The Betfred Super League season is almost here as 14 teams begin the eight-month-long fight for a place at Old Trafford and the 2026 Super League Grand Final.

After a re-energised 2025 campaign under Brad Arthur, the Rhinos have eyes on silverware in the Australians' second full season at AMT Headingley. A new season brings challenges of its own, notably in an expanded league which brings three new sides into the top tier of the UK game and improvements in talent across the league, but there is still plenty to be excited about - led by a trip to Las Vegas later in February.

Get all the information you need ahead of kick-off on Friday 13th February against Leigh Leopards:

The Newbies

Super League's expansion for the 2026 season marks a return to the top tier of the UK game for Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique, as well as a first Super League season for York RLFC Knights.

Salford's relegation at the end of last season gave the opportunity for a Championship club to make the step up to Super League, in addition to the two extra spaces offered as part of a move back to a 14-team league. Based on IMG's 2025 grading, Bradford met the criteria to take the Red Devils place as the three-time Super League champions ended an 11-year wait to return. The Bulls finished third with 18 wins in 24 games as Brian Noble's side came up short in the semi-finals for a third consecutive season. Nevertheless, the Bulls were the first team brought back into the top tier and prepare for a first campaign under Kurt Haggerty.

Next up was Championship Grand Final winners Toulouse Olympique. Back for their second spell in Super League following relegation in 2022, Sylvian Houles remains at the wheel after guiding the club to promotion four years ago. Last year saw the club battle with York at the top of the table, but the French side eventually came out victorious thanks to a 10-8 win over the Knights in the season finale. Olly Ashall-Bott and Ben Laguerre were the club's two leading scorers over the course of 2025, whilst Jake Shorrocks was confident with the kicking tee to slot 100 goals.

Finally, York RLFC Knights mark their debut Super League campaign after a steady rise through the ranks. Back in 2015, the club were dwelling in League One before James Ford inspired promotion in 2018, and Andrew Henderson built on those foundations to make the club a consistent appearance maker in the play-offs. Mark Applegarth's appointment in 2024 was the key catalyst in the club taking its next big step as the club finished the league season as Grand Finalists and lifted the 1895 Cup trophy with a drop goal win over Featherstone. 2026 will see the club play its first top division game for the first time since the 1985-86 season.

Key Signings

Bradford - Esan Marsters

Kurt Haggerty's first campaign as head coach of the Bulls has seen the former Salford assistant coach focus on bringing Super League experience to Odsal.

As the club that replaced the former Red Devils following their relegation and liquidation, the Bulls capitalised by bringing in a number of names from across the Pennines - none more experienced domestically and internationally than Esan Marsters.

A Cook Islands and New Zealand international who also has 86 NRL appearances between 2017 and 2022, he made the move to Super League back in 2023 as part of an exciting squad at Huddersfield Giants under Ian Watson.

Despite struggles in the league table, Marsters was one of the names on the team sheet that stood out over his two campaigns in claret and gold, and carried that across to Salford where he was one of the shining lights in a dark season.

In total, he brings 66 games and 15 tries in the Super League competition to Bradford's back line, which has undergone a restructuring ahead of the Bulls' return to Super League.

Castleford - Blake Taaffe

The Tigers have undergone a squad overhaul too, as they go in search of the Play Offs for the first time since 2019. Director of Rugby Chris Chester has given his new head coach Ryan Carr the weapons to attack the campaign ahead, none more lethal than full back Blake Taaffe.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs junior set records back in 2021 when he became the least experienced player to appear in an NRL Grand Final after being drafted in to replace the suspended Latrell Mitchell.

Debuting in the Bunnies' round 15 demolition of Brisbane under Wayne Bennett, forced his way into the South Sydney side for the Finals run and played at full back in the 14-12 loss to Penrith in the Final.

After 31 games, he departed for Canterbury Bulldogs but only managed 12 senior games in two seasons.

Alongside Mikaele Rivalawa and Semi Valemei, the Tigers have certainly drafted threats for any defence.

Catalans - Toby Sexton/Charlie Staines

The Dragons have once again pulled out all the stops to bring some of the best talent from the NRL to Super League, as seven out of their 13 new signings have made the trip from down under to sign for the Perpignan side.

New half-back Toby Sexton leads the recruits, having played a huge role in Canterbury Bulldogs coming within touching distance of a Grand Final appearance.

The 24-year old lost his place to Lachie Galvin in Cameron Ciraldo's side towards the latter stages of the campaign, leading him to sign for the Dragons initially on a two-year deal.

