Betfred World Club Challenge Returns in 2026
The Betfred World Club Challenge is set to return in 2026, with Hull KR hosting the Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium. This event will feature the 2025 champions from the Betfred Super League and the NRL’s Telstra Premiership.
Match Details
The game will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Several Australian stars from the Ashes series, including Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, and Patrick Carrigan, are expected to travel quickly back to the UK to compete against Hull KR's England trio: Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, and Joe Burgess.
Official Statement
“We are delighted that Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos have confirmed the return of the Betfred World Club Challenge in 2026. Rugby League’s Anglo-Australian rivalry takes the sport to a wider audience, as we have seen in the current Ashes series, and it’s wonderful to see the World Club Challenge heading for the first time to the great Rugby League city of Hull. Hull KR will become only the sixth British club to earn the privilege of playing in the World Club Challenge, a fitting reward for the outstanding progress they have made in recent seasons. They could have no more attractive opposition than Brisbane Broncos, one of the most resonant names in Australian sport.”
— Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of RL Commercial
Significance
- This marks the first time the World Club Challenge will take place in Hull, highlighting the city's growing rugby league presence.
- Hull KR’s inclusion reflects their remarkable development over recent years, earning them a prestigious place among British clubs.
- The match promises a high-profile contest featuring top talent from both sides of the globe.
Author's summary: The 2026 Betfred World Club Challenge returns to the UK with Hull KR hosting Brisbane Broncos, showcasing elite rugby league talent and marking a milestone for Hull as a major rugby city.