What will 2026 UK speedway bring?

[Phannan]

7 minutes ago, SpeedwaySlider72 said:

Define successful? Is winning the top league but losing a mountain of cash more successful than running a profitable enterprise at a lower level?

There are different definitions of success but unless the Premiership can offer a financially sustainable model then Championship clubs appear to be sensibly choosing to stay at a level that is viable.

You miss my point. Hopefully by being successful at the highest level you can attract more people through the gate . More sales of merchandise etc. if clubs showed more ambition and operated at the highest level possible, then that league would become more viable, the racing would undoubtedly be better, more teams with better riders. Meaningful success. Improve the sport as a product. Hopefully more attractive for the tv and the ££ that would bring. Clubs dictating to the sport is all wrong. In my opinion. 

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

29 minutes ago, SpeedwaySlider72 said:

Define successful? Is winning the top league but losing a mountain of cash more successful than running a profitable enterprise at a lower level?

There are different definitions of success but unless the Premiership can offer a financially sustainable model then Championship clubs appear to be sensibly choosing to stay at a level that is viable.

With no Premiership there is no viable level for the Championshio either

Rider numbers and costs are only possible in the Championship due to subsidy from Premiership funding

 

[1 valve]

12 hours ago, TTT said:

Then PREM Clubs can't have a PREM in 2026.

If a CHAMP Club has to make sacrifices to prop up the PREM then they'll have to have something in return.

It works both ways and a compromise will have to be met.

Folk on here for the large part appear not to grasp or at least wish to acknowledge Prem & Champ leagues are not individual entities but part of the BSPL. 
A workable solution needs to be found that represents the best interests of the collective BSPL.
Should an impasse prevail and a solution to the current problems facing the prem cannot be agreed and implemented it would be a complete mistake to assume the consequences will only effect those clubs currently in the Prem as the implications will be far more reaching and severely impact most if not all champ clubs to (for some) oblivion. 

 

[TigerIain]

29 minutes ago, ouch said:

Overall number of participants.

13-4=9

8-1=7

2015/2025

Doesn't tell the whole story though

Somerset, Peterborough, Rye House all stepped up and are no more. Ipswich and Sheffield stepped up. Newcastle went bankrupt. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Berwick, Workington, Plymouth, Scunthorpe and Redcar are all still there. 

Coventry, Lakeside, Swindon and Wolves are no more. Poole dropped down. BV, KL and Leicester are still there. 

8 minutes ago, Phannan said:

You miss my point. Hopefully by being successful at the highest level you can attract more people through the gate . More sales of merchandise etc. if clubs showed more ambition and operated at the highest level possible, then that league would become more viable, the racing would undoubtedly be better, more teams with better riders. Meaningful success. Improve the sport as a product. Hopefully more attractive for the tv and the ££ that would bring. Clubs dictating to the sport is all wrong. In my opinion. 

"Hopefully" but you lose your own fans preferred race night. You lose your local derbies (Glasgow v Edinburgh 10 times is a bit much, but you can sell that better than Glasgow v BV/Ipswich/KL 4 times each).

Every club paying riders beyond their means does not make a sport viable.

Better riders do not always make better races. GP rider Jason Doyle could be signed in the Championship on a converted 11.79 average and would win most races by half a lap (Yawn!). They do not increase your crowds as Joe Public have never heard of them. A shrinking league and constant repetition of fixtures is not attractive to fans or tv. Close races with evenly balanced teams provides more entertainment. And for all of Glasgow's success last year, they had a lot of last heat deciders (particularly away from home).

[therefused]

25 minutes ago, Phannan said:

You miss my point. Hopefully by being successful at the highest level you can attract more people through the gate . More sales of merchandise etc. if clubs showed more ambition and operated at the highest level possible, then that league would become more viable, the racing would undoubtedly be better, more teams with better riders. Meaningful success. Improve the sport as a product. Hopefully more attractive for the tv and the ££ that would bring. Clubs dictating to the sport is all wrong. In my opinion. 

That doesnt seem to happen though, and hasnt happened in the previous 20+ years so why would it start happening now?

[mikebv]

14 minutes ago, 1 valve said:

Folk on here for the large part appear not to grasp or at least wish to acknowledge Prem & Champ leagues are not individual entities but part of the BSPL. 
A workable solution needs to be found that represents the best interests of the collective BSPL.
Should an impasse prevail and a solution to the current problems facing the prem cannot be agreed and implemented it would be a complete mistake to assume the consequences will only effect those clubs currently in the Prem as the implications will be far more reaching and severely impact most if not all champ clubs to (for some) oblivion. 

 

I think pretty much everyone on here recognises that it is very much a collective. .

And pretty much everyone on here also seem to recognise that the top league is an unsustainable, unfit for purpose, busted flush, that not enough people want to support financially by attending in enough numbers, and not enough teams want to join for those very reasons...

The time has come, (it actually came around two decades ago) for less full time professionals and more semi pro riders....

One job outside of speedway, should they not want to go overseas once or twice a week, and one job in Speedway..

How it "used to be" before Doubling Up and Guestfests became the operating model so riders could become full time professionals with plenty of meetings..

I always think if is quite telling how that when the sport was popular, the promoters were mainly businessmen and entrepreneur's who did "all sorts" to get a crowd in, and didn't do a deal unless they benefited too...

Nowadays many promoters are ex riders, and I just wonder whether some are too close to the riders, and have too much of an affinity to them... 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by mikebv

[TTT]

British Speedway simply can't fuction without the D/UP Scheme and a Two Tier Structure that see's PREM Clubs footing the bill when it comes to British Riders.

I don't buy certain excuses and obstacles when it comes to Glasgow and Poole.

Both of these Clubs would be Title Challengers in the PREM, They wouldn't be carrying on from where the Spires and Brummies left off.

For example -> Poole are very close with the Holder and Cook Brothers.

Every route / avenue hasn't been explored until these Two Clubs have made the same effort as Oxford did when they put British Speedway First by stepping out of thier comfort zone.

Yes it didn't work out.....But will all due respect to Oxford, They're not a Club like Glasgow or Poole.

The Sports future in the UK shouldn't revolve around One Club's Fixtures against Berwick and Edinburgh.

The Sports future in the UK shouldn't revolve around One Promotions favoured Race Night.

Edited 6 hours ago by TTT

[ouch]

42 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Not that’s it worth anything but my opinion is if we wait till January and then it’s announced a 5 or even 6 team premier with or without tv money then the speedway is in big trouble next year, nobody wants a premier league to see the same teams over and over, last year with 7 teams it was repetitive,let’s hope something happens in the coming week/s to force it to be 1 league and we can get on with making that keague work to the best of its ability, I’d of liked the top 5 teams to have wanted to have 1 league by choice but if it is forced then so be it, the fans want it and from what I hear British riders want it too 

Apart from one team, Belle Vue met everyone twice at home and twice away. It was not repetitive. 

14 teams can’t meet home and away twice as there are not enough available dates. 

Once home plus the addition of a north/south league cup would give 19. Add in one cup meeting then that’s a guaranteed 20 meetings with the potential of another 7

Double downers were guaranteed 29 meetings last year with a potential of another 12 so why the hell do they desire one big league? Is it because they think they will get top league money for ALL their meetings as that won’t happen due to the strength of the league. They will get second division money for ALL their meetings. So they will lose up to 34% of their meetings and have a lower mean average wage per meeting. Double whammy and they want that?

 

[ouch]

42 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Not that’s it worth anything but my opinion is if we wait till January and then it’s announced a 5 or even 6 team premier with or without tv money then the speedway is in big trouble next year, nobody wants a premier league to see the same teams over and over, last year with 7 teams it was repetitive,let’s hope something happens in the coming week/s to force it to be 1 league and we can get on with making that keague work to the best of its ability, I’d of liked the top 5 teams to have wanted to have 1 league by choice but if it is forced then so be it, the fans want it and from what I hear British riders want it too 

Apart from one team, Belle Vue met everyone twice at home and twice away. It was not repetitive. 

14 teams can’t meet home and away twice as there are not enough available dates. 

Once home plus the addition of a north/south league cup would give 19. Add in one cup meeting then that’s a guaranteed 20 meetings with the potential of another 7

Double downers were guaranteed 29 meetings last year with a potential of another 12 so why the hell do they desire one big league? Is it because they think they will get top league money for ALL their meetings as that won’t happen due to the strength of the league. They will get second division money for ALL their meetings. So they will lose up to 34% of their meetings and have a lower mean average wage per meeting. Double whammy and they want that?

 

[mikebv]

28 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

With no Premiership there is no viable level for the Championshio either

Rider numbers and costs are only possible in the Championship due to subsidy from Premiership funding

 

Or they get a job outside Speedway?

Like the majority of riders used to do....

Or they get another team place riding in Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany or France? 

[therefused]

14 minutes ago, ouch said:

Apart from one team, Belle Vue met everyone twice at home and twice away. It was not repetitive. 

14 teams can’t meet home and away twice as there are not enough available dates. 

Once home plus the addition of a north/south league cup would give 19. Add in one cup meeting then that’s a guaranteed 20 meetings with the potential of another 7

Double downers were guaranteed 29 meetings last year with a potential of another 12 so why the hell do they desire one big league? Is it because they think they will get top league money for ALL their meetings as that won’t happen due to the strength of the league. They will get second division money for ALL their meetings. So they will lose up to 34% of their meetings and have a lower mean average wage per meeting. Double whammy and they want that?

