The new Championship season is just a couple of weeks away now with Salford RLFC and Oldham due to face off in the opening game.
Salford still haven’t confirmed a head coach or any signings, but they are confident of being ready in time for January 16, which will be the start of a new era at the Salford Community Stadium.
Given the lack of preparation they’ve had as a club, it’s hard to see the phoenix club being able to compete at the top end of the table this year, especially with so many strong teams in the second tier.
With that in mind, and ahead of the new Championship season, we’ve taken a look at who can be considered the favourites and the dark horses for success outside the top flight in 2026.
Championship favourites and dark horses
London Broncos
We’ll start with the side who many will have down as the clear favourite for the Championship title. The Broncos have been taken over by Darren Lockyer and after missing out on a spot in Super League, they’ve made no secret for their desire to make the jump up for 2027.
They’ve recruited heavily then, with a raft of players arriving from overseas. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Siliva Havili and Dean Hawkins are the most high profile and they’ve joined alongside a number of Papua New Guinean players, who will be keen to impress under head coach Jason Demetriou.
They’re the side to watch then in 2026 and they certainly look like being hard to stop in their pursuit of glory.
Oldham
The Roughyeds finished fourth in their first season back in the second tier in 2025 and given the three teams that finished ahead of them have all been promoted, they’ll have every right to look towards the very top of the ladder.
There’s been some changes at Boundary Park, though, with head coach Sean Long leaving the club, while Ryan Brierley and Jordan Turner have retired and Jumah Sambou, Matty Forster, Ethan Ryan, Elijah Taylor and Eloi Pellissier have all moved on.
However, Jake Bibby, Tom Nisbet, Emmanuel Waine, Matty Russell and Harvey Makin have all arrived alongside three Australians from the Queensland Cup in Ewan Moore, Cole Geyer and Jaron Purcell.
Halifax Panthers
Kyle Eastmond led Halifax to the play-off semi-finals in his first year in charge of the club and they’ve recruited with the clear intention of being able to build on that. Alfie Johnson, Tanguy Zenon, Myles Lawford and Dan Okoro have all arrived from Super League, while Bayley Liu looks to be a steady addition from Bradford Bulls.
The signing of Serbia international Jesse Soric from Gold Coast Titans is an interesting one and eyes will be on how he settles in. However, he arrives with pedigree and he could well prove to be a difference maker at The Shay.
Widnes Vikings
The Vikings had high hopes of being selected to return to Super League in October and they put together a strong case. They were overlooked, ultimately, but they know a strong season on the field will do their chances of promotion this year no harm at all.
They’ve landed Jordan Abdull, who has a point to prove after being released by Hull FC a year ago. They’ve also brought in three North Wales Crusaders players and Nathan Connell from Salford Red Devils. Jack Bibby and Jay Chapelhow have also joined the club.
Ultimately, the Vikings are a sleeping giant in the Championship, but momentum is building and with a head of steam behind them, they could be a force to be reckoned with in 2026.
Sheffield Eagles
The Eagles finished 11th in the Championship last season and that has to be considered an underachievement under Craig Lingard. However, they have been busy in the off-season and they’ve managed to completely change the look of their first-team squad.
Some high profile players have left the club, such as Danny Craven, Cory Aston, Matty Dawson-Jones and Oliver Roberts. But, they have managed to bring in some quality additions from the Super League and those teams stepping up to the top tier in 2026.
George Griffin and Josh Hodson arrive from Castleford Tigers, Lennie Ellis has been signed from Hull KR and Kai Morgan will lead the attack after signing from Salford. Kieran Gill and Jordan Lilley have signed from Bradford Bulls, while ex-York Knights pair Joe Brown and Connor Fitzsimmons have also joined. They really ought to be strong in 2026.
Doncaster
The Dons have made no secret of their desire to step up to Super League and they made a bid to be promoted ahead of the 2026 campaign. They’ll put their hand up again later this year, of that there is little doubt, and a strong Championship season would certainly strengthen their claim.
The signings of Muizz Mustapha, Cory Aston, Connor Jones, James Glover, Gadwin Springer and Tom Holmes serve to bolster Richard Horne’s side and improve a top 17 which is packed full of former Super League talent.
Barrow Raiders
The Raiders made a real statement of intent with their 50-24 win over League One champions North Wales Crusaders and on the face of it, Paul Crarey is working with a balanced and tight knit squad.
They’ve made just four new signings and of them Joe Bullock and Tee Ritson were with the club last season anyway. Trent Ruddy and Greg Richards have also arrived, with the latter providing plenty of Super League experience.
Indeed Barrow may well go about their business quietly but they could find themselves up there in 2026, particularly as last season’s ninth placed finish ensures they have plenty of former League One teams to play.
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