London Broncos have confirmed their first pre-season friendly for 2026, the first in this new era of the capital club.
There were huge fears for London when David Hughes, the long-term owner, stepped away in late 2024 after the club suffered their inevitable relegation based on the IMG ratings.
The Broncos toiled through the 2025 season, even being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by new boys Goole Vikings, however, investment came with rugby league great Darren Lockyer part of a group to take control.
Leeds Rhinos departing chief Gary Hetherington was another to be involved, as was businessman Grant Weschel, and that group have now created arguably one of the best squads the Championship have ever seen.
With Jason Demetriou as head coach, London have leaned into his connections as Papua New Guinea head coach and recruited plenty of PNG players, as well as some other NRL stars such as Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The Broncos are hot favourites to lift the Championship crown in 2026 and we now know who their first pre-season game is against.
London Broncos announce sole pre-season game
London have confirmed that they will travel north to take on Keighley Cougars on Sunday, 11th January, in what looks to be their sole pre-season game.
The Championship season will start one week later with London hosting Widnes Vikings as they start their title tilt, so the clash against Keighley looks likely to be the one chance the Broncos have to gel on-field in a game during pre-season.
With so many new faces on board, a lack of cohesion could be one of the only things to dent their chances at silverware, given how impressive their squad is.
Work looks likely to continue off field as well to strengthen their IMG score as they bid to make a return to Super League, having narrowly missed out via the application process back in October.
A pre-season clash awaits 🐎🔥
It’s confirmed! We take on Keighley Cougars in an exciting pre-season friendly on Sunday 11th January.
🕒 Kick-off: 3pm
📍 Location: Cougar Park, Keighley
🎟 Adult tickets: £15
🎟 Concessions: £12
👉 Ticket link – https://t.co/vApG666BLM… pic.twitter.com/hn7PcHQXrk
— London Broncos (@LondonBroncosRL) December 23, 2025
