Hull KR toppled Wigan Warriors in the 2025 Super League Grand Final, and will no doubt turn their attention to retaining their title in a potentially expanded 14-team division once the celebrations have finished.
KR dominated the Warriors at Old Trafford, a 24-6 victory securing their third trophy of the season.
Super League dates
Dates for the 2026 Super League are yet to be confirmed due to the league's potential expansion to 14 teams.
The line-up of the new-look league will be released on Thursday 16th October, with the Salford Red Devils almost a certainty to be removed, while the announcement on a decision to increase the number of teams will be made on Friday 17th October, along with the teams being promoted from the Championship.
Once the teams are announced, the attention will turn to the fixture list and key dates.
Super League format
The Super League format is yet to be decided upon for the 2026 iteration, as mentioned above, fans will find out whether it will be a 12 or 14 team season on 17th October, 2025.
Normal rules will still apply. If a match ends in a draw after 80 minutes, then a further 10 minutes of golden point extra-time is played to determine a winner. The first team to score either a try, penalty goal or drop goal during this period will be declared the winner.
However, if there are no further points scored after 10 minutes, the match will be deemed a draw.
At the end of the 2023 season, IMG and the RFL released initial gradings, which indicated which clubs would play in the 2024 campaign.
The same was done at the end of the 2024 season, with the 12 top-graded clubs receiving Super League status for the 2025 season.
Super League teams
The IMG gradings released at the end of the 2025 campaign will almost certainly see the Salford Red Devils relegated to the Championship.
The 11 clubs expected for the 2026 season are:
Castleford Tigers
Catalans Dragons
Huddersfield Giants
Hull FC
Hull KR
Leeds Rhinos
Leigh Leopards
St Helens
Wakefield Trinity
Warrington Wolves
Wigan Warriors
The four clubs that are leading contenders to appear in the Super League in 2026 via promotion and expansion are:
- Toulouse Olympique (Championship Grand Final Winners)
- York Knights (Championship Table Toppers)
- Bradford Bulls
- London Broncos
Super League favourites
Due to the potentially changing format, there are no odds currently available for the 2026 Super League, although there are alternative Rugby League odds available with competitions running through the off-season.
Super League history
Super League started back in 1996, with 12 founding teams moving the sport from a winter league to a summer one.
Only five of those teams remain in the competition today, with Castleford, Leeds, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan all still competing at the highest level.
Twenty-four teams have competed in Super League since its inception, but only five have won the title - with St Helens, Leeds, Wigan, Bradford Bulls and most recently Hull KR lifting the famous trophy.
Plenty of teams have come and gone as they try to succeed in the 13-man code in England.
St Helens are considered the most successful team in Super League history, winning 10 titles since the inaugural campaign.
