The 2025 Super League season culminated just under a month ago, as Hull KR edged out Wigan Warriors to claim Grand Final glory and complete a treble winning season at Old Trafford.
However, the Robins won’t be resting on their success for too long, with the 2026 pre-season just around the corner.
Some clubs have already started next year’s preparations, with a few Super League outfits bringing their players back already to start pre-season testing.
Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants players have all been in this week, with their preparations getting underway on Monday.
Catalans Dragons also welcomed players back on Monday, but that was only for medical testing. Joel Tomkins’ men don’t get fully underway until this coming week (November 10) as their new-look squad begins to bond, with signings such as Lewis Dodd, Toby Sexton and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui all joining the Perpignan outfit this off-season.
Castleford Tigers, under new head coach Ryan Carr, are expected to start properly next week, too, with the club releasing footage of the former NRL assistant’s first day at the club earlier this week. He has stated that his pre-season will be like no other the club has seen before, with a real focus being put on intensity and fitness.
St Helens head coach, Paul Rowley, will be looking to do similar, as he tries to work out which playmaking partnership will work best for him in 2026. Paul Wellens failed to have a settled spine last year, which arguably was one of the reasons of his downfall.
Both Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity have another week off, with the West Yorkshire pair starting to arrive back on November 17. International players from all clubs, not just those two, will have a later return date to give their bodies more chance to recover.
Leigh Leopards have plenty of international players in their ranks, and that will bode well for them to continue on the upwards trajectory the club is currently reaping the rewards of.
The two Grand Finalists, KR and Wigan, will likely return at the end of November, given they went furthest into the season. The Robins especially will be keen to hit the ground running, as the plan to take on the NRL’s premiers, Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge.
Super League new boys Toulouse Olympique will have a start date of November 13, with fellow promoted sides Bradford Bulls and York Knights expected around the same time, as the three prepare to make the step up to the top flight.
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.
