What will 2026 UK speedway bring?

[TigerIain]

13 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Yes 

Great band. Seen them live a few times

[TigerIain]

16 hours ago, TTT said:

British Speedway, The only sport in the UK where....

Lower League Clubs try and dictate the future of the Big League Clubs.

Lower League Clubs try and take Money out of Riders Pockets by putting them out of a job at PREM level.

Lower League Clubs try and takeaway from the Fans by replacing Top Quality On Track Battles like Brady Kurtz v Jason Doyle or Dan Bewley v Max Fricke and replacing them with Paul Starke v Simon Lambert or Jack Smith v Alfie Bowtell.

Only "superstars" can have top quality races??? Look up Heat 14 from the Glasgow v Edinburgh playoff semi (British Speedway Network posted it on their Facebook page on 27th September) It was a fantastic race between Perry, MPT & Flint swapping places. Then contrast that with the dross that was GB v Poland at the same track which had Bewley, Woffinden, Zmarzlik and Janowski, 3 of the 4 riders that had just competed in whatever they call the World Pairs final these days, and next to no passing all night. It was one of the worst meetings ever at Ashfield. The only worse ones I can think of were ruined by rain.

Glasgow fans are very happy with the entertainment on show at Ashfield every week. Star names do not mean better races.

17 hours ago, Fromafar said:

That just leaves Glasgow to make up their mind. Will they or won’t they.?

Glasgow fans want to race Fridays, and the promotion fought long and hard to get it. They also have the derbies with Edinburgh and Berwick and rivalry with Poole, and to a lesser extent Redcar and Workington. They also have a competitive team. And they run with (what the promotion deem to be) acceptable losses each year. All of which would be lost propping up the failing Premiership.

The Facennas are working hard to build up the speedway at Glasgow but that move would not make any sense and could jeopardise the future of the Tigers. 

[Fromafar]

1 minute ago, TigerIain said:

Only "superstars" can have top quality races??? Look up Heat 14 from the Glasgow v Edinburgh playoff semi (British Speedway Network posted it on their Facebook page on 27th September) It was a fantastic race between Perry, MPT & Flint swapping places. Then contrast that with the dross that was GB v Poland at the same track which had Bewley, Woffinden, Zmarzlik and Janowski, 3 of the 4 riders that had just competed in whatever they call the World Pairs final these days, and next to no passing all night. It was one of the worst meetings ever at Ashfield. The only worse ones I can think of were ruined by rain.

Glasgow fans are very happy with the entertainment on show at Ashfield every week. Star names do not mean better races.

Glasgow fans want to race Fridays, and the promotion fought long and hard to get it. They also have the derbies with Edinburgh and Berwick and rivalry with Poole, and to a lesser extent Redcar and Workington. They also have a competitive team. And they run with (what the promotion deem to be) acceptable losses each year. All of which would be lost propping up the failing Premiership.

The Facennas are working hard to build up the speedway at Glasgow but that move would not make any sense and could jeopardise the future of the Tigers. 

Would agree.They are heavily involved in the sport  though and might feel a need to help out would be my only worry.

[Arthur73]

I've read so many of the comments on here and the more I read the more I think that going to one big league would be a disaster but maintaining the current structure but racing over the weekend works. 

I still think there needs to be selected race nights so that riders can still race in UK and poland 2nd division or Sweden. I think a deal with Poland where the UK races on Friday and Saturday nights, 1st division and 3rd division Poland stays the same, 2nd division runs on Thursday (they wanted to do this a couple years ago) could work. 

Thursday - Poland 2nd Division

Friday - Polish 1st Division, UK 1st Division

Saturday - UK 1st Division, Speedway GP

Sunday - Poland 3rd Division, Poland 1st Division

Riders who look to be racing in Poland 1st Division in 2026: Kurtz, Bewley, Blodorn, Lidsey, Sayfutdinov, Rew, Ben Cook, Kvech, Fricke, Janowski, Jack Holder

The riders become cheaper therefore clubs find it easier to run and can slightly lower ticket prices and fans are more willing to come as the meetings are on favorable nights? Maybe I'm delusional?

