Super League have released fixtures for the opening round of the 2026 season, and there are some huge ties to kick off the campaign.
In the past, we have seen the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves go at it to kick the season off, whilst the Hull derby opened proceedings in 2024.
This year, the year opened with one of the most dramatic games the competition has ever seen, with Leigh Leopards edging out Wigan Warriors in a 1-0 thriller, in what was the first time a game had ended that scoreline in Super League history.
With the addition of three new teams, there will be plenty of discussion heading into 2026 as to how they will fare, and if they have the ability to compete with the already established clubs in the division.
From sides that are making their long-awaited return, to ones that are in the top flight for the first time, there are plenty of talking points that will surround Round One of the 2026 Super League season.
The biggest talking points from each Super League Round One game
York Knights vs Hull KR
York Knights’ first ever Super League game couldn’t have come against any tougher opposition, as they take on reigning champions Hull KR to kick off the campaign.
Mark Applegarth’s men finished the Championship season at the top of the table before losing to Toulouse in the Grand Final, and with an 1895 Cup win to add, they have more than earned their place in the top flight.
Now, they need to prove they can stay there, and whilst games against the likes of KR won’t be as crucial for them, putting in a strong performance will be vital if they are to start things off right.
For KR, this match will act as a warm-up for the World Club Challenge, with them facing Brisbane Broncos the following week. They will want to make sure their team is fully fit and match sharp for when they welcome the Australian outfit, and a convincing win would do their confidence a world of good, albeit against weaker opposition.
Catalans Dragons vs Huddersfield Giants
Both sides hugely underperformed last year, but have since made improvements to try and climb up the table.
Catalans have a whole new squad after letting over a dozen players leave and bringing in a similar number to replace them, including established NRL stars Toby Sexton and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui. Lewis Dodd also returns to the Super League following his year Down Under, with pressure on him to perform once again.
The game will kick-off at 6pm UK time, with the RFL confirming to Serious About Rugby League that the game is due to be played at that time at the home side’s request. With an extra fixture each week, could a Friday evening kick-off in the south of France become the norm, as to avoid any potential clashes?
Warrington Wolves vs St Helens
Paul Rowley’s first game in charge of the Saints will be an away trip to Warrington, as he begins the first match of a three-year contract. The former Salford boss will want to get off to a good start against one of the teams that, on paper, could be a potential play-off rival.
St Helens have been poor over the last three years when it comes to beating the teams in and around the play-off race. That is something that Rowley must fix up if he wants to have any sort of success at his new club.
It’s glaringly obvious that Sam Burgess’ Wolves need to be a whole lot better in 2026, following their woeful efforts in the season just gone, particularly after the Challenge Cup Final. However, one thing that the club did do well last year was getting the edge over the Red Vee.
In all three meetings this season, Warrington emerged victorious, with two wins in the league and one in the cup, all in the space of a six-week period.
Leigh Leopards vs Leeds Rhinos
The opening week will put together the two sides that finished third and fourth respectively in the league this year, in what is a blockbuster first round tie.
Leigh reached the semi-final stage before losing to Wigan, whilst Leeds were beaten by the Saints in the first eliminator round, which means that both sides didn’t get as far into the competition as they would have hoped.
Whilst Round one certainly won’t decide anything in the short-term, given the closeness between the two teams in 2025, whoever gets the two points here could make all the difference when it comes to the final play-off spots.
The game will also see the return of Ethan O’Neill to the Leopards Den, following his recent switch to the Rhinos, which left some Leigh fans with a sour taste in the mouth. It’s fair to say he won’t be getting a welcome reception on February 13.
Hull FC vs Bradford Bulls
After 12 years away, Bradford Bulls and Odsal Stadium are back in the top flight, following their ranking of 10th in the IMG table.
However, the club will see their first game back come away from home, as they travel to John Cartwright’s Hull FC.
The Bulls have made over a dozen signings to date, including the arrival of released FC prop Will Gardiner as well as the season-long loan signing of Ed Chamberlain.
For the Black and Whites, they narrowly missed out on a place in the top six, and if they are to improve again next season, beating teams like Bradford are a must.
Wakefield Trinity vs Toulouse Olympique
The last time these two sides met was in 2024, as the pair contested the Championship Grand Final. They will now meet again in the top flight, which highlights the progression that both clubs have made, on and off the field.
The likes of Jazz Tevaga and Tyson Smoothy will get their first taste of Super League in what is likely to be a sold out DIY Kitchens Stadium.
Toulouse have been quiet on the arrivals front, but with their squad already being full-time, they needn’t make too many additions. They have brought in Tyler Dupree on loan from Wigan and former Parramatta hooker Brendan Hands on a permanent deal as they hope to make their stay in the top flight longer than their last appearance in 2022.
Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors
To culminate the weekend’s action, you have two teams both at very different stages of their respective coaches tenures.
Ryan Carr will be taking charge of his first Super League game, as he hopes to bring new life to a club that has dwindled over the past few seasons, whilst Matt Peet is entering his fifth season at the helm.
This season was the first that Wigan and Peet went trophyless for the full year, so he will have extra motivation to rectify that, but if he doesn’t the pressure on him will be hugely increased.
With no World Club Challenge or Las Vegas trip this year, Wigan can fully focus on the regular season, and with the likes of Bevan French and Jai Field in the team, have every chance of bringing home a trophy come October.
