The Betfred Championship has seen some huge changes to it’s structure this off-season, as it combines teams from the UK’s second and third tier to create just one competition, in the hope to bring a new lease of life to clubs below Super League.
The fixtures for the 2026 season were released earlier this week, with each team playing 4 matches across the season, with both last year’s league position and local rivalries at the forefront of the scheduling.
Despite London Broncos being the clear favourites, next year could be the most competitive Championship we have seen, with almost all sides improving both on and off the field.
The likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Jordan Abdull and Ryan Brierley will all be playing in the second tier in 2026, and they are just some of the huge names that playing in the competition, as they look to help their sides earn promotion to the top flight.
A total of 43 players from the 14 Super League clubs next year have made the move to he Championship this off-season, and those players range from emerging academy products to veterans of the game.
We have taken a look at every player to make the step down, be that on loan or on a permanent deal.
*Salford Red Devils are not included in the list due to the club going into liquidation.
Every Super League player to make a Championship switch in 2026
Barrow Raiders:
The Cumbrian-based side have just one player making the switch between divisions, as winger Tee Ritson re-joins the club permanently from St Helens.
Batley Bulldogs:
None
Dewsbury Rams:
Coming up from League One into the second tier, the Rams have signed Hull KR youngster Jacob Parkinson on a permanent deal, whilst Leigh forward Valu Tane Bentley also makes the move.
Outside back George Rayner joins from Bradford, as does Jacob Bateman, with the latter arriving on a season-long loan
Doncaster RLFC:
Former Castleford prop Muizz Mustapha joins the Dons for 2026, in one of many key additions to the South Yorkshire side. Tom Holmes failed to reach new terms with Bradford Bulls, and will also join Richard Horne’s side.
Featherstone Rovers:
None
Goole Vikings:
The Vikings’ transfer policy this off-season has been simple – bring in departing youngsters from Super League academies and shape them into the Goole mould as they go on to become regular first team players.
They have signed five players with that aspiration – Oliver Morgan (Warrington), Baily Tait (Bradford), Leroy Ncube, Brad Bullock (both Castleford) and Shane Tuohey (Leeds).
Halifax Panthers:
Following on from the club reaching the Championship semi-finals in 2025, Kyle Eastmond has adding a number of prospects to his squad as he looks to build for the future.
Alfie Johnson and Dan Okoro both join from Warrington, whilst full-back Tanguy Zenon arrives from Catalans. Centre Darius Carter makes the local switch from Huddersfield and Myles Lawford comes in on a season-long loan from Wakefield Trinity.
Hunslet RLFC:
The Parksiders have brought in experience to the side by re-signing former St Helens and Bradford man Lee Gaskell for another year, whilst also bringing in prop Eddie Battye.
Ex-Bulls reserves centre, Lewis Hagan, has also joined the club.
Keighley Cougars:
Leeds academy product, Dylan Proud, has joined the Cougars following his exit from AMT Headingley.
London Broncos:
To add to their plethora of NRL and Papua New Guinean recruits, London have looked to the Super League to fill out key parts of their 2026 squad.
Jeremiah Simbiken joins the rest of the Kumuls contingent in the capital, as he joins from Castleford. Elliot Wallis and Jake Ramsden sign from Huddersfield and Warrington respectively, whilst Jack Croft and Neil Tchamambe arrive from Wakefield, with Tchamambe on a year-long loan.
Midlands Hurricanes:
Despite making a huge number of signings, only two come directly from a Super League club.
Zach Jebson‘s Hull FC contract ran out at the end of the season, but he has quickly landed on his feet, and will represent the Hurricanes in 2026. He will be joined by recently released Leeds youngster, Toby Warren, as he also makes the move to the Birmingham-based outfit.
Newcastle Thunder:
None
Oldham:
The Roughyeds are arguably second favourites for the Championship title next year, after finishing fourth in their first season back in the division.
The club, who are still without a head coach, have signed Jake Bibby from Huddersfield, as well as Emmanuel Waine from Bradford. Harvey Makin also arrives to bolster the pack, joining from Wigan on a season-long loan.
Rochdale Hornets:
Leigh’s reserves player of the year, TJ Boyd, has joined the Hornets, and will link up with Wigan prop Dylan Kelly-Duffy and one of Warrington’s reserve Grand Final winners, Joe Hickey, at the club.
Sheffield Eagles:
Sheffield have signed the most players from the 14 Super League clubs, with four of their new arrivals coming from newly-promoted teams.
Jordan Lilley and Kieran Gill both sign from Bradford, whilst Conor Fitzsimmons and Joe Brown arrive from York.
George Griffin and Josh Hodson will reunite with former boss Craig Lingard at the club, having played under him at Castleford Tigers. Lennie Ellis also joins the Eagles after his exit from Hull KR.
Swinton Lions:
Wigan duo Tom Ratchford and Trent Kelly-Duffy make the local move from Wigan to the Lions, and will be coached by former Warrington prop Paul Wood in 2026.
Whitehaven:
None
Widnes Vikings:
As well as the shock signing of Abdull, and a trio of recruits from North Wales, Widnes, who released a new club crest this week, have brought in winger Frank Sergent from Warrington and prop Jack Bibby from Huddersfield.
Workington Town:
None
