North Wales Crusaders set for RFL talks over future

Fri, October 23, 2026 at 1:17 PM UTC

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A previous incarnation of Crusaders played in Super League between 2009 and 2011

North Wales Crusaders officials are to hold talks with the Rugby Football League (RFL) in a bid to save the club.

Crusaders withdrew from the process of bidding for a licence for 2027 earlier this week.

The RFL have said the club had been unable to satisfy their requests for next year.

The governing body have been looking for Crusaders to deposit £150,000 in an escrow account to prove financial funding is in place.

Crusaders will present a revised business plan when they meet RFL officials later on Friday.

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Chairman Jamie Elkaleh said the club had received "overwhelmingly positive and supportive" messages following the announcement.

Rugby league's record loss but Crusaders win survival

Brewery Field to become Crusaders' permanent home

Wales' only professional rugby league side had been on the brink of collapse earlier this year when the owners announced they would no longer provide funding, only months after they had won the League One title.

A group of supporters and volunteers rallied and a new company, NW Rugby League 26 Ltd, was formed and granted an interim licence by the RFL.

The club was deducted 12 points as punishment for its financial failings, and completed the 2026 season with a hastily reassembled squad.

Crusaders finished bottom of the Championship, losing 21 of their 24 games.

Their 134-0 defeat by London Broncos in June was the biggest loss of any side in the top two divisions in the 131-year history of rugby league.

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Source: “AOL Sports”