2026 Castleford Tigers season

2026 Castleford Tigers season
Team information
Chairman	Martin Jepson
Head coach	Ryan Carr
Captain	Alex Mellor
Stadium	Wheldon Road
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The 2026 season will be the Castleford Tigers' 101st season in the Rugby Football League and their 19th consecutive season in the top flight of English rugby league. The club will compete in the 2026 Super League and the 2026 Challenge Cup.

This will be Castleford's first season under Ryan Carr as head coach, and the team will be captained by Alex Mellor.

Kits

Supplier: Oxen
Main sponsor: CBR Engineering

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First-team squad

2026 Castleford Tigers Squad

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First team squad								Coaching staff
1 Blake Taaffe – FB 2 Semi Valemei – WG, CE 3 Zac Cini – CE 4 Darnell McIntosh – CE, WG 5 Mikaele Ravalawa – WG 6 Daejarn Asi – SO 7 Tom Weaver – SH 8 Renouf Atoni – PR 9 Liam Hood – HK 10 George Lawler (vc) – PR, SR 11 Jordan Lane – SR 12 Alex Mellor (c) – SR 13 Joe Stimson – LF, PR		14 Brock Greacen – PR, SR 15 Jack Ashworth – PR, SR 16 Joe Westerman – LF, PR 17 Chris Atkin – SH, HK 18 Fletcher Rooney – FB 19 Brad Singleton – PR 21 Louis Senior – CE, WG 22 Jason Qareqare – WG 23 Krystian Mapapalangi – CE 24 Jenson Windley – SO 25 Sam Hall – PR 26 Alfie Lindsey – WG 27 Cain Robb – HK		28 George Hill – LF, HK 29 Ramon Silva – PR 30 Jimmy Beckett – PR				Head coach Ryan Carr Assistant coaches Brett Delaney Scott Murrell Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice-captain(s) (gk) Goal kicker Updated: 22 January 2025 Source(s):

Transfers and loans

Transfers in

No	Player	From	Contract	Date	Ref.
14	Brock Greacen	Newcastle Knights	2 years	31 July 2025	[1]
1	Blake Taaffe	Canterbury Bulldogs	3 years	25 August 2025	[2]
5	Mikaele Ravalawa	St George Illawarra	3 years	29 August 2025	[3]
2	Semi Valemei	North Queensland Cowboys	2 years	2 September 2025	[4]
11	Jordan Lane	Hull FC	4 years	10 September 2025	[5]
15	Jack Ashworth	Hull FC	2 years	27 September 2025	[6]
8	Renouf Atoni	Wakefield Trinity	2 years	29 September 2025	[7]
9	Liam Hood	Wakefield Trinity	1 year [a]	2 October 2025	[8]
4	Darnell McIntosh	Leigh Leopards	2 years	13 October 2025	[9]
7	Tom Weaver	Gold Coast Titans	2 years	24 October 2025	[10]
20	Aiden Doolan	Barrow Raiders	2 years	12 November 2025	[11]
30	Jimmy Beckett	Featherstone Rovers	1 year	5 January 2026	[12]
—	Krystian Mapapalangi	Wests Tigers	2 years	22 January 2026	[13]

Transfers out

No	Player	To	Contract	Date	Ref.
41	Tom Amone	Hull Kingston Rovers	3 years	15 April 2025	[14]
15	George Griffin	Sheffield Eagles	2 years	5 September 2025	[15] [16]
24	Josh Simm	Catalans Dragons	2 years	6 September 2025	[17]
11	Jeremiah Simbiken	London Broncos	1 year	11 September 2025	[18] [19]
25	Will Tate	Wakefield Trinity	1 year	15 September 2025	[20] [21]
18	Josh Hodson	Sheffield Eagles	2 years	15 September 2025	[22] [23]
17	Luke Hooley	Bradford Bulls	2 years	23 September 2025	[24]
4	Sam Wood	York Knights	1 year	27 September 2025	[25] [26]
5	Innes Senior	Leigh Leopards	2 years	9 October 2025	[27] [28]
20	Muizz Mustapha	Doncaster R.L.F.C.	2 years	10 October 2025	[29] [30]
9	Liam Horne	Leigh Leopards	3 years	24 October 2025	[31]
1	Tex Hoy	Released		22 November 2025	[32]
44	Andy Djeukessi	Newcastle Thunder	1 year	24 December 2025	[33]

