Hopes of seeing a World Club Challenge played in 2026 have been given a huge shot in the arm. That’s because Brisbane Broncos have reportedly agreed to travel over to England to take on Hull KR in February.
The Sydney Morning Herald has that story, with the report claiming Brisbane will make the journey over to East Yorkshire to take on the Robins, with the MKM Stadium likely to be the venue.
It means that Hull KR will be given the chance to win a fourth trophy in nine months after claiming a clean sweep of domestic trophies over the 2025 season. Brisbane won their seventh Premiership title last month, beating Melbourne Storm in a NRL Grand Final for the ages.
As such, in winning the NRL Grand Final, they are widely considered to be the best team on the planet, but Rovers will be keen to claim that mantle and humble the Broncos, who will travel with stars such as Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan.
There had been fears the game would not be able to go ahead due to Hull KR playing in Las Vegas in February. However, Broncos’ willingness to travel ensures the game will be back on the rugby league calendar for the first time since 2024 when Wigan Warriors beat Penrith Panthers.
In fact, English teams have won the last two World Club Challenges, with St Helens edging out the Panthers down under back in 2023.
With the 2021 and 2022 editions of the contest being cancelled due to Covid, the last time an Australian team won the prestigious trophy was in 2020 when Sydney Roosters saw off St Helens at the BrewDog Stadium.
This will be Hull KR’s first appearance in a World Club Challenge. Brisbane on the other hand, have featured five times with wins coming in 1992 and 1997.
They have travelled to England twice since the Millennium, with defeats coming against St Helens in both 2001 and 2007.
A date for the 2026 contest is yet to be officially announced.
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