[IainB]

1 hour ago, TigerIain said:

Great band. Seen them live a few times

I even heard them being played over the pa at Belle Vue once a few years back... how's that for down with the kids!

Edited 4 hours ago by IainB

[TTT]

2 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said:

i don't think anyone expects the ship to be turned around in one go, but harking back to the plymouth example they have made the wise move of running on best night for their punters and this year they have learned from the Klindt issue and signed two english based riders and i would imagine they will try and do likewise with the other five. 

So they should have a situation where they are running on the best night, the seven riders barring injury should be present fo 80-90% of home meetings they can then move onto getting sponsorship and improving track and stadium facilities.

Its lots of small wins built on top of each other that win the day we just need to see even a handful of small wins to start things off that's the issue at present.

Plymouth's plan goes up in smoke though if a full U-Turn in League Structure takes place.

Ipswich won't have Sayfutdinov, Doyle, Brennan, Rew, Ellis or D. Thompson to choose from so it only leaves one option @ No.1.

[TTT]

Don't forget that certain CHAMP D/UP's can only ride for certain CHAMP Clubs due to Polish Fixtures taking place FRI, SAT & SUN.

That's another problem that One Big League will throw up amongst other problems that aren't even getting a mention on this thread.

[YeOldPitGate]

43 minutes ago, TTT said:

Plymouth's plan goes up in smoke though if a full U-Turn in League Structure takes place.

Ipswich won't have Sayfutdinov, Doyle, Brennan, Rew, Ellis or D. Thompson to choose from so it only leaves one option @ No.1.

it could but with what we know so far if its two leagues they are trying to do all the right things to get foundations in place for a decent season.

[TB1]

As an Ipswich supporter it was great to win the league after so many years. 

However, based of course on endless speculation it would appear like the Premiership is acting like a playground bully.

Unfortunately apart from Ipswich the business model would appear not to work, root and branch review will not work. The tree is dead. It requires chopping down and a new one planted. 

[Ben91]

I wonder if there’s something of a mutiny going on at present. The Championship teams hold the aces as the Premiership needs at least one to step up. If those nine Championship clubs dig their heels in then there’s not much the Premiership sides can do beside coming into line. 

The Championship sides may be in agreement already over their rules for 2026 team building hence signings being made and announced. The Pickering to Scunthorpe signing could be more telling than at surface level. In theory he’s far too good for that level but perhaps he’s signed on there to be guaranteed a ride in Britain considering the uncertainty of Sheffield and the top flight in general. 

There aren’t enough riders of sufficient standard to populate a 14 team Championship. If the existing nine get their teams sorted and it transpires the five Premiership clubs have no choice but to drop down we could see those five clubs scrabbling to put together competitive teams with the odds and ends left. 

[TB1]

Everyone is talking about different permutations and this that and the other. My question is this. For non UK riders, what exactly are the visa requirements.

I ask the question because presumably if we to need to populate 14 sides for example and just say we need to get riders who may be well down the pecking order in say any EU country or even Denmark or Sweden for example.

Would they demand top dollar as British Speedway would have a begging bowl?

 

[RoundTheBoards]

15 minutes ago, Ben91 said:

The Championship teams hold the aces

They really don't.

The likes of Chris Harris, Danny King, Peter Kildemand, Sam Masters, Charles Wright, Richard Lawson, etc, etc, pick up a "top-up" wage from the CL, to supplement their main PL earnings.   

If the PL were to collapse, those riders would either need a big pay rise from their one remaining British team or they'd need a foreign league place, which would bring clashes with any British team who don't ride on either a Monday or Thursday.

e.g.  A collapse of the PL would see Danny King's Plymouth signing fall through.  He couldn't ride solely for Plymouth money.   He'd be better going to Ipswich on a Thursday and picking up a foreign league.  

The CL absolutely need the PL to survive, or else it will be the end for some of them.

 

[TTT]

4 minutes ago, RoundTheBoards said:

They really don't.

The likes of Chris Harris, Danny King, Peter Kildemand, Sam Masters, Charles Wright, Richard Lawson, etc, etc, pick up a "top-up" wage from the CL, to supplement their main PL earnings.   

