JUST round the corner lies the 2026 Super League season and predictions are already coming in thick and fast.
But, what five bold predictions can we make for this year’s campaign?
1. Leigh Leopards will finish top
It’s the first time that Adrian Lam and Leigh Leopards will be going into a new season without a double-figure turnover in terms of players. The fact that the Leopards finished third in 2025 after trying to move on from as many as 13 departures shows just how good of a coach Lam is – and sends a message to the rest of Super League that Leigh are here to stay in the play-offs. The Leopards have been building nicely in recent seasons and 2026 could see them secure another record finish on the ladder. With Hull KR’s attention focused on the World Club Challenge and Las Vegas at the start of the campaign, it paves the way for the Leopards to swoop.
2. St Helens will win the Challenge Cup
It could be a gamble to put St Helens as Challenge Cup winners following a few disappointing seasons, but new head coach Paul Rowley looks a man refreshed after the Salford debacle of 2025. NRL pedigree in the shape of David Klemmer and Jacob Host have joined for 2026, whilst Shane Wright has also joined on a permanent deal from the Red Devils. It will be interesting to see how Rowley fares when he is expected to do big things as opposed to being the underdog at Salford and Leigh previously, but he is a man very confident in his abilities. And the one-off fixture nature of the Challenge Cup could work in Rowley’s favour.
3. Wakefield Trinity will finish outside the play-offs
A superb 2025 in making the Super League play-offs after just being promoted, Wakefield Trinity may struggle with second-season syndrome in 2026. Trinity continue to build on and off the field, and so whilst eighth might seem harsh, other disappointing teams from the last campaign will surely improve to a level that Wakefield might not be able to hit just yet. That’s not to say that they won’t be impressive once more, it just might be a bit more difficult. Bringing in Tyson Smoothy and Jazz Tevaga from the NRL could prove key.
4. Warrington Wolves will slide further down the table
Something drastic needs to change at Warrington and fast. Whilst Sam Burgess enjoyed a good first year in charge at the Halliwell Jones, making the Challenge Cup Final as well as the Super League play-offs, 2025 proved to be a damp squib in the league at least. The Wolves finished eighth – one place above they are predicted to finish in 2026 – as Burgess continues to be linked with a move back to the NRL, whilst George Williams is expected to leave at the end of next season too. The solution for Warrington seems as far away as it ever has done.
5. Lachlan Lam will win Man of Steel
Maybe it’s not such a bold prediction considering Leigh Leopards have been forecasted to finish top, but Lachlan Lam has somehow gone unnoticed in Super League in recent years. The fact that the PNG international registered over 40 try assists last season and wasn’t even in the reckoning for the Man of Steel or Dream Team does beggar belief. Lachlan’s relationship with father and head coach Adrian continues to blossom and this can only be beneficial for both men and Leigh. Its time for Lachlan to hit the headlines.