Super League 2026 preview and predictions

Rugby league is back!

It’s been a long old winter since England’s dismal Ashes campaign, with only football to keep me going for the past couple of months.

Thank God those days are over now though and proper sport is back! I can’t wait for Super League this year, and I know fans have strong opinions about the new, expanded format, but personally I’m looking forward to seeing three new teams in the competition in 2026.

Magic Weekend is already breaking records, Round One is heading for some sellout crowds, the Challenge Cup has already come back with a bang, and next week, Hull KR will aim to become World Champions in front of a sellout crowd. What an exciting time it is to be an RL fan!

Anyway, back to Super League, and where better to start with my predictions than a look at how I see the table finishing after round 27. Last year I got a pitiful 1/12 right, so you can probably ignore these…

The table

		Grand Final odds
1	Hull KR	2/1
2	Wigan Warriors	15/8
3	Leeds Rhinos	5/1
4	Leigh Leopards	9/1
5	St Helens	13/2
6	Hull FC	13/1
7	Warrington Wolves	13/1
8	Catalans Dragons	25/1
9	Wakefield Trinity	30/1
10	Castleford Tigers	100/1
11	York Knights	275/1
12	Huddersfield Giants	80/1
13	Bradford Bulls	200/1
14	Toulouse Olympique	275/1

The play-offs

It’s difficult to go against the team who finished top the previous year, and nothing about other sides’ recruitment makes me think they’ll topple Hull KR.

In 2nd, Wigan Warriors are just a consistent machine under Matt Peet, but at this moment in time, the Robins are a slightly better side.

Leeds Rhinos had a great campaign in 2025, and Brad Arthur’s contract extension makes me think they can kick on this year and get in the top three.

Leigh Leopards have become a model of consistency in recent years, so 4th looks very acheivable, and I’m backing St. Helens to pick up another 5th-place spot.

Rounding up the play-offs, I can see Hull FC sneaking in this year. They were much improved in 2025, and came within a whisker, but this year I can see them getting over the line.

The chasing pack

In 7th, I’m going for Warrington Wolves. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them in the top six, but I just can’t see whose place they’ll take. It’s a similar story with Catalans Dragons, who I’ve got in 8th.

Wakefield Trinity had an unbelievable 2025, but I’m expecting a bit of a drop off this year, so I’m backing them to finish 9th. Just behind them, I think Castleford Tigers will improve, but not enough to trouble the play-off places.

As for the bottom four, I think the three promoted sides are a given, but I can see Huddersfield Giants finishing below one of them, and my money will be on York Knights.

Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique are my bottom two.

Grand Final Winners – Hull KR

As I said earlier, I struggle to see past last year’s winners unless there have been major losses and a major recruitment drive from the chasing pack. Neither of those apply this year, so I’m backing Hull KR to go back-to-back. If they don’t manage it, then Wigan will be ready and waiting.

Challenge Cup Winners – Leeds Rhinos

The cup is so open that most of the Super League sides will fancy themselves in a one-off encounter against each other. For no reason other than gut instinct though, I’m backing the Rhinos to claim Wembley glory in 2026.

Steve Prescott Man of Steel – Bevan French

The new format for the Man of Steel award makes this year’s prize more interesting than before. Instead of the old points system, the award will simply be a chosen by a panel of ex-players, and that’s why I can see French getting the nod. No player in Super League can produce a moment out of nithing in quite the same way as French, and enough of those moments could be enough.

Super League Young Player of the Year – Cai Taylor-Wray

Even though I can’t see Warrington making the top six this year, it could be a breakthrough season individually for some of their young stars. Taylor-Wray has taken the number one jersey from Matt Dufty heading into 2026, so coach Sam Burgess clearly rates him, and of all the young players in Super League, he’s one I’d expect to start most weeks.

Super League top try scorer – Maika Sivo

The Fijian flyer will be looking to make up for lost time after a season on the treatment table. And, with Leeds looking like top six certs in my opinion, he should get plenty of opportunities to cross for 20+.

Super League Coach of the Year – Willie Peters

It’s not exactly original, but if Hull KR are to retain their crown, then Peters is the logical coach to win this award. John Cartwright at Hull FC would be my second pick, as I can see the Black and Whites having a good year, but Peters looks the most likely to me.

So, there we have it. Add your comments below or get in touch on social media to let me know how wrong I am and I’ll be sure to look back at this in October to see how badly things went!