Hull World Club Challenge Champions 2026: Defy Late Broncos Rally in Nailbiting Victory

Hull KR Crowned World Club Champions: Epic 30-24 Win Over Brisbane Broncos in Thrilling World Club Challenge

Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR) have reached the pinnacle of rugby league, defeating NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos 30-24 in a dramatic 2026 World Club Challenge at the MKM Stadium on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This historic victory marks the first time Hull KR have been crowned world champions, capping an astonishing rise from near-extinction to global supremacy.

From Near-Collapse to Glory


Hull KR's journey defies belief:

For decades, they lived in the shadow of city rivals Hull FC in a rugby league-mad city.

At the turn of the century, financial ruin nearly wiped them out, with crowds dipping below 1,000 in lower tiers.

As recently as 2020, they finished bottom of Super League—saved from relegation only by Toronto Wolfpack's collapse amid COVID.

Fast-forward five years: After winning the Super League title (and a treble last year), they now add the World Club Challenge trophy—their first ever.

Owner Neil Hudgell, who rescued the club multiple times over 25 years, urged fans to savor the moment, as such highs are rare. Yet, under coach Willie Peters, the good times feel set to continue.

Match Summary: A Near-Perfect Hour, Then Heart-Stopping Drama


Hull KR dominated early, building a commanding 30-6 lead by the 57th minute through flawless execution, smart kicking from halfback Mikey Lewis, and clinical
finishing.

Hull KR Tries (5 total):


Tom Amone

Elliot Minchella

Joe Burgess

Oliver Gildart

Peta Hiku

Conversions: Arthur Mourgue (2), others (total 5/5 initially).

Brisbane fought back ferociously in the final quarter:

Patrick Carrigan

Deine Mariner

Gehamat Shibasaki (2)

Kotoni Staggs

Brisbane Goals: Adam Reynolds (2/5, missing key conversions).The Broncos scored four tries in a blistering 16-minute spell, narrowing it to 30-24 with minutes left. A late threat in the dying seconds was repelled, sealing a nerve-shredding win for the Super League side.

Final Score: Hull KR 30-24 Brisbane Broncos

What is the World Club Challenge?

The World Club Challenge sees the champions of the Super League take on the NRL victors to be crowned champions of world rugby league.

When is the Rugby League 2026 World Club Challenge?

The match will be played on Thursday, February 19—that’s nine days before Hull KR play Leeds Rhinos as part of the 2026 Las Vegas Weekend and roughly two weeks before the Brisbane Broncos play their opening match of the 2026 NRL season.

What time does the World Club Challenge of Broncos vs Hull KR start?

The Brisbane Broncos vs Hull KR match will kick off time is set at 7.30pm local time (GMT) which is 5.30am on Friday, February 20 in Queensland (AEST) and 6.30am (AEDT).

Where to watch the World Club Challenge 

The 2026 World Club Challenge will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo

Where is the 2026 World Club Challenge being played?

The Brisbane Broncos vs Hull KR match will be played at MKM Stadium in the city of Kingston upon Hull in England with a fan capacity of around 25,000. 

Curiously, MKM Stadium is actually the home ground of Hull KR’s arch rivals in the Super League, Hull FC.

Who is playing in 2026 Rugby League World Club Challenge?

2025 Betfred Super League champions Hull KR will face NRL's Telstra Premiership winners Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium on Thursday 19 February.

The game is set to mark a rapid return to the UK for some of Australia's stars of the Ashes, series such as Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Patrick Carrigan, to face Hull KR's England trio Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Joe Burgess.

Latest 2026 Rugby World Club Challenge Odds, Picks

The Broncos are the clear favourites to win the match at $1.14 and are $1.57 to do it by 13 or more points and $3.30 to do it in the margin of 1-12 points.

Meanwhile, Hull KR are $5.50 to win, $7.00 to win by 1-12 points, and $23.00 to win by 13 or more.

2026 Rugby World Club Challenge Squads: Broncos vs Hull Full Players List 

Broncos: Adam Reynolds, Aublix Tawha, Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Blake Mozer, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki, Grant Anderson, Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Xavier Willison

Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Tom Amone, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin, Karl Lawton Reserves: Jack Brown, Jack Broadbent, Billy Leyland, Tom Whitehead

Who won the last 2024 Rugby League World Club Challenge?

The match did not take place in 2025 because the Penrith Panthers could not agree a date to play Wigan Warriors,  with this being the first edition since 2024 when Wigan Warriors beat Penrith Panthers at the Brick Community Stadium.

Who won the last-time Rugby League World Club Challenge?

Brisbane has won the World Club Challenge twice in the club’s history and last featured in 2007 losing 18-14 to St. Helens in Manchester.

Hull KR will be making its World Club Challenge debut in a massive moment for the Yorkshire club.

Who won the Most Rugby World Club Challenge?

The NRL has 14 World Club Challenge wins to its name but Super League is just ahead with 15.

The Sydney Roosters and Wigan Warriors are the most successful clubs with Roosters having wins in 1976, 2003, 2014, 2019, with Wigan's wins coming in 1987, 1991, 1994, 2017, and 2024.

What is the history of the rugby league World Club Challenge?

The rivalry between Australian and English rugby league champions has a proud and passionate history that fans on both sides of the world can celebrate.

The very first meeting between the two hemispheres’ top clubs took place back in June 1976, when the Eastern Suburbs Roosters outclassed St Helens 25–2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground — a moment that sparked international interest in determining the world’s best club side.

It wasn’t until October 1989, however, that the showdown became official with the birth of the World Club Challenge, as Widnes Vikings defeated the Canberra Raiders 30–18 at Old Trafford.

Since then, 29 thrilling encounters have been played, with English teams narrowly leading the overall tally 15 wins to 14.

At the top of the honours list sit two giants of the game — the Sydney Roosters and Wigan Warriors — each crowned world club champions five times, a testament to the fierce trans-Tasman and trans-Atlantic spirit that continues to unite and ignite rugby league fans in Australia, New Zealand, and England alike.

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