Robins to face Broncos in 2026 Betfred World Club Challenge

Rugby League Commercial welcomes today’s confirmation that the Betfred World Club Challenge will return in 2026 when Hull KR host Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium.

The clash between the respective 2025 champions of the Betfred Super League and the NRL’s Telstra Premiership will be played on Thursday February 19 – and will see a rapid return to the UK for some of Australia’s stars of the Ashes series such as Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Patrick Carrigan, to face Hull KR’s England trio Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Joe Burgess.

Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of RL Commercial:

“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.

“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. The Broncos have graced this fixture a number of times in the past, and have again shown their support of international Rugby League in agreeing to travel north in February 2026 - when they will also be breaking new ground with their first appearance in Hull.

“The timing of the match on Thursday February 19 means a huge start to the 2026 season – especially for Hull KR, who will launch their defence of the Betfred Super League title the previous weekend, and will then travel to Las Vegas to face Leeds Rhinos on Saturday February 28.”

Brisbane Broncos will be aiming to become the first NRL club to win the World Club Challenge since Sydney Roosters in 2020.

The Roosters have been the most successful club from either hemisphere in the WCC since it was first played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1976, when they were known as Eastern Suburbs and beat St Helens.

The fixture was played for 21 consecutive seasons from 2000 until the Roosters’ 2020 win at St Helens, before a two-year interruption because of the Covid pandemic.

When the Challenge resumed in 2023, St Helens claimed a famous win against the Penrith Panthers in Sydney, then the Panthers were beaten in Wigan the following year, before another interruption in 2025 because the Panthers and Wigan were already committed to fixtures in Las Vegas.

Betfred have again been confirmed as title sponsors of the 2026 World Club Challenge, and Betfred boss, Fred Done, said:

“At Betfred we have a real passion for Rugby League and so it is a great pleasure to once again be associated with these two Grand Final winners lining up for The Betfred World Club Challenge.”

Hull KR’s Chief Executive Paul Lakin said: “With offers from around the World to host the game, we are delighted to bring the World Club Challenge home to Hull, allowing supporters, not just from the City but the whole region and beyond, the opportunity to see the world’s two best Rugby League sides go head-to-head.

“With Round One of our title defence in the Super League, and a trip to Las Vegas for the ‘Battle of Yorkshire’ a week after the World Club Challenge, February is set to be the most exciting month in the club's illustrious history as we take the Robins to the global stage.

“We’d like to place on record our thanks to the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL, Rugby League Commercial and stadium hosts, Hull City, for their support in making the game happen. We’re determined to put on the biggest Rugby League event the City has ever seen, with world class entertainment on and off the field at a sold out MKM Stadium.”

Brisbane Broncos’ Chief Executive Officer, Dave Donaghy said:

“We’re delighted to bring the World Club Challenge back next year to kick off the rugby league calendar.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Brisbane Broncos on the world stage and test ourselves against the champions of England, Hull KR. The players and staff are determined to represent Brisbane and our members in the best possible way – and to bring another trophy home.

“Taking the Club back to England will be special. Hull KR have incredibly passionate fans and we’re looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and the challenge that will bring.”

Tickets for the city’s first World Club Challenge are expected to be in high demand and first access will go to 2026 Hull KR Full-season Members at 12pm on Friday 14th November.

Following this window, tickets will then go on sale to all fans who complete the early access pre-registration form here.