This has been reduced to just the 2026 season as Sexton heads to Perth Bears in 2027 alongside Izaac Fa'asuamaleaui, who also spends one season at the French side.

A player who is sticking around is two-time Premiership winner Charlie Staines, who adds much-needed force to the outside back ranks. He has a total of 39 tries in 77 total NRL games for Penrith and Wests Tigers.

Huddersfield - Chris Patolo

The Giants have only made a handful of signings for the new campaign, so let's go with Manly prop Chris Patolo for their key recruit.

At only 24-years old, the former Bulldog and Sea Eagle Reserve has plenty of development in him, but looks to be an ample replacement for the departing Oliver Wilson.

Head coach Luke Robinson is relying on the prop being a figure in the Giants pack this campaign, as Tristan Powell, George Burgess and Harry Rushton are amongst the other forwards looking to impress. 

Hull FC - Jake Arthur

John Cartwright wasted little time in structuring his 2026 squad, even when his team came so close to a Play Off berth in 2025.

Sam Lisone, Joe Batchelor and James Bell were confirmed as key signings for the pack early in the year, but the signing of Jake Arthur could be the missing piece the Hull spine was looking for. 

Aidan Sezer, Will Pryce and Amir Bourouh partner Arthur, who has 34 appearances over five years in the NRL with Parramatta, Manly and Newcastle, in what could be one of the most dangerous partnerships in the competition.

Arthur also has the joy of taking on his dad at Leeds twice over the course of the year too.

Hull KR - Jack Charles

The reigning Champions have opted to bolster their ranks with young talent as they aim to retain their titles in 2026.

A key capture has been half back Jack Charles, who defected from the Airlie Birds to cross the city to the Robins, and could be one to watch in years to come, much like Mikey Lewis' rise in red and white. 

Tom Amone is a familiar name to the Super League crowd and was a key addition in the wake of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' retirement.

Leigh Leopards - Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Little squad movement at the Leopards sees five players arrive to replace the five departing faces at the end of 2025 - one of which is Jacob Alick-Wiencke.

The Papua New Guinea international brings over 80 games and 30 tries in the Queensland Cup with Souths Logan, Burleigh and Tweed with him to join Adrian Lam's side, plus he has three years of experience with Gold Coast Titans, where he's accumulated 19 games.

He joins fellow countryman Liam Horne in joining the Leopards' ranks, as the utility forward replaces Ethan O'Neill who departed for the Rhinos in the offseason.

St Helens - Jackson Hastings

A Man of Steel returns to the Super League competition in the shape of Jackson Hastings as St Helens add an extra pivot to challenge Jonny Lomax, Jack Welsby, Tristan Sailor and George Whitby.

Hastings revitalised his career when he was signed for Salford Red Devils in 2019 and was unplayable at times as the Red Devils featured in their one and only Super League Grand Final that year. 

Watch out for the likes of David Klemmer and Jacob Host in the Saints pack as well as Saints have given new head coach Rowley a strong squad for the year ahead.

Toulouse Olympique - Luke Polselli

As opposed to their promoted rivals, Toulouse have opted to add only a handful of names to their season's roster.

Luke Polselli is one of the exciting names who brings his talents to Super League for the first time, after being one of London's leading players in 2025. 24 appearances, 10 tries and a goal saw the half back finish in the Broncos' top points scorers, and now he joins Toulouse to join Jake Shorrocks in the halves.

Polselli previously played 93 games across the NSW and QLD Cup competitions for Newtown, Mackay and Sunshine Coast.

Wakefield Trinity - Tyson Smoothy

Not many Super League squads have a reigning NRL Grand Final winner on their books heading into 2026, but Wakefield managed to capture Tyson Smoothy as their new hooker for the year ahead.

The former Brisbane Bronco came off the bench in last year's finale against Melbourne, after starting the season in the Queensland Cup with Souths Logans. Recalled by Michael Maguire in round 18, he featured six times in the lead-up to the Broncos' finals series and played both games against Canberra and Penrith before defeating the Storm.

He is one of eight new signings by Daryl Powell for the season ahead, along with the vastly experienced Jazz Tevaga, who leaves the NRL after ten seasons.

Warrington Wolves - Toafofoa Sipley

Aiming for a much-improved 2026, Sam Burgess has called in reinforcements to turn the Wolves around. Liam Byrne, James Bentley and Kelepi Tanginoa are all solid back row options from Super League rivals, but prop Toafofoa Sipley is going to be one to watch in the pack.

