The Rugby Football League (RFL) has today announced that a new Halifax Panthers club has been granted a licence to compete in the Betfred Championship. This follows the demise of the old club last month, as they were placed into compulsory liquidation following being subject to a winding-up order as a result of their mounting debts.

The new club will face a baptism of fire this weekend (should they be able to assemble a team) when they welcome the London Broncos to The Shay. Their postponed games against Sheffield Eagles and Barrow Raiders will be played by the new club at a later date, if possible.

RFL interim chief executive, Abi Ekoku, said: “The Rugby Football League is delighted to welcome Halifax back into the 2026 Betfred Championship.”

“We understand the trauma to players, staff and fans in recent weeks; but remained hopeful that the club would have a chance of survival.  That has proved to be the case, primarily down to an exceptional community,  corporate and political effort.”

“We wish them well for the rest of the competition and will continue to support them in that endeavour.”

The new club is spearheaded by a businessman, local to Halifax, Martyn Buchan, who was also quoted in the RFL statement: “It’s a great relief that Halifax Panthers will participate in 2026 to continue their 153-year membership of the Rugby Football League.”

“Thanks to all the invested staff, sponsors, the governing body and the Calderdale Council who have helped make it possible for this to happen.”

“The RFL has been really supportive in getting us to this stage and now, over this next period of time, we’ll be focusing on simplifying our model and doing more in the community for the good of rugby league in Halifax.”

Questions will undoubtedly be asked of the governing body, as their statement also said that the new club will suffer a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season as a result of them being liquidated and being unable to fulfil fixtures. The same punishment was not forthcoming for the new Salford club when they were granted access to the RFL Championship for 2026. Admittedly, they had not had to pull out of any fixtures this season, but they, too, had entered liquidation and returned, and so the RFL are leaving themselves wide open for criticism and accusations of favouritism, justified or not.

The new Halifax Panthers have five named directors: Adam Butterfield, Jason Clough, Christopher Brooke, Benjamin Walker and John Coulter. Mr Butterfield was also a director of the previous company, as was the previously mentioned Mr Buchan.

Written by Nathan Major (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Source: RFL statement – https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64587/rfl-approves-halifax-panthers-membership-and-2026-betfred-championship-entry, new Halifax club Companies House filing – https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/17060269, previous Halifax club Companies House filing – https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06190029