Rugby League: Three Clubs Vying for League 1 Spot in 2025
The Rugby Football League has confirmed that the race to join League 1 in 2025 has been narrowed down to three contenders: Anglian Vipers, Bedford Tigers, and Goole Vikings.
Earlier this year, the RFL opened applications following the decision to restructure the professional game starting from the 2025 season. A new team was deemed necessary to join the third-tier league at the beginning of the next campaign.
The RFL received 11 expressions of interest, but only three have been selected to advance to the final stage. Both Goole and Bedford had already publicly expressed their intent to compete in League 1 next year.
The inclusion of Anglian Vipers, based in Norfolk and currently playing in the East Rugby League division, has come as a surprise to many.
The three applications will now undergo a more detailed review, with RFL officials planning to visit and assess the facilities of each club over the summer months. The final presentations will take place at the Etihad Campus in August, and the decision on the newest professional team is expected to be announced by the end of September.
More updates on this developing story will follow.
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