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 match will feature the 2025 champions from the Betfred Super League and the NRL's Telstra Premiership.
Match Details and Key Players
The game is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026. It will bring some Australian stars who recently played in the Ashes series, such as Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, and Patrick Carrigan, to face Hull KR's English trio: Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, and Joe Burgess.
Comments from Rugby League Officials
“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.”
– Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of RL Commercial
“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.”
Significance of the Event
The return of the World Club Challenge to Hull marks a significant milestone for the city and highlights the growing international appeal of Rugby League through its Anglo-Australian rivalry.
Author's summary: The 2026 Betfred World Club Challenge will see Hull KR face Brisbane Broncos, showcasing top talent from both leagues and marking a major sporting event in Hull's Rugby League history.