The Championship season is on the horizon, as Widnes look to put 2025 disappointment behind them
Widnes will open their 2026 campaign with a trip to the capital on the opening day of the season as they are set to face competition favourites London Broncos.
The new look London club owned by former Kangaroo’s captain Darren Lockyer and Australian businessman Grant Wechsel have invested heavily on and off the field.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach and Widnes Vikings Centre Jason Demetriou was appointed as head coach, whilst Regan Campbell-Gillard was the most high profile signing made in the off season, with over 200 NRL appearances and 9 caps for Australia.
The Broncos have also recruited Full-back Morea Morea, Centre Robert Mathias, Hooker Finley Glare and Half-back Gairo Voro who are all established Queensland Cup stars and PNG internationals.
Outside back Elliott Wallis will also link up with the Broncos in 2026 with 40 Super League appearances and 14 tries to his name.
On field expectation for Widnes
Despite the sternest of tests on the opening day for Widnes, pressure and expectation is building for the club to compete at the very top of the newly merged Championship.
Allan Coleman enters his third full season as Widnes head coach, securing a play-off finish in his first season, however falling short in his second year.
His third season in charge at the club will be the first year all players under contract have been signed or retained by Coleman during his time as head coach, making the squad firmly his own.
Traditional heavy Championship spenders Toulouse Olympique, Bradford Bulls and York Knights have all been promoted to Super League, whilst relegated Salford still face financial uncertainty after being liquidated.
Championship heavyweights Featherstone Rovers also face financial uncertainty after recently applying for administration.
Circumstances elsewhere and a third season under the stewardship of Allan Coleman should mean a top four finish for the Vikings is the minimum expectation in 2026, after registering interest for a Super League place at the end of 2025.
Top four challengers
London Broncos
London Broncos will enter the Championship season as firm favourites after recruiting a wealth of talent from overseas.
Oldham
Last years 4th placed Oldham will be odds on favourites to finish runners up, after retaining a large number of last years squad.
Players like Jack Ormondroyd, Ryan Brierley and Josh Drinkwater have a wealth of experience playing Super League, whilst new Australian recruits Ewan Moore and Cole Geyer will add further quality to the forward pack.
Oldham have also secured the services of Centre Jake Bibby, Winger Matty Russell, Prop Harvey Makin and PNG international forward Emanuel Waine for the 2026 season.
Centre or Winger Tom Nisbett also arrives at Oldham after a season down under. The outside back made a handful of appearances for Widnes on loan back in 2024.
Sheffield Eagles
Despite a turbulent 2025 season, Sheffield will be confident of a return to the top four. The Eagles have took full advantage of the promotion of Bradford Bulls securing the services of prolific Centre Kieran Gill and experienced Half-back Jordan Lilly.
Craig Lingard’s team have also captured York Knights forward Connor Fitzsimmons. The Cumbrian Front-row has been one of the stand out Championship forwards of recent years adding more steel to the Eagles pack.
The trio of signings will join a squad still full of top quality Championship experience looking to write the wrongs of 2025.
Newcastle Thunder
The dark horses for a top four finish could actually materialise at Newcastle Thunder. The north east club finished bottom of League One last season failing to register a win.
Recently it has been announced the club has secured a strong partnership with Super League club York Knights.
Thunder have already captured the signings of powerful forward Bailey Antrobus, Australian Hooker Sam Cook, Centres Joe Law and Jude Ferreria all from the Knights following their promotion to Super League.
Due to teams fixture difficulty being determined by last years on field performances, Newcastle have the most favourable fixture running of any team in the division only playing Batley, Barrow and Hunslet home and away from last years Championship.
With further additions to the playing squad, Newcastle could mount a serious challenge for the top places in the division, without having to play any of the teams expected to compete at the top of the Championship table.
