Speedway: Sheffield announce return of Josh Pickering for 2026, as Tigers complete line-up
Sheffield have completed their line up for the 2026 speedway season - with the confirmation of the final name in the line up.
Tigers have confirmed Josh Pickering will be in the team for the new season, meaning the club will field six of the seven riders which finished last season, a season which saw Sheffield finish at the top of the table.
Pickering has been a fan favourite among the Owlerton faithful since he first rode for the club four years ago, and his signing also means that three of the seven riders who won the Premiership grand final in 2023 at Owlerton are in this year’s team, with former world champion Chris Holder, and Jye Etheridge also in the team.
Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, and Leon Flint also return from last season, with rising star Luke Killeen the only new face.
Tigers team manager Simon Stead said: “Everybody knows my thoughts on Picko by now and we’re over the moon to keep him for another year,” Stead said.
“He’s all-action on track, he’s established himself as an out-and-out heat-leader in the top-flight and he’s a brilliant captain to have.
“There’s no doubt about it we’re going to need him to maintain a similar level of performance this season, if not keep improving, and there’s no reason why he can’t do that.”
Tigers say their premiership plans continue to gather pace behind the scenes and the club hope to be in a position to announce season ticket details very soon.
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The club are also working on different commercial packages and hope to launch in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the line up for the National Development League has been announced - with Sheffield not included in the six teams which have been named as fielding sides.
For the last two seasons the club had fielded joint teams with Scunthorpe, but this season’s line up will be Buxton, Edinburgh, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Oxford.
Under British Development regulations, all clubs not competing in the National Development League must participate in the one or more of the National League Riders Development Individual, Midland Development League, Northern Junior League, Second Half Open Invitation or a standalone British Youth Championship Round.