2026 World Club Challenge

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2026 (2026) World Club Challenge
The MKM Stadium will host the match
Hull Kingston Rovers Brisbane Broncos
(Super League) (NRL)
1Total
HKR 00
BRI 00
Date19 February 2026
StadiumMKM Stadium
Broadcast partners
← 2025
2027 →

The 2026 World Club Challenge will be the 31st staging of the World Club Challenge, an annual rugby league match between the reigning champions of the Super League and the National Rugby League.[1][2]

Background

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Hull Kingston Rovers

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Further information: 2025 Hull Kingston Rovers season and 2025 Super League Grand Final

Brisbane Broncos

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Further information: 2025 Brisbane Broncos season and 2025 NRL Grand Final

Scheduling

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Under the agreement between the Super League and NRL regarding scheduling the World Club Challenge after the COVID-19 pandemic, the respective champions would alternate hosting responsibilities across each year. As such, NRL champions Brisbane Broncos's home ground, Lang Park, became an early favourite to host the game;[3] with reigning champions Wigan Warriors's DW Stadium having hosted in 2024.[4] However, following Hull Kingston Rovers becoming Super League champions Brisbane expressed a willingness to travel for the fixture to ease logistical issues with Hull KR playing at NRL's Las Vegas weekend,[5] a factor which resulted in Penrith Panthers withdrawing from the 2025 event.[6] As a result, Hull KR's cross town rivals larger MKM Stadium emerged as the choice venue, along with a soft date of 21 February.[5] In November, a month after the Grand Finals, Brisbane confirmed they would travel to the United Kingdom for the match, aimed some fears of a second consecutive cancellation.[7]

Wembley Stadium and Elland Road were also touted as potential venues, with Lang Park removed from the running as a result of the soft date for the game clashing with an Ed Sheeran concert at the ground.[8]

Playing the game at the Las Vegas weekend has also been considered earlier in the season,[9] with Qatar also bidding to host the competition.[10]

Finances

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Following confirmation of the match, Hull KR's chief executive revealed that the club's groud of Craven Park was never under consideration as due to the ground's size it would never have been financially viable for a match of that magnitude. He stated, the priority was to keep the match in Kingston upon Hull with the city never having hosted the tournament, and Elland Road was the second choice venue.[11]

Hull KR will be responsible for covering Brisbane's travel and accommodation for the game.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "World Club Challenge: Hull KR to host Brisbane Broncos as rugby league's battle for global supremacy returns in 2026". Sky Sports. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  2. ^ "World Club Challenge returns with Hull KR v Broncos". BBC Sport. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  3. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (6 October 2025). "Major World Club Challenge update issued as NRL reveal stance". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ^ Fletcher, Charlotte (30 November 2023). "Wigan to host Penrith in Betfred World Club Challenge". Wigan Warriors. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b Shaw, Matthew (12 October 2025). "Hull KR considering MKM Stadium as World Club Challenge location". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  6. ^ Australian Associated Press (9 October 2024). "'Only thing that's missing': Penrith co-captain disappointed to abandon World Club Challenge". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  7. ^ Proszenko, Adrian (4 November 2025). "More Reece Walsh magic for English fans as Broncos revive World Club Challenge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  8. ^ Coombe, Louis Chapman (22 October 2025). "Shock venue touted to host World Club Challenge as bizarre reason given for UK switch". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. ^ Olawumi, Ben (28 February 2025). "Rugby league World Club Challenge heading to Las Vegas in 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  10. ^ Shaw, Matthew (31 October 2025). "Qatar launch mega-money move to host World Club Challenge". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  11. ^ a b Madden, Richard (6 November 2025). "Hull KR on why they need to play at rival's ground". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2025.