World Club Challenge
A Clash of the Champions - Betfred Super League v NRL
THE ROBINS ARE 2026 WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONS!
Hull KR were crowned Betfred World Club Challenge Champions in February 2026, defeating NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos, 30-24.
The best in the world met at a sold-out MKM Stadium - the first ever World Club Challenge to take place in the city of Hull!
The Robins made history on their competition debut, scoring five tries against the two-time winners Brisbane, and becoming the sixth English team to lift the trophy.
This is a third consecutive World Club Challenge win for a Super League side.
2026 WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTS:
WHAT IS THE WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE?
The World Club Challenge is an annual fixture and tradition between the winners of the Betfred Super League and the National Rugby League (NRL).
The first officially recognised and competitive World Club Challenge came in 1989, contested between Widnes Vikings and Canberra Raiders.
Prior to this, there were two “unofficial” meetings in 1976 and 1987.*
The winners of the World Club Challenge go on to be crowned World Champions. See below for a full list of past winners.
Who are the current World Champions?
The current World Champions are Hull KR.
The Robins defeated Brisbane Broncos 30-24 in February 2026.
How many teams have won the World Club Challenge?
There have been 13 different winners since the start, including six English teams.
These are St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Widnes Vikings, Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, and most recently, Hull KR.
The Australian sides include Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, St George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys.
Altogether, there have been 19 different participants.
Who has won the most World Club Challenges?
The most successful sides are NRL’s Sydney Roosters and Betfred Super League’s very own Wigan Warriors, who hold five World Club Challenge titles each.
They are followed closely by St Helens, Bradford Bulls, Melbourne Storm and Leeds Rhinos, who have all won on three occasions.
Brisbane Broncos have two World Club Challenge wins to their name, whilst the other winners have had sole victories.
Who has been more successful - Super League or NRL?
To date, Super League sides have won the World Club Challenge 16 times with the NRL sides having 14 wins.
Hull KR, Wigan Warriors and St Helens are the most recently crowned champions of the competition (2026, 2024 and 2023).
RECENT WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTS:
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Year |
Winners |
Result |
Venue |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2026 |
Hull KR |
Beat Brisbane Broncos, 30-24 |
MKM Stadium (Hull) |
| 2023 |
Wigan Warriors |
Beat Penrith Panthers, 16-12 |
Wigan |
| 2022 |
St Helens |
Beat Penrith Panthers, 13-12 |
Penrith Stadium |
| 2020 |
Sydney Roosters |
Beat St Helens, 20-12 |
St Helens |
| 2019 |
Sydney Roosters |
Beat Wigan Warriors, 20-8 |
Wigan |
| 2018 |
Melbourne Storm |
Beat Leeds Rhinos, 38-4 |
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium |
| 2017 |
Wigan Warriors |
Beat Cronulla Sharks, 22-6 |
Wigan |
| 2016 |
North Queensland Cowboys |
Beat Leeds Rhinos, 38-4 |
Headingley Stadium (Leeds) |
| 2015 |
South Sydney Rabbitohs |
Beat St Hellens, 39-0 |
St Helens |
| 2014 |
Sydney Roosters |
Beat Wigan Warriors, 36-14 |
Sydney Football Stadium |
| 2013 |
Melbourne Storm |
Beat Leeds Rhinos, 18-14 |
Headingley Stadium (Leeds) |
| 2012 |
Leeds Rhinos |
Beat Manly Sea Eagles, 26-12 |
Headingley Stadium (Leeds) |
| 2011 |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Beat Wigan Warriors, 21-15 |
Wigan |
| 2010 |
Melbourne Storm (void) |
Beat Leeds Rhinos, 18-10 (void) |
Elland Road (Leeds) |
| 2009 |
Manly Sea Eagles |
Beat Leeds Rhinos, 28-20 |
Elland Road (Leeds) |
| 2008 |
Leeds Rhinos |
Beat Melbourne Storm, 11-4 |
Elland Road (Leeds) |
| 2007 |
St Helens |
Beat Brisbane Broncos, 18-14 |
Bolton |
| 2006 |
Bradford Bulls |
Beat Wests Tigers, 30-10 |
Huddersfield |
| 2005 |
Leeds Rhinos |
Beat Canterbury Bulldogs, 39-32 |
Elland Road (Leeds) |
| 2004 |
Bradford Bulls |
Beat Penrith Panthers, 22-4 |
Huddersfield |
| 2003 |
Sydney Roosters |
Beat St Helens, 38-0 |
Bolton |
| 2002 |
Bradford Bulls |
Beat Newcastle Knights, 4-126 |
Huddersfield |
| 2001 |
St Helens |
Beat Brisbane Broncos, 20-18 |
Bolton |
| 2000 |
Melbourne Storm |
Beat St Helens, 44-6 |
Wigan |
| 1997 Final |
Brisbane Broncos |
Beat Hunter Mariners, 36-12 |
Mount Smart Stadium |
| 1994 |
Wigan Warriors |
Beat Brisbane Broncos, 20-14 |
Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre |
| 1992 |
Brisbane Broncos |
Beat Wigan Warriors, 22-8 |
Central Park (Wigan) |
| 1989 |
Widnes Vikings |
Beat Canberra Raiders, 30-18 |
Old Trafford |
| 1987* |
Wigan Warriors |
Beat Manly Sea Eagles, 8-2 |
Central Park (Wigan) |
| 1976* |
Eastern Suburbs |
Beat St Helens, 25-2 |
Sydney Cricket Ground |