Rochdale Hornets 2025 IMG grading confirmed

Below, supporters can see an explanation of how Rochdale Hornets scored in IMG’s 2025 club grading process, as part of the ‘Reimagining Rugby League’ strategy.

The Hornets achieved an overall score of 5.52, securing Grade C status and placing the club 30th in IMG's official club grading table.

A breakdown of the club's score can be found below:

• Fandom: 1.73 out of a possible 5
• Performance: 0.46 out of a possible 5
• Finance: 1.25 out of a possible 4.5
• Stadium: 0.58 out of a possible 3
• Community: 1.5 out of a possible 2.5

IMG grading highlights

Fandom

Of the possible five points on offer for fandom, 1.5 is based on the club's digital output. 

The club has achieved 10% year-on-year growth, both in terms of social following and total engagement. 

Across all Rochdale Hornets social media channels, follower numbers are +13% on 2024 figures, with engagement at +88%.

Although digital numbers have vastly improved, as a result of the hard work of our media team to curate consistent, high-quality content for our online audience, a changing of the digital scoring criteria means points have been lost in this area.

This is something which has affected many clubs across all levels of the professional rugby league structure. 

Attendance

It has been a very positive 2025 for attendance, illustrating three years of growth in this area. 

Attendance numbers in our latest IMG submission show a +15% increase from 2024 and +54% increase from 2023.

The club has worked tirelessly to engage with the local community, providing a series of hugely popular themed games over the last two seasons. 

With attendance numbers on the rise, we hope to see this trend continue on an upward trajectory, with 2026 season tickets expected to go on sale later this month. 

Stadium

Our stadium utilisation score has also increased slightly over a three-year period.

Overall comments from chairman Andy Mazey

I’m pro return-on-investment models in business and sport, and a believer in increasing minimum standards across the game. 

However, the more I see of this grading system, the more I believe it needs a serious rethink. 

Disappointingly, our overall score does not reflect the investment, hard work and diligent current ownership and management of Rochdale Hornets. However as we always do, we will focus on the positives, and stick to doing things the right way and controlling the controllable. 

There are some very positive and strong growth results in key areas amongst this news which we can demonstrate to our commercial partners, sponsors and potential investors. Our continued investment in the big picture and tangible growth in areas such as our community hub, women's, and wheelchair teams will pay dividends in the long term.

We believe we have put together a competitive men’s squad and are excited to be back in the Championship for 2026 and will soon be launching some exciting season ticket and membership packages. 

Our commercial efforts are as rigorous as ever, we are growing year on year in this regard and Matt, Carl and Jason are always keen to open new doors and engage sponsors and partners new and old.

Ultimately for Rochdale Hornets to grow, we need more people supporting the club - not just sponsors but supporters buying season tickets, supporting club and Foundation events and initiatives, and engaging digitally with us while encouraging others to do the same. 

Every single person who cares about Rochdale Hornets can be a contributor in some way to the club’s growth and its future.

We remain 100% focused on delivering for our supporters and the Borough of Rochdale and being a club to be proud of. 

Working TOGETHER, I have no doubt we will succeed. Whatever a grading system ranks us, we know what our true value is and more importantly what the vision is.