NEWS Wednesday 7th January 2026, 6:00pm
Edinburgh Monarchs
The structure of the 2026 Cab Direct Championship, and the wider British Speedway season, has been confirmed following the sport's AGM earlier this week. Find out what's coming up in the year ahead.
All nine teams will return to contest the 2026 season: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, Plymouth, Poole, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington.
Each team will once again built to a points limit of 40 for seven riders, with a further requirement that each team may only include one rider with a match average above 8.00 in their initial declaration.
The Championship league format remains unchanged with teams meeting once home and away over the course of the season, with the top four teams then contesting the Play Offs.
Also continuing will be the KO Cup and BSN Series competitions, with dates for the Finals of these competitions fixed in the calendar from the start of the season to ensure timely completion of each competition.
Exciting season ahead
The 2025 season brought much excitement throughout the year, including a scintillating Play Off series. With the Championship retaining the same structure for 2026, there will be great anticipation of another thrilling season ahead.
Action will return to Armadale Stadium this spring with Monarchs fielding a strong team including new number 1 Dan Thompson, joined by returning Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna, Kye Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Jordy Loftus, and new reserve Mitch Cluff.
News on 2026 Monarchs Gold Memberships will follow in the coming weeks, along with the 2026 fixture. Keep an eye here on the official Monarchs website for all the latest news.
Join Campbell joins directors
Monarchs Co-Promoter John Campbell has had his position on British Speedway's Board of Directors formalised as a full director, stepping up from his reserve position of last year.
Rob Godfrey (Chairman) (Scunthorpe), Damien
Bates (Vice-Chairman) (Sheffield), Rob Lyon (King's Lynn), and Mark Lemon (Belle Vue), join John to make up the full board with fellow Monarchs Co-Promoter Alex Harkess retaining his role as British Speedway President.
Adjustments to 2026 rulebook
The following rule changes have been agreed and will be included in the 2026 SCB Regulations:
Super heats - A match which is drawn after Heat 15 will no longer be followed by a Super Heat, with both teams receiving one league point only.
A Super Heat will now only be staged in the event of aggregate scores after home and away matches being tied, in order to resolve the Aggregate Point, or to establish which team progresses in a two-legged competition.
Returning riders (Championship only) - If a professional British rider has not ridden in previous seasons, they may apply for a reduction on their previous Championship average of 8 per cent for each year missing. It is hoped that this will provide some assistance to riders who have taken time out of the sport, and who are now once again seeking team places.
Championship Pairs - First choice of gate selection for the Final will now go to the club with the highest score in the meeting. Previously this criteria was applied for the semi-finals, whereas first choice gate selection in the Final was determined by a coin toss.
British Development
Five teams have so far confirmed entries for the 2026 National Development League, with the potential for up to three more teams to join them.
It is anticipated that a meeting of NDL clubs will take place before the end of January in order to confirm arrangements for this league.
Further news on the Edinburgh Monarchs Academy team will follow this meeting.
Premiership
Five teams have been confirmed to contest the 2026 season: Belle Vue, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Leicester and Sheffield. Attempts are still being made to include a sixth team in the Premiership.
© Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway 2026
Bathgate Road
Armadale
EH48 2PD
