2026 London Broncos season

Last updated

2026 London Broncos season
2026 RFL Championship Rank10th
2026 recordWins: 0; draws: 0; losses: 0
Points scoredFor: 0; against: 0
Team information
Head Coach Jason Demetriou
Captain
  • TBA
Stadium Plough Lane
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body whitecollar.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Home colours
Kit left arm greyborder.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body carolinacollar.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm greyborder.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Away colours
  2025 List of seasons 2027  

The 2026 London Broncos season is the 47th year in the club's history and their first season under the ownership group of Darren Lockyer, Grant Wechsel and Gary Hetherington. It is their fifth season at Plough Lane as tenants of AFC Wimbledon. They are coached by new Head coach Jason Demetriou who is assisted by the returning Danny Ward. The Broncos will compete in the 2026 RFL Championship, 2026 Challenge Cup and the 2026 RFL 1895 Cup.

Contents

Ownership

In September 2025, following the conclusion of London's 2025 RFL Championship season, Darren Lockyer led an ownership group consisting of businessman Grant Wechsel, and Super League executive Gary Hetherington in the successful takeover of the London Broncos. [1] [2]

Super League bid

In October 2025, with Toulouse Olympique and the York Knights selected for promotion, the London club were controversially overlooked for elevation to the Super League in favour of the Bradford Bulls. [3] [4] [5]

Following the decision, the club’s ownership group confirmed their commitment to the long-term vision, emphasising that they will compete in the Championship for the 2026 season with the goal of securing a Super League place in the future. [6]

Coaches

Mike Eccles relinquished his lead coach role at the end of the 2025 season after Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from the 2026 season.

This was confirmed after the Darren Lockyer led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] Eccles became the Director of Rugby & Performance at the Broncos. [12]

In September 2025 Jason Demetriou was confirmed as the new head coach of the London Broncos from 2026 onwards. This was confirmed was confirmed to be a three-year deal after the Darren Lockyer led takeover of the London side was ratified in September 2025. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

In October 2025 Danny Ward returned to the club as assistant coach, taking the role after winning the Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers. [19] He returned to the club where he was the head coach for four years, assistant for three years and under 19s coach for two years, as well as spending four years as a player in the capital.

Re-branding and Reebok partnership

In October 2025 the Broncos signed a multi year deal with the global sports brand Reebok as first team kit manufacturer as well as official supplier of teamwear and merchandise. [20]

The re-branding also involved a change in logo, as well as a move away from the black with a white chevron kits that had been the mainstay of the club for over a decade. [21]

The 2026 home kit shifted away from traditional London colours and moved to navy blue. [22] [23] This move however did have connection to the away kits of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons as well as a colour connection to the away kits of the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons.

Training ground

The Hazelwood Centre, the new training and administrative headquarters of the London Broncos London Irish Rugby Club (geograph 4542268).jpg
The Hazelwood Centre, the new training and administrative headquarters of the London Broncos

In November 2025 the London Broncos moved to a new training base, taking over the former London Irish rugby union club facility in Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey. The Hazelwood complex will serve as the Broncos new training ground and also their administrative base. The Broncos are the primary tenants at the site, however London Irish Amateur will still continue play their Regional 2 Thames level six games there. [24]

The Broncos new administrative headquarters has four full size grass pitches, one full size 4G pitch, medical support centre, gym and a large clubhouse with an on-site chef and a licensed bar open to the public 7 days a week. [25] [26]

Pre season friendlies

To be announced.

Betfred Championship

Fixtures

Betfred Championship
RoundHomeScoreAwayMatch Information
DateTimeVenueRefereeAttendance
1 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings Sunday 18 January 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
2 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham Sunday 1 February 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
3 Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 15 February 202615:00 The Millennium Stadium
4 Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 22 February 202615:00 Heywood Road
5 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos NWCrucolours.png North Wales Crusaders Saturday 28 February 202619:30 Cherry Red Records Stadium
6 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 8 March 202615:00 The Shay
7 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Sunday 22 March 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
8 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs Saturday 28 March 202618:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
9 Bye for the London Broncos
10 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles Saturday 11 April 202618:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
11 Doncaster colours.svg Doncaster Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 26 April 202615:00 Eco-Power Stadium
12 Goolevikingscolours.png Goole Vikings Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Saturday 2 May 202615:00 Victoria Pleasure Grounds
13 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Midlandshurricanescolours.png Midlands Hurricanes Sunday 10 May 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
14 Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 24 May 202615:00 Steel City Stadium
15 NWCrucolours.png North Wales Crusaders Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 7 June 202615:00 Eirias Stadium
16 Bye for the London Broncos
17 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers Sunday 21 June 202615:00 Twickenham Stoop
18 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 28 June 202615:00 The Fox's Biscuits Stadium
19 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Doncaster colours.svg Doncaster Saturday 11 July 202619:30 Kuflink Stadium
20 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 19 July 202615:00 CorpAcq Stadium
21 Midlandshurricanescolours.png Midlands Hurricanes Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 26 July 202614:00 Alexander Stadium
22 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Sunday 2 August 202615:00 DCBL Stadium
23 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Goolevikingscolours.png Goole Vikings Sunday 9 August 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
24 Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Friday 14 August 202619:45 Boundary Park
25 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers Sunday 23 August 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium
26 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions Sunday 30 August 202615:00 Cherry Red Records Stadium

Table

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
1 Barrowcolours.svg Barrow Raiders 00000000
2 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs 00000000
3 Ramscolours.svg Dewsbury Rams 00000000
4 Doncaster colours.svg Doncaster 00000000
5 Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers 00000000
6 Goolevikingscolours.png Goole Vikings 00000000
7 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers 00000000
8 Hunsletcolours.svg Hunslet 00000000
9 Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars 00000000
10 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos 00000000
11 Midlandshurricanescolours.png Midlands Hurricanes 00000000
12 Gthundercolours.svg Newcastle Thunder 00000000
13 NWCrucolours.png North Wales Crusaders 00000000
14 Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham 00000000
15 Rochdale colours.svg Rochdale Hornets 00000000
16 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils [a] 00000000
17 Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles 00000000
18 Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions 00000000
19 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings 00000000
20 Haven colours.svg Whitehaven 00000000
21 Workingtoncolours.svg Workington Town 00000000
First match(es) will be played: 17-18 January 2026. Source: RFL
Notes:
  1. The Salford Red Devils’ membership of the RFL was terminated on 3 December 2025. [27] Salford were wound up by the High Court over outstanding debts and liquidated on 3 December 2025. A meeting regarding new ownership and a phoenix club is due to be held on 4 December 2025. [28]

Challenge Cup

Date and timeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
24–25 JanuaryRound 2 British Army or Wests Warriors Home Plough Lane [29] [30]

1895 Cup

2026 transfers

Gains

PlayerFromCompetitionContractDate
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reagan Campbell-Gillard Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans NRL 6 October 2025 [31]
Flag of Tonga.svg Siliva Havili South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 9 October 2025 [32]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dean Hawkins Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels NRL 24 October 2025 [33]
Flag of England.svg Sam Davis Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Super League 24 October 2025 [34]
Flag of England.svg Jake Ramsden Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves Super League 24 October 2025 [35]
Flag of England.svg Bobby Hartley Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars RFL League One 28 October 2025 [36]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Finley Glare Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters Queensland Cup 6 November 2025 [37]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Robert Mathias Queensland Cup 10 November 2025 [38]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Gairo Voro Queensland Cup 17 November 2025 [39]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Epel Kapinias Queensland Cup 18 November 2025 [40]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Morea Morea Central Comets colours.svg Central Queensland Capras Queensland Cup 7 November 2025 [41]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Jeremiah Simbiken Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers Super League 10 November 2025 [42]
Flag of Nigeria.svg Elliot Wallis Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants Super League 13 November 2025 [43]
Flag of England.svg Jack Croft Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Super League 13 November 2025 [44]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Marly Bitungane North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys NRL 1 year [45] 21 November 2025 [46]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Luke Smith Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 1 year [47] 21 November 2025 [48]
Flag of England.svg James Meadows Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls RFL Championship 4 December 2025 [49]
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Alex Max Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters Queensland Cup 5 December 2025 [50]

Losses

PlayerFromCompetitionContractDate
Flag of Italy.svg Ethan Natoli PiaRLcolours.PNG Pia XIII Baroudeur Super XIII 1 year5 August 2025
Flag of France.svg Christopher Hellec LimouxRLcolours.PNG Limoux Grizzlies Super XIII 1 year26 September 2025
Flag of Italy.svg Luke Polselli ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique Super League 1 year26 October 2025 [51]

Loans In

PlayerFromCompetitionContractDate
Flag of England.svg Neil Tchamambe Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Super League 1 year - until end of season21 October 2025 [52]

Squad

2026 London Broncos squad
First team squadCoaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


Squad statistics

Squad NumberNameInternational countryPositionAgePrevious clubAppearancesTriesGoalsDrop GoalsPointsNotes
1 Alex Walker Flag of Scotland.svg Fullback - Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers 00000
4 Brandon Webster-Mansfield Flag of Australia (converted).svg Centre - Villefranchecolours.png Villefranche 00000
5 Liam Tindall Flag of England.svg Wing - Hullcolours.svg Hull FC 00000
7 Connor O'Beirne Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scrum-half - LezignanRLcolours.PNG Lezignan 00000
10 Lewis Bienek Four Provinces Flag.svg Prop - Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers 00000
11 Will Lovell Flag of England.svg Second-row - Skolscolours.svg London Skolars 00000
12 Sadiq Adebiyi Flag of Nigeria.svg Second-row - Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars 00000
13 Marcus Stock Flag of England.svg Second-row - YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights 00000
18 Ben Hursey-Hord Flag of England.svg Loose forward - Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers 00000
30 Ted Davidson Flag of England.svg Centre - Broncoscolours.png London Broncos Academy00000
-- Marly Bitungane Flag of Australia (converted).svg Prop - North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys 00000
-- Reagan Campbell-Gillard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Prop - Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans 00000
-- Jack Croft Flag of England.svg Centre - Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity 00000
-- Sam Davis Flag of England.svg Hooker - Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 00000
-- Finley Glare Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Hooker - Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters 00000
-- Bobby Hartley Flag of England.svg Second-row - Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars 00000
-- Siliva Havili Flag of Tonga.svg Hooker - South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 00000
-- Dean Hawkins Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scrum-half - Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 00000
-- Epel Kapinias Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Prop - Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters 00000
-- Robert Mathias Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Centre - Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters 00000
-- Alex Max Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Centre - Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters 00000
-- James Meadows Flag of England.svg Scrum-half - Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 00000
-- Morea Morea Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Fullback - Central Comets colours.svg Central Queensland Capras 00000
-- Jake Ramsden Flag of England.svg Second-row - Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 00000
-- Jeremiah Simbiken Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Second-row - Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers 00000
-- Luke Smith Flag of Australia (converted).svg Second-row - Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury Bulldogs 00000
-- Neil Tchamambe Flag of England.svg Wing - Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity 00000Loan
-- Gairo Voro Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Stand-off - Port Moresby Vipers Colours.svg PNG Hunters 00000
-- Elliot Wallis Flag of Nigeria.svg Wing - Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants 00000


References

  1. London Broncos Secure New Ownership Group With Super League Ambitions
  2. Why Darren Lockyer bought a struggling British rugby league club
  3. Bradford Bulls make shock Super League return via gradings system as Salford Red Devils drop out
  4. "York and Toulouse to play in expanded Super League". 17 October 2025.
  5. London Broncos overlooked for Super League promotion
  6. "London Broncos Commit to Continued Growth and Future Super League Ambitions". londonbroncosrl.com. 17 October 2025.
  7. Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
  8. London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
  9. London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
  10. Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
  11. Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
  12. Mike Eccles’ new role confirmed as London Broncos double down on ‘excellence’ vision
  13. Lockyer sees 'exciting opportunity' to buy Broncos
  14. London Broncos: Super League bid for 2026 expansion confirmed as Jason Demetriou 'commits' to club
  15. London Broncos secure Jason Demetriou on “three-year pre-commitment” as new owners confirmed
  16. Darren Lockyer confirms Jason Demetriou and major NRL signings in London Broncos plan
  17. Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach
  18. "Demetriou to join London Broncos as head coach". www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. Hull KR announce Danny Ward exit with new club confirmed
  20. London Broncos signs multi-year kit deal with Reebok amid rebrand
  21. London Broncos unveil 'iconic' rebrand including two new logos and Reebok partnership
  22. “The Wrexham of Rugby League”: inside the London Broncos rebrand
  23. London Broncos unveil new look for 2026 with release of new kits
  24. London Broncos move to major training facility once used by top rugby union club
  25. London Irish RFC Complex