Newcastle Thunder announce fixtures for 2026 RFL Championship season

Newcastle Thunder will commence their 2026 Championship season on the road to Midlands Hurricanes on Sunday 18th January.

The new-look Betfred Championship will include 21 sides, combining the former Championship and League One sides that remained after the newly-expanded 14-team Super League.

The RFL confirm that “The league will be 24 rounds long, with each club playing 12 home games and 12 away games.

“Ten of those fixtures will be determined by league positions from the 2025 season, while two opponents will be based on geographical location to ensure all clubs get to play against their local rivals.”

Thunder will play both Hurricanes and Whitehaven away in their first two fixtures, before hosting Dewsbury Rams in their home opener on the 15th of February.

Rugby League’s festival of fixtures on Good Friday will see Thunder on the road to Goole Vikings at their recently-renovated Pleasure Grounds.

Newcastle will see the run in to the end of their 2026 season playing Workington Town and Batley Bulldogs away, with a bye week following, before hosting Midlands Hurricanes, and closing their season away to Dewsbury.

They will remain to hold matches at Blaydon RUFC’s Crow Trees Ground after their move away from Kingston Park, and the Gateshead International Stadium.

Head Coach Graham Steadman said: “The 2026 fixture list gives us a great platform, with a strong mix of early games and some exciting summer clashes at Blaydon to look forward to. The new format of the competition provides new opportunities and that’s something that should excite Thunder fans.”

See the fixtures down below: