A statement from Richie Myler after Hull FC’s IMG score was confirmed.
Richie Myler believes Hull FC’s Grade A score from IMG is a clear ‘indication’ that the club are ‘heading in the right direction’.
The Black and Whites are one of nine clubs to be awarded Grade A status, with Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards, Catalans Dragons, and Wakefield Trinity also receiving the top grade. The other three clubs confirmed to be in the Super League are Bradford Bulls, who will return to the competition next year after a 12-year hiatus; Castleford Tigers; and Huddersfield Giants.
An independent board will select two more teams on Friday, with Toulouse Olympique finishing 13th and York Knights 14th. London Broncos will also be considered having finished 16th. Salford Red Devils are 15th and are relegated from Super League.
Meanwhile, Hull scored 15.06 points overall, earning a 0.55 point increase from their 14.51 Grade B score last year, with Myler highlighting the work done both on and off the field to increase their score and grading.
“We are absolutely delighted to see the club earn Grade A status for 2026,” Myler said. “This is testament to the hard work both on and off the field throughout the year and a clear indication that this is a club heading in the right direction.
“Achieving Grade A status was one of the key targets we set ourselves ahead of the season, so this is another major step forward us and I thank each and every individual across the club who has played a role in allowing us to achieve this.
“While there are many areas of the grading system we are unable to influence quickly due to much of the scoring being based on three-year averages, we identified league performance and catchment as the two key areas we could improve our score significantly. A much improved campaign on the field, as well as the signing of our Rugby League Development Agreement with North Lincolnshire Council, has seen us achieve those targets and ultimately taken us above the all-important 15-point mark.
“We are pleased to have maintained strong scores across all five pillars of the grading. In fandom, we have achieved record-breaking social media engagements in 2025 as well as organically increasing our audience by more than 11%; our financial scores have remained strong and will only improve further over the coming years; we have achieved all of the points realistically currently available to us in relation to our stadium and increased our utilisation thanks to increased attendances; and we continue to score strongly in the community thanks to the continued brilliant work of our Hull FC Community Foundation.
“While some of the grading scoring metrics remain frustrating, particularly around the stadium pillar in relation to big screens and utilisation, with us ultimately being penalised despite playing in one of the competition’s premier facilities, we are hopeful of identifying key areas we can increase our score even further next season as we aim to continually improve and develop in all areas across the club over the coming seasons.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and partners for their incredible support throughout 2025 – we have enjoyed the highs and lows of a season of great progress together, and we’re confident that this is just the first chapter of an exciting journey together over the coming seasons. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.”
A full breakdown of Hull FC’s IMG score can be found here.