Leaving 2025 behind and moving into 2026, there’s plenty to look forward to in the great sport of rugby league.
For that reason, we’ve listed 26 reasons to be excited for 2026 with those reasons ranging from individual players to whole competitions, from the Rugby League World Cup to the grassroots game, and from England all the way down to Papua new Guinea.
The bar was set high by 2025 as we saw Hull KR end their trophy drought in style, completing a historic treble which left 2024’s quadruple winners Wigan without any silverware.
As for the Warriors’ women’s side, they won a quadruple of their own in kind as they completed the domestic treble and the mid-season Nines tournament.
Down under, it was all about Reece Walsh as Brisbane Broncos ended Penrith’s run of Grand Final wins. Walsh then came to England and put on a show as the Ashes returned.
With all that in the rear view mirror, here are 26 reasons, in no particular order, why you should be excited about rugby league in 2026.
26 reasons to get excited about rugby league in 2026
1 – World Club Challenge
After we missed out on it in 2025, the World Club Challenge is back and it’s set to be played in England with Hull KR selling out Hull FC’s MKM Stadium for the event.
2 – Rugby League World Cup
When the domestic season is over, we’ll get treated to three concurrent World Cups with the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments all being played in October and November.
3 – Magic Weekend heads to Everton
Magic Weekend has survived and we’re heading to a new venue at the Hill Dickinson Stadium where ticket sales have already been strong.
4 – Return of the Bulls
After more than a decade outside of Super League, the Bulls are finally back.
5 – The Salford rebuild
Salford were a lowlight of 2025 but their rebuild under Mason Caton-Brown and Ryan Brierley is something all rugby league fans want to see.
6 – London Broncos
Have they built the best side in Championship history? Only time will tell but the Broncos are must-watch in 2026.
7 – St Helens under Paul Rowley
The spine issues caused havoc for Saints in 2025 but can Paul Rowley crack the code and get them competing for silverware again?
8 – Wigan Warriors’ women
After their 2025 season, why would you not be excited about Denis Betts’ side.
9 – York Knights’ debut Super League season
The Knights kick off their Super League campaign by hosting Hull KR in a blockbuster game.
10 – Perth Bears’ squad building
More and more players will be signed by Perth Bears who will enter the NRL in 2027.
11 – A French derby in Super League
We’ve only had one year of French derbies and that was in 2022. This time around, they’ll have their own Magic Weekend event.
12 – Castleford under Carr
Castleford have signed very well under Chris Chester and now it’s time for Ryan Carr to see if the Tigers can finally be turned around.
13 – A new-look Championship
A 21-team competition with a 10-team play-off, that’s bound to see plenty of twists and turns.
14 – Challenge Cup
We don’t have to wait long for this with the first round coming in early January. Bring on the giant killings.
15 – 250th Hull derby
Hull derbies are always special but the next one on Good Friday (or earlier if they get match each other in the Challenge Cup) will be the 250th in history.
16 – Reece Walsh
If you saw him in 2025 then you’ll understand why we’re excited about him in 2026.
17 – Hull KR’s treble defence
Hull KR impressed as the hunters when they chased down silverware but how will they fare as the hunted in 2026?
18 – Harry Robertson
Arguably the most exciting talent in English rugby league at the moment. Need we say more.
19 – More Jon Wilkin rants
Love him or hate him, he’s prime time TV when working on punditry.
20 – Can Catalans bounce back
After a spell under Steve McNamara where they were consistently in the top four, Catalans now face a big rebuild. Plenty of overseas signings and a young head coach, what can Catalans do in 2026?
21 – Coaching contract speculation
Both Sam Burgess and Brad Arthur have contract decisions to be made next season with both men previously linked to the NRL.
22 – Transfer talk
Forget the coaches, there are dozens of players off-contract meaning plenty of transfer talk throughout the year.
23 – Smoother video referee system
The RFL have confirmed that the video referee system will be smoother in 2025 and that’s something everyone can get behind.
24 – 30 years of Super League
Look out for anniversary events in March as Super League has it’s 30th birthday.
25 – No more loop fixtures (in Super League)
The move to 14 teams in Super League has removed loops, bar Magic Weekend, meaning a far more balanced calendar.
26 – Las Vegas
Wigan and Warrington lit Vegas up in 2025 and now it’s time for Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos to represent Super League.
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