Loans out

No	Player	To	Loan type	Departure	Return	Ref.
20	Aiden Doolan	Barrow Raiders	Season-long	15 January 2026	Ongoing	[34]

1. With an option for a further year

Pre-season friendlies

Castleford announced pre-season fixtures against Featherstone Rovers, Oldham, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens. ^[35] The Leeds fixture served as a testimonial match for Brad Singleton, and the St Helens match for Matty Lees. ^[36] The Featherstone friendly was cancelled after the opponents entered administration in December. ^[37] Castleford had additionally planned to attend a pre-season training camp in Spain and play Oldham as part of the Benidorm Bash rugby league festival, however the event was cancelled by the organisers. ^[38] The fixture was rearranged to Wheldon Road, although was later postponed due to a frozen pitch. ^[39]

Sat 27 December	Castleford Tigers	P–P [a]	Featherstone Rovers	Castleford
13:30 GMT		[LRL Report]		Stadium: Wheldon Road

Sat 10 January [b]	Castleford Tigers	P–P [c]	Oldham	Castleford
15:00 GMT		[YEP Report]		Stadium: Wheldon Road

Sun 18 January [d]	Castleford Tigers	26–10	Leeds Rhinos	Castleford
15:00 GMT	Tries: Grice  29' Windley  35' Sharpe  65' Coughlan  69' Beedle  71' Goals: Rooney (3/4)  30', 36', 72' Singleton (0/1)	[YEP Report]	Tries: Richardson  11' Brown  42' Goals: Thomas (1/2)  43'	Stadium: Wheldon Road Referee: Tom Grant

Sat 24 January [e]	St Helens	40–10	Castleford Tigers	St Helens
15:00 GMT	Tries: Macdonald  13' Robertson  18' Cross  27' Wright  52', 63' Murphy  74' Sailor  78' Goals: Hastings (4/5)  14', 19', 53', 64' Sailor (1/1)  75' Whitby (1/1)  79'	[TRL Report]	Tries: Ravalawa  39', 69' Goals: Weaver (1/2)  40'	Stadium: BrewDog Stadium Attendance: 5,422 Referee: Jack Smith

1. Postponed due to Featherstone entering administration
2. Originally intended to be played at the Benidorm Bash in Spain; rearranged following the event's cancellation
3. Postponed due to frozen pitch
4. Brad Singleton's testimonial match
5. Matty Lees' testimonial match

Super League

Main article: 2026 Super League season

In November 2025, in the days prior to the Super League fixture release, clubs revealed their schedules for the opening round, Rivals Round, and the Magic Weekend. ^[40] On 27 November, the full Super League fixture list was announced. ^[41]

Results

Round 1: Sun 15 February	Castleford Tigers	v	Wigan Warriors	Castleford
15:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 2: Sat 21 February	Toulouse Olympique	v	Castleford Tigers	Toulouse
19:00 CET				Stadium: Stade Ernest-Wallon

Round 3: Fri 27 February	Castleford Tigers	v	Huddersfield Giants	Castleford
20:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 4: Sun 8 March	Leeds Rhinos	v	Castleford Tigers	Leeds
15:00 GMT				Stadium: Headingley Rugby Stadium

Round 5: Sat 21 March	Warrington Wolves	v	Castleford Tigers	Warrington
15:00 GMT				Stadium: Halliwell Jones Stadium

