Whilst the focus has been on which players Super League clubs are bringing in ahead of 2026, there is a heap of quality talent in the second tier.
The remodelled Championship structure will see teams from the UK’s second and third tier combine into one 21-team league next season, with clubs playing 24 matches across the campaign.
What the division will look like completely has not yet been revealed, with clubs waiting to find out the full details of how their season will work.
What we do know though, is that the division will play host to some incredibly talented players next year, with a range of clubs all significantly upgrading their squads.
Here is arguably the best thirteen of players who will be competing in the Championship next year, which on paper would be a handful in Super League, let alone the second tier.
Championship best XIII including ex-World Cup winner
Full-back: Ryan Brierley
Following his exit from Salford part-way through last year, Brierley signed a two and a half year deal with neighbours Oldham, and featured in their final five matches.
A man with almost 350 career games under his belt, the 33-year-old is still a key attacking threat that will play a huge role if the Roughyeds are to have success next year.
Wingers: Morea Morea and Edene Gebbie
Whilst Morea will play at full-back for London Broncos next year, his talent was too good to leave him out. The PNG international will be working under his international coach, Jason Demetriou, in the capital.
Fellow countryman, Gebbie, produced a try-scoring masterclass this season, crossing 25 times in 22 matches for Doncaster. He will be looking to continue that form as the Dons look to push for a playoff place.
Other wingers in the Championship include near-200-game NRL veteran David Nofoaluma and former Hull FC man Bureta Faraimo.
Centres: Kieran Gill and Jake Bibby
Former Castleford and Bradford man, Gill, saw his time at the Bulls come to an end as they decided not to offer him a new deal. He will now turn out for Sheffield Eagles, after signing a two-year deal.
Meanwhile, Bibby, a former Wigan and Salford man, will represent Oldham next season after turning down Super League offers to play for the Roughyeds. He has 195 games worth of Super League experience.
Halves: Dean Hawkins and Jordan Abdull
Most top flight clubs would bite your hand off if you offered them a man who made 12 NRL appearances this season and a former England international as a halves pairing.
Hawkins is one of many major signings done by the Broncos, whilst Adbull returns to the sport after a year away and has signed for Widnes Vikings.
Props: Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jack Ormondroyd
Two-time World Cup winner Campbell-Gillard was the first signing announced by London following their takeover by Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel. The 32-year-old has 245 NRL games to his name, as well as three State of Origin appearances.
Ormondroyd, like Brierley, joined Oldham mid-season and instantly made an impact. Under Paul Rowley, the Leeds academy product was in career best form, and if he replicates that next year will be one of the most dominant forwards in the second tier.
Hooker: Siliva Havili
Another Broncos signings, Havili was part of Tonga’s Pacific Championships squad that faced New Zealand and Samoa last month.
Tipped earlier in the year to move to St Helens, he will be working with Demetriou as the club push for a place in Super League.
Back-rowers: George Griffin and Matty Ashurst
Recently released Castleford man Griffin will join Gill in moving to Sheffield next year, and will reunite with former boss Craig Lingard.
Former Salford and St Helens man, Ashurst, enjoyed a brilliant season with Oldham in 2025, scoring eight tries in 23 matches.
Loose forward: Adam Milner
Another Roughyed, Milner joined Oldham from Huddersfield ahead of this season, and has played a key role in helping the club finish so highly in their first season back in the second tier. He will be hoping to do more of the same as he goes round again for the 17th season of his career.
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