If the PL were to collapse, those riders would either need a big pay rise from their one remaining British team or they'd need a foreign league place, which would bring clashes with any British team who don't ride on either a Monday or Thursday.

e.g.  A collapse of the PL would see Danny King's Plymouth signing fall through.  He couldn't ride solely for Plymouth money.   He'd be better going to Ipswich on a Thursday and picking up a foreign league.  

The CL absolutely need the PL to survive, or else it will be the end for some of them.

 

Spot on.

Just a few other examples.

Dan Thompson has to be at Leicester so Edinburgh will be in the same position as Plymouth if the rumour is true about Dan being the Monarchs No.1 in 2026.

Redcar could suffer various losses if Belle Vue want Jake Mulford and Ipswich want Jordan Jenkins.

If Sheffield run then they're having Picko back from Scunny so Godfrey will have to rip up his 1-7.

 

The list is endless.

[Ben91]

12 minutes ago, RoundTheBoards said:

They really don't.

The likes of Chris Harris, Danny King, Peter Kildemand, Sam Masters, Charles Wright, Richard Lawson, etc, etc, pick up a "top-up" wage from the CL, to supplement their main PL earnings.   

If the PL were to collapse, those riders would either need a big pay rise from their one remaining British team or they'd need a foreign league place, which would bring clashes with any British team who don't ride on either a Monday or Thursday.

e.g.  A collapse of the PL would see Danny King's Plymouth signing fall through.  He couldn't ride solely for Plymouth money.   He'd be better going to Ipswich on a Thursday and picking up a foreign league.  

The CL absolutely need the PL to survive, or else it will be the end for some of them.

 

I don’t think that’s true. They pick up two wages. It’s not a top up. If the Premiership teams are cast out into the cold then there won’t be a top league for those riders to ride in. It’ll be Championship or no job here. 

The Championship needing the Premiership and vice versa is a falsity. The Championship is in a stronger position. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Ben91

[1 valve]

21 minutes ago, TB1 said:

Everyone is talking about different permutations and this that and the other. My question is this. For non UK riders, what exactly are the visa requirements.

I ask the question because presumably if we to need to populate 14 sides for example and just say we need to get riders who may be well down the pecking order in say any EU country or even Denmark or Sweden for example.

Would they demand top dollar as British Speedway would have a begging bowl?

 

This one league concept of 14 or so clubs keeps getting regurgitated together with what appears to be ignorance of a few immovable barriers. 
1. one league means the removal of doubling up. 
2. The league would need to hold meetings on quite a few nights other than Monday or Thursday. 
3. All riders who currently ride in Poland will drop out of riding for UK teams. 
4. Scandinavians will not be available to ride on Tuesday and Wednesdays. 
5. The number of riders remaining to form a much watered down league (in terms of skill/ability) will will be sufficient to make no more than 7 or eight teams. 
 

[TTT]

Most CHAMP Clubs need to tread very carefully here as they'll be the ones who'll end up in the mud if One Big League was to happen.

 

Are Edinburgh willing to sacrifice rumoured No.1 Dan Thompson?

Are Plymouth willing to sacrifice their No.1 Danny King?

Are Redcar willing to run the risk of losing potentially 2-4 Riders of their signed up 2026 side?

Are Scunthorpe willing to sacrifice their No.1 Josh Pickering?

 

Going against PREM Clubs and a Two Tier Structure will have consequences.

To quote a famous saying......Be careful what you wish for.

Edited 26 minutes ago by TTT

[TigerIain]

Who says Championship clubs are trying to destroy the Premiership? It's failing on its own. I think what is happening is that no Championship club wants to risk their business by stepping up and taking huge losses.

Remember also there is a history of teams stepping up being screwed over and having to sign the dregs as the Premiership teams won't share out the heat leaders to help a new team at least be competitive to protect their business. They are all too focused on winning and keeping the new team as whipping boys which racks up the financial losses as fans rarely support an uncompetitive team in big numbers. 

Plus from a Glasgow perspective, there would be no special fixture in the calendar to sell. No Edinburgh (you could easily sell a Glasgow v Edinburgh contest at anything), no Berwick for localish rivalry, no Poole (silverware rivals). No offence to anyone but the fixture list would all be a bit 'meh'