Round 6: Thu 26 March	Castleford Tigers	v	Bradford Bulls	Castleford
20:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 7: Sun 5 April	Castleford Tigers	v	Wakefield Trinity	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 8: Sun 19 April	Wigan Warriors	v	Castleford Tigers	Wigan
15:00 BST				Stadium: Brick Community Stadium

Round 9: Fri 24 April	Castleford Tigers	v	Hull FC	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 10: Thu 30 April	Hull Kingston Rovers	v	Castleford Tigers	Kingston upon Hull
20:00 BST				Stadium: Craven Park

Round 11: Sat 16 May	York Knights	v	Castleford Tigers	York
15:00 BST				Stadium: York Community Stadium

Round 12: Sat 23 May	Castleford Tigers	v	St Helens	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 13: Fri 5 June	Castleford Tigers	v	Leigh Leopards	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 14: Sat 13 June	Catalans Dragons	v	Castleford Tigers	Perpignan
19:00 CEST				Stadium: Stade Gilbert Brutus

Round 15: Sat 20 June	Castleford Tigers	v	Toulouse Olympique	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 16: Fri 26 June	Castleford Tigers	v	York Knights	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 17: Sun 5 July	Wakefield Trinity	v	Castleford Tigers	Liverpool
TBC				Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium

Round 18: Sat 11 July	Leigh Leopards	v	Castleford Tigers	Leigh
15:00 BST				Stadium: Leigh Sports Village

Round 19: Sun 19 July	Castleford Tigers	v	Leeds Rhinos	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 20: Fri 24 July	Wakefield Trinity	v	Castleford Tigers	Wakefield
20:00 BST				Stadium: Belle Vue

Round 21: Sat 1 August	Castleford Tigers	v	Warrington Wolves	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 22: Fri 7 August	Castleford Tigers	v	Hull Kingston Rovers	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 23: Fri 14 August	Hull FC	v	Castleford Tigers	Kingston upon Hull
20:00 BST				Stadium: MKM Stadium

Round 24: Sat 22 August	St Helens	v	Castleford Tigers	St Helens
15:00 BST				Stadium: BrewDog Stadium

Round 25: Fri 28 August	Castleford Tigers	v	Catalans Dragons	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 26: Thu 3 September	Bradford Bulls	v	Castleford Tigers	Bradford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Odsal Stadium

Round 27: Fri 11 September	Huddersfield Giants	v	Castleford Tigers	Huddersfield
20:00 BST				Stadium: Kirklees Stadium

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Bradford Bulls	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Advance to Semi-finals
2	Castleford Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Catalans Dragons	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Advance to Eliminators
4	Huddersfield Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Hull FC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Hull Kingston Rovers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Leeds Rhinos	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Leigh Leopards	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	St Helens	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Toulouse Olympique	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Wakefield Trinity	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Warrington Wolves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	Wigan Warriors	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	York Knights	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegated to Championship

Source:

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2026 Challenge Cup

Castleford will enter the 2026 Challenge Cup in the Third Round, scheduled to be played in early February prior to the start of the Super League season. As a top flight club, they are guaranteed an away tie against non-Super League opposition. ^[42] In the Third Round draw on 12 January, Castleford were selected to face the winners of the Second Round tie between Doncaster and Newcastle Thunder. ^[43]

Third round: 6–8 February	Doncaster	v	Castleford Tigers	Doncaster
				Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium

References

1. "Castleford sign prop Greacen on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
2. Olawumi, Ben (25 August 2025). "Castleford Tigers swoop to sign NRL playmaker as long-term contract revealed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
3. "Ravalawa joins Cas on three-year deal". BBC Sport. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
4. "Castleford sign Fiji winger Valemei". BBC Sport. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
5. "Castleford sign Hull FC second rower Lane". BBC Sport. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
6. Ibbetson, Stephen (28 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers sign Jack Ashworth from Hull FC". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
7. "Castleford sign Kiwi forward Atoni from Wakefield". BBC Sport. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
8. "Castleford sign hooker Hood from Wakefield". BBC Sport. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
9. "Tigers bring in winger McIntosh from Leigh". BBC Sport. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
10. "Castleford sign Gold Coast half-back Weaver". BBC Sport. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
11. "Castleford bring in hooker Doolan". BBC Sport. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
12. McAllister, Josh (5 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers secure transfer target as Ryan Carr adds depth to pack". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
13. "Castleford sign Wests Tigers centre Mapapalangi". BBC Sport. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
14. "Hull KR sign Amone for 2026 after Castleford spell". BBC Sport. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
15. Olawumi, Ben (5 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers coach confirms decision on off-contract stalwart's future following Wakefield win". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
16. Smith, Peter (16 October 2025). "Ex-Castleford Tigers man George Griffin reunites with coach after finding new club". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
17. Olawumi, Ben (6 September 2025). "Off-contract Castleford Tigers star seals cross-Super League switch for 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
18. Chapman Coombe, Louis (11 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers coach confirms overseas star's exit as Sam Wood link to Hull FC addressed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
19. Brocksom, Sam (26 November 2025). "London Broncos unveil latest signing as released Castleford Tigers man joins". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
20. Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (15 September 2025). "It was also a chance to say goodbye to some of the lads who will be leaving us at the end of the season" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 September 2025– via Twitter.
21. "Wakefield sign Castleford outside back Tate". BBC Sport. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
22. Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (15 September 2025). "To all the executive partners and sponsors a massive thank you for your support this season, let's make 2026 one of the best yet" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 September 2025– via Twitter.
23. Olawumi, Ben (15 October 2025). "Released Castleford Tigers star seals Championship switch ahead of 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
24. Ibbetson, Stephen (23 September 2025). "'I have a lot to prove': Luke Hooley signs permanent Bradford Bulls deal". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
25. Ibbetson, Stephen (27 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers release England centre Sam Wood". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
26. Kennedy, Emma (13 October 2025). "York Knights sign centre Sam Wood from Castleford Tigers". The York Press. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
27. Olawumi, Ben (9 October 2025). "Castleford Tigers star secures release ahead of cross-Super League switch". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
28. "Winger Senior signs two-year deal with Leigh". BBC Sport. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
29. "Prop Mustapha released by Castleford". BBC Sport. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
30. Olawumi, Ben (26 October 2025). "Released Castleford Tigers prop lands new club as length of Championship deal confirmed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
31. "Leigh sign Castleford forward Horne". BBC Sport. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
32. Ibbetson, Stephen (22 November 2025). "Castleford Tigers confirm Tex Hoy exit". TotalRL. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
33. Ibbetson, Stephen (24 December 2025). "Newcastle Thunder sign young Castleford Tigers winger". TotalRL. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
34. Tomlinson, Daniel (15 January 2026). "New Castleford Tigers signing joins Championship club on season-long loan". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
35. Walker, Callum (23 December 2025). "Castleford Tigers announce three pre-season friendlies". TotalRL. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
36. Olawumi, Ben (3 January 2026). "2026 rugby league pre-season friendlies including dates, times and venues". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
37. Olawumi, Ben (10 December 2025). "Castleford Tigers postpone Featherstone friendly as Rovers file for administration". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
38. Ibbetson, Stephen (5 December 2025). "Organisers blamed as Castleford Tigers-Oldham Benidorm Bash cancelled". TotalRL. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
39. Smith, Peter (8 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers news: Oldham game called off for safety reasons after pitch hit by big freeze". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
40. "Super League fixtures: Champions Hull KR to visit newly-promoted York Knights on opening night with Rivals Round also revealed". Sky Sports. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
41. "2026 Fixtures released". Super League. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
42. Olawumi, Ben (18 November 2025). "2026 Challenge Cup round dates revealed in full as calendar takes shape". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
43. "Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round Draw". RFL. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.

External links

• Castleford Tigers official website