The World Club Challenge is back. Super League champions Hull KR will face NRL winners Brisbane Broncos on 19 February next year.
Big Stage for a Big Game
The match will be held at Hull FC’s MKM Stadium instead of Hull KR’s smaller Craven Park. The 25,000-capacity venue will allow more fans to attend what promises to be one of the biggest rugby league events in Hull’s history.
Club chief executive Paul Lakin said the decision was about giving supporters the best experience. “With offers from around the world to host the game, we are delighted to bring the World Club Challenge home to Hull,” he said. “We’re determined to put on the biggest rugby league event the city has ever seen.”
Back After a Break
The competition did not take place in 2025 after Penrith Panthers and Wigan Warriors failed to agree on a suitable date. That cancellation disappointed fans on both sides, but the return of the event next year has sparked excitement.
The World Club Challenge, which began in 1976, has been held 30 times. It brings together the best teams from the English Super League and Australia’s NRL to decide the unofficial world champions of rugby league.
Broncos Chasing History
For the Brisbane Broncos, this is a chance to end a long wait. They last won the World Club Challenge in 1997. Head coach Michael Maguire said the trip will be a valuable experience for his squad.
“It’s a special opportunity to take a group of players and staff across to the other side of the world to take on the Super League champions,” Maguire said. “It’s a challenge we’re all looking forward to.”
A New Era for Hull KR
Hull KR will enter the game with confidence after a historic Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors in October. The club’s rise over the past few years has been remarkable, and hosting the world champions is seen as another milestone in their journey.
Rugby league fans can expect a full house and a fierce contest when two of the sport’s biggest clubs meet in February.
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