The New Zealand Warriors junior made his name in the NRL with Manly, playing 97 times for the Sea Eagles over two spells between 2018 and 2019, as well as 2021 to 2025. Last year, he was used off the bench by Anthony Seibold as he made 16 appearances and scored tries against North Queensland and Newcastle.

Wigan Warriors - Oliver Partington

A former Wigan Academy product returns home in 2026, as Oliver Partington was part of a swap deal that brings the loose forward back to the Warriors in place of Kruise Leeming.

The loose forward notably won a Challenge Cup Final during five seasons at Wigan, as he played 91 times in cherry and white. Moving to Salford for 2023 and 2024 before landing at Catalans in 2025, he was one of the Dragons' key performers in 28 games under Steve McNamara and Joel Tomkins.

Now back at Wigan, he bolsters a forward pack who go in search of bringing silverware back to the Brick Community Stadium in 2026.

York RLFC Knights - Xavier Va'a

The Knights' first-ever Super League campaign has seen the club recruit experienced Super League names, such as Paul Vaughan, Sam Wood and Josh Griffin, but their partnership with NRL side Penrith Panthers has opened up opportunities for rising stars to feature in the UK's top division.

Amongst the players to arrive from overseas, fans have to watch out for 22-year-old Xavier Va'a, who was a wrecking ball in the Roosters' NSW Cup squad in 2025. Breaking through at Norths Devils in 2022, he played 39 times for the Roosters after being signed in 2023. He was a try scorer on his senior debut as the Roosters beat Cronulla in round 12.

The New Coaches

The off-season also brought changes to the coaching staff around the league, as four new coaches will lead their sides out in round one. Here's who they are:

Kurt Haggerty - Bradford signed up Haggerty after his recent success with Salford Red Devils as assistant to Paul Rowley. The former Toronto assistant headed up Leigh Leopards in a handful of games in 2021, and was supposed to take over as Red Devils head coach before the club was relegated in 2025. He will now head up the Bulls for their first season back in the Super League.

Ryan Carr - Casteford Tigers look for an improved 2026 under Ryan Carr, who returns to the UK to take up the vacant Tigers job. The former St George Dragons assistant served as head coach for Featherstone Rovers in 2019, alongside an assistant role with the Rhinos under Richard Agar. However, he now has the opportunity to shape a Cas side that is looking up the table in the year ahead.

Joel Tomkins - Tomkins came in as interim boss of the Dragons after Steve McNamara's departure, but will take up his first season as Catalans boss in 2026. The former Wigan Warrior and England international has constructed a new-look backroom staff in Perpignan as Michael McIlorum and Mitchell Pearce provide their expertise too to get the Dragons back into playoff contention.

Paul Rowley - One of Super League's leading coaches has a new challenge in 2026 as Rowley takes the reins of St Helens from Paul Wellens. Saints came up short of an Old Trafford outing for a third year running in 2025, and Rowley arrives to change that. The former Leigh, Toronto and Salford boss notably took the Red Devils to a Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final in consecutive seasons, but is expected to re-stock the trophy cabinet for the Red Vee.

The Champions

Three trophies in 2025 firmly puts a target on the back of Hull KR heading into 2026.

Willie Peters' side were unstoppable on the road to beating Warrington in the Challenge Cup Final, seeing off the competition to hoist the League Leaders' Shield and defeating the reigning champs Wigan in the Grand Final to complete the treble.

Homegrown half-back Mikey Lewis was in the Man of Steel conversation again as the Rob Burrow Grand Final Player of the Match scored 24 tries and accumulated 130 points in another standout campaign. Joe Burgess earned plenty of plaudits as his try scoring was some of the winger's best in his career to date, whilst forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sauaso Sue, Elliot Minchella and Jai Whitbread were enforcers in the pack. Head coach Peters also acquired admirers during the off-season but the Australia assistant coach is back with the club for 2026 to retain as much silverware as possible.

The Robins open their season against Lock Lane in the Cup before travelling to new boys York RLFC Knights in round one. A break in the schedule sees the reigning NRL champions Brisbane Broncos clash with Hull KR in the 2026 World Club Challenge but then attentions move to Las Vegas for their clash with the Rhinos.

Don't miss a minute in 2026

The best way to ensure you don't miss a moment in 2026 is by committing to a Rhinos Membership.

Both Season and Flexi membership options are still available to buy now from tickets.therhinos.co.uk, giving you the option to commit to every home game or just the ones you want to see.

Single game tickets are also available to buy now too for all home matches. Make sure you've got your seat or position for the home opener against York by getting yours online now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk