford McDiarmid 5.18

Oxford Killeen 5.28

Oxford Nicholls 8.08

Oxford Ritchings 2.50

Oxford Total 29.12

 

Plymouth Klindt 8.36

Plymouth Barker 6.32

Plymouth J T hompson 6.02

Plymouth Frederikssen 5.49

Plymouth Trigger 3.60

Plymouth Total 29.79

 

Poole Jenkins 6.16

Poole Kerr 6.94

Poole Z Cook 7.34

Poole T Thomsen 4.81

Poole Cairns 3.91

Poole Total 29.16

 

Redcar King 8.81

Redcar Riss 7.12

Redcar Scott 3.92

Redcar Pijper 4.17

Redcar Knudsen 4.93

Redcar Total 28.95

 

Scunthorpe MPT 6.12

Scunthorpe Worrall 7.07

Scunthorpe Mountain 6.11

Scunthorpe D Kennedy 4.63

Scunthorpe Z Kennedy 5.24

Scunthorpe Total 29.17

 

Sheffield Howarth 8.12

Sheffield Flint 7.12

Sheffield Gilks 4.71

Sheffield Rowe 7.57

Sheffield Butcher 2.00

Sheffield Total 29.52

 

Workington Bowtell 4.77

Workington Batchelor 7.10

Workington Bowes 5.63

Workington Etheridge 5.45

Workington Hook 5.57

Workington Total 28.52

 

While Championship teams have been watered down, I Cant see Premiership supporters being pleased with their teams shorn of stars. How much would supporters be expected to pay to watch these meetings £10,£15 - how much would you pay? How much would riders get paid per point? Half of the 2025 rate?

Sorry but this would kill speedway by the end of the first season.

If these were to be the teams I think I would still be a Tigers supporter………only, it would be Sheffield this time round…..🐯🤪

[Beirao]

3 hours ago, ragdoll64 said:

If these were to be the teams I think I would still be a Tigers supporter………only, it would be Sheffield this time round…..🐯🤪

Could swap Nagel for Howarth to balance things up. Teams are a rough cut to demonstrate how much the standard would be watered down, rather than absolutes . Can't see Sheffield being too pleased being shorn of their stars. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Beirao

[Biffa]

As a Speedway fan that league set up has just lost one supporter. How much would you charge to watch that? It’s currently £10 to watch NDL for 7 riders, personally couldn’t justify anything more to watch that set up. Just my opinion 🤷‍♂️

[Sir Sidney]

7 minutes ago, Biffa said:

As a Speedway fan that league set up has just lost one supporter. How much would you charge to watch that? It’s currently £10 to watch NDL for 7 riders, personally couldn’t justify anything more to watch that set up. Just my opinion 🤷‍♂️

Surely the number of heats rather than the number of riders is key. 

[Ben91]

Simplicity needs to be key. Do what is best for the sport in Britain as a whole. For me that is one league and moves to protect the integrity of the competition. If seven rider teams continue I'd like to see some of the following implemented. 

• Race nights to suit the home club as often as possible. 
• Massive revamp of absent rider facilities.
  • Facility granted (R/R, not a guest) only for riders on FIM/national championship duty or injured during a meeting in the last seven days. 
  • NL guest only for riders absent for reasons other than the above. These are the only guests allowed. 
  • More than two riders unavailable on FIM/national championship duty and a club can request a postponement (I.E. football international duty).
• All clubs to have an extra rider ("number 8") declared and present at every meeting. Can take rides in the same way a reserve does. 
• Riders can't take two rides back to back. Heats 14 to 15 the only exception. Keep things moving.
• No tactical substitutes.
• Two points for winning a meeting, home or away. An extra point awarded for an aggregate victory. The current system is needlessly complicated. 
• Teams who don't complete their fixtures are penalised.
  • Two points deducted for each meeting uncompleted. Match points forfeited to away side from uncompleted meeting.
  • Don't complete your home fixtures and next season you don't get to race in the KO Cup.
• Team who finishes top of the league wins the league.

Appreciate these ideas aren't perfect. Nothing is though. And they're a lot better than what we currently have to endure. 

[Biffa]

10 minutes ago, Sir Sidney said:

Surely the number of heats rather than the number of riders is key. 

Maybe, but it’s also about the variety of riders in the heats for me. The 6 rider team format is bad enough, but at least at international level you got 18 heats. 5 rider teams is only 14 heats I believe so lose,lose🤷‍♂️. Like I said though just my opinion. 

[The White Knight]

38 minutes ago, Ben91 said:

Simplicity needs to be key. Do what is best for the sport in Britain as a whole. For me that is one league and moves to protect the integrity of the competition. If seven rider teams continue I'd like to see some of the following implemented. 

• Race nights to suit the home club as often as possible. 
• Massive revamp of absent rider facilities.
  • Facility granted (R/R, not a guest) only for riders on FIM/national championship duty or injured during a meeting in the last seven days. 
  • NL guest only for riders absent for reasons other than the above. These are the only guests allowed. 
  • More than two riders unavailable on FIM/national championship duty and a club can request a postponement (I.E. football international duty).
• All clubs to have an extra rider ("number 8") declared and present at every meeting. Can take rides in the same way a reserve does. 
• Riders can't take two rides back to back. Heats 14 to 15 the only exception. Keep things moving.
• No tactical substitutes.
• Two points for winning a meeting, home or away. An extra point awarded for an aggregate victory. The current system is needlessly complicated. 
• Teams who don't complete their fixtures are penalised.
  • Two points deducted for each meeting uncompleted. Match points forfeited to away side from uncompleted meeting.
  • Don't complete your home fixtures and next season you don't get to race in the KO Cup.
• Team who finishes top of the league wins the league.

Appreciate these ideas aren't perfect. Nothing is though. And they're a lot better than what we currently have to endure. 

You will never have integrity as long as you have the 'Play Off' system. No team should have to win the League twice - it makes it a joke.

Getting rid of the 'Play Offs' would also mean less fixtures at the end of the Season, meaning that the Leagues would finish earlier and fixture congestion would not be so much of a problem.

Remember, when Speedway started there were no 'Play  Offs' and it survived, some may say thrived.

Not thriving now though - is it?

[Bagpuss]

1 hour ago, The White Knight said:

You will never have integrity as long as you have the 'Play Off' system. No team should have to win the League twice - it makes it a joke.

Getting rid of the 'Play Offs' would also mean less fixtures at the end of the Season, meaning that the Leagues would finish earlier and fixture congestion would not be so much of a problem.

Remember, when Speedway started there were no 'Play  Offs' and it survived, some may say thrived.

Not thriving now though - is it?

I don't disagree with you as I prefer the top of the league system, but while Play Offs attract bigger crowds and any TV deal demands it then they are here to stay.

[StevePark]

4 minutes ago, Bagpuss said:

I don't disagree with you as I prefer the top of the league system, but while Play Offs attract bigger crowds and any TV deal demands it then they are here to stay.

The Championship doesn't have a "TV deal" as such, so no need for Play-offs 😛🤣

[ShanoXtra]

26 minutes ago, Bagpuss said:

I don't disagree with you as I prefer the top of the league system, but while Play Offs attract bigger crowds and any TV deal demands it then they are here to stay.

Play offs only attract bigger crowds because of the play off system, which means the league doesn’t really matter. Scrap the play offs and all of a sudden crowds come for the league matches because it’s the way you win the league.

[Weeyin]

8 hours ago, Beirao said:

Here's a quick and rather rough attempt to look at team strengths of teams should the Big League actually happen. It would need some fine tuning but it gives a flavour of what it would be like... And it only has 5 men teams

Underlying assumptions

- teams retain their racenights so riders who dont ride in the Championship wont be available to ride in the Big League

- Premiership teams get to keep Rising Star and one doubling up rider

 

2026 Team Rider Ave

Belle Vue Hodder 2.70

Belle Vue Wright 9.11

Belle Vue Mulford 4.37

Belle Vue Zischke 5.76

Belle Vue Vuolaas 6.87

Belle Vue Total 28.81

 

Berwick Morris 6.86

Berwick Kemp 8.05

Berwick Jeppesen 8.29

Berwick J Smith 2.68

Berwick Wood 2.24

Berwick Total 28.12

 

Edinburgh Palovaara 7.35

Edinburgh Sedgmen 7.34

Edinburgh Castagna 7.05

Edinburgh Grahn 5.30

Edinburgh Loftus 2.00

Edinburgh Total 29.04

 

Glasgow Hume 5.10

Glasgow Harris 9.13

Glasgow Nagel 7.39

Glasgow Perry 2.35

Glasgow Foord 3.78

Glasgow Total 27.75

 

Ipswich K Thomsen 5.93

Ipswich D Thompson 8.72

Ipswich Starke 4.13

Ipswich Edwards 6.60

Ipswich Spencer 2.00

Ipswich Total 27.38

 

Kings Lynn Heeps 4.93

Kings Lynn Lawson 9.83

Kings Lynn Lambert 4.65

Kings Lynn Harrison 5.10

Kings Lynn Borke 4.57

Kings Lynn Total 29.08

 

Leicester Hagon 3.57

Leicester Masters 10.09

Leicester Gusts 5.49

Leicester Allen 6.53

Leicester Cluff 3.00

Leicester Total 28.68

 

Oxford Kildemand 8.08

Oxford McDiarmid 5.18

Oxford Killeen 5.28

Oxford Nicholls 8.08

Oxford Ritchings 2.50

Oxford Total 29.12

 

Plymouth Klindt 8.36

Plymouth Barker 6.32

Plymouth J T hompson 6.02

Plymouth Frederikssen 5.49

Plymouth Trigger 3.60

Plymouth Total 29.79

 

Poole Jenkins 6.16

Poole Kerr 6.94

Poole Z Cook 7.34

Poole T Thomsen 4.81

Poole Cairns 3.91

Poole Total 29.16

 

Redcar King 8.81

Redcar Riss 7.12

Redcar Scott 3.92

Redcar Pijper 4.17

Redcar Knudsen 4.93

Redcar Total 28.95

 

Scunthorpe MPT 6.12

Scunthorpe Worrall 7.07

Scunthorpe Mountain 6.11

Scunthorpe D Kennedy 4.63

Scunthorpe Z Kennedy 5.24

Scunthorpe Total 29.17

 

Sheffield Howarth 8.12

Sheffield Flint 7.12

Sheffield Gilks 4.71

Sheffield Rowe 7.57

Sheffield Butcher 2.00

Sheffield Total 29.52

 

Workington Bowtell 4.77

Workington Batchelor 7.10

Workington Bowes 5.63

Workington Etheridge 5.45

Workington Hook 5.57

Workington Total 28.52

 

While Championship teams have been watered down, I Cant see Premiership supporters being pleased with their teams shorn of stars. How much would supporters be expected to pay to watch these meetings £10,£15 - how much would you pay? How much would riders get paid per point? Half of the 2025 rate?

Sorry but this would kill speedway by the end of the first season.

So Ipswich and Glasgow 27 average and most of the others 29, what do you have against those teams?

[Sir Sidney]

51 minutes ago, Weeyin said:

So Ipswich and Glasgow 27 average and most of the others 29, what do you have against those teams?

I think it's an illustration rather than an expectation of actual teams