Darren Lockyer is leading a takeover of the London Broncos with backing from Brisbane, with hopes to join the Super League in 2026. They plan to have Jason Demetriou as the coach, recruit top NRL players, and give the team a fresh look to boost rugby league in London; watch every Super League game live on Sky Sports.
Lockyer believes changing the London Broncos could really change how rugby league is viewed worldwide.
NRL star Lockyer and his business partner Grant Wechsel were in London this past weekend to push forward their plan to buy the Broncos. They also made a formal request to join the expanded Super League in 2026.
The two attended the last home game of the Championship season, watching the team lose 34-24 to the Bradford Bulls in Wimbledon on Saturday.
On the All Out Rugby League podcast, Lockyer shared his ideas on tapping into the unused potential of a Super League team in London.
“I want rugby league to be the best it can be all over the world, and London is a big part of that,” he stated. “This is a chance to save the club and promote rugby league as a sport. “
He added, “We’re focusing on making sure the business side is solid.
“Winning games is important, but I believe that with my experience from NRL and the consultants we have who know how to grow sports clubs in Australia, we can apply that knowledge here.
In London, you can’t think like teams in the north; you have to approach it differently. London is a unique market, and our strategy will be customized for that. “
The takeover, facilitated by Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington, should be finished by the end of this month.
The Brisbane Broncos, the team where Lockyer played his whole career, are supporting this group, reviving a historic connection between the two teams that goes back to the 1990s.
The new owners want to change the team’s branding before the 2026 season, fully utilize the salary cap, and sign three star players to make a stronger team.
Lockyer mentioned that former Widnes and Wakefield player, who is now the head coach of Papua New Guinea, Jason Demetriou is set to be the Broncosβ coach if they get into the Super League.
Demetriou has a lot of experience from both the English and Australian rugby leagues. He was part of the coaching team that helped the North Queensland Cowboys win the 2015 NRL Grand Final and led the South Sydney Rabbitohs to a preliminary final before leaving in 2024.
‘Two important hires’
Wechsel didn’t give specific names for the potential captains but suggested that revealing their main target would make big headlines in Australia.
“We’re already in talks with some players,” Lockyer said. “The coach is ready to go, as long as we get into the Super League. “
Jason Demetriou is someone we are interested in. He has a lot of experience in England, both as a player and as a coach. He managed to lead South Sydney Rabbitohs to a preliminary final, but then he had a tough season. He hasn’t been coaching for a while, but now he has a chance to work with us.
“We are also focusing on bringing in our club captain. We want someone with a lot of experience from the NRL to join us.
We’re aiming for strong leadership, and if we make the right choices with these two roles, we believe we can quickly create a solid team.
“We believe there are a few players on the current Broncos team who could really succeed in the Super League. In our first year, we hope to be close to making the finals.
The Broncos play their games at Cherry Red Records Stadium, home of AFC Wimbledon. Lockyer and Wechsel plan to stay there and make it a great place for the team in the near future.
“You have to start small before you can grow bigger,” Lockyer mentioned. “The stadium is just right for where the club is now.
“Our goal is to gather enough members so that every time we have a home game, the stadium is full. If we need a bigger venue later, that will be a good sign. “