 

5 man teams would be 6 rides per meeting each too, automatically boosting the riders points money but the club could potentially save on equipment, signing on fees etc. 

[TTT]

Rob Godfey is more hopeful of keeping the Two Tier Structure in 2026 (Speedway Star)

[1 valve]

3 hours ago, mikebv said:

Only went once, my mate got me a freebie...

Didn't take to it so never went again...

However, the overall presentation was light years ahead of UK Speedway, use of lighting, music, fans interaction etc, and there were a couple of hundred kids in attendance I would think...

(Mind you. It was weekend!)..😉

Edit .

Yes, they have an advantage of not ever being rained off...

But. They also have never paid £3k to £5k for any on their team for one match, never mind two of their team...

The UK hockey Elite League has fully professional players being paid on average citcs 40k per season. Match day squads are limited to 20 players from a full roster of 25. The average total cost for players is circa £900k over a 26 week regular season meaning an average weekly squad cost of 36k However those figures are averages Imported foreign players are paid in a range of between 70k - 120k (so up to £4k per week) with the majority of British players earning an average of 25k

On top of that there are bonuses paid based on performance. As well as accommodation, transport including air fares (for foreign nationals) and university fees to name a few  .

Edited 5 hours ago by 1 valve

[1 valve]

2 hours ago, SJA said:

Having seen a 2024 riders contract unless the wording has changed it would NOT be null and void.

And if there was to be no prem or champ leagues but a third “hybrid” that the club he signed for was not a part of? Or that the club deemed him surplus to requirements? 

[Fromafar]

1 hour ago, ouch said:

Overall number of participants.

13-4=9

8-1=7

2015/2025

!!

[1 valve]

53 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

With no Premiership there is no viable level for the Championshio either

Rider numbers and costs are only possible in the Championship due to subsidy from Premiership funding

 

So, as it appears most Championship clubs run profitably throughout the season using the majority of riders who ride in the loss making Premiership. 
Maybe the Championship clubs should underwrite any potential losses of the team stepping up to the Premiership in order to keep open their source of affordable riders. 

[IainB]

1 hour ago, 1 valve said:

Folk on here for the large part appear not to grasp or at least wish to acknowledge Prem & Champ leagues are not individual entities but part of the BSPL. 
A workable solution needs to be found that represents the best interests of the collective BSPL.
Should an impasse prevail and a solution to the current problems facing the prem cannot be agreed and implemented it would be a complete mistake to assume the consequences will only effect those clubs currently in the Prem as the implications will be far more reaching and severely impact most if not all champ clubs to (for some) oblivion. 

 

You've hit the nail on the head here, the PL & CL are not individual entities so why, with such small numbers, aren't they riding in the same league to prove that? Without a TV deal (and the sponsorship that brings) and without a sudden unexpected rise in crowd numbers all clubs are (financially) Championship level clubs.

Edited 5 hours ago by IainB

[mikebv]

26 minutes ago, 1 valve said:

The UK hockey Elite League has fully professional players being paid on average between 40k per season. Match day squads are limited to 20 players from a full roster of 25. The average total cost for players is circa £900k over a 26 week regular season meaning an average weekly squad cost of 36k However those figures are averages Imported foreign players are paid in a range of between 70k - 120k (so up to £4k per week) with the majority of British players earning an average of 25k

On top of that there are bonuses paid based on performance. As well as accommodation, transport including air fares (for foreign nationals) and university fees to name a few  .

As with any averaging the devil is in the detail...

Just like Ipswich and Birmingham, the Steelers and the Storm as a long way apart in attendances and salaries..

However, 27 home matches with an average of 3600 paying around £23 to £25, overall, brings a lot of money into the coffers of the sport..  

And none pay out £3k to £5k per match for the 54 they play...

They do seem to be well ran though to be fair, even with a lack of mainstream media coverage, and don't seem to have to go through "desperate measures" each season, nor end up owing their players "big money"...

[Littleze]

It looks like Chelsea have a team… maybe Arry’s influence has started. 😊https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/new-speedway-collection

[1 valve]

6 minutes ago, IainB said:

You've hit the nail on the head here, the PL & CL are not individual entities so why, with such small numbers, aren't they riding in the same league to prove that? Without a TV deal (and the sponsorship that brings) and without a sudden unexpected rise in crowd numbers all clubs are (financially) Championship clubs.

Because unfortunately.
There are insufficient number of riders to  make 14 team’s viably competitive. 
There is no willingness to adopt a team structure different to the current 7 man teams. 
Teams will not agree to race on restricted nights. Their night or no night (they should be careful what they wish for
It is not desirable by the BSPL to only have one league of eight teams. 

12 minutes ago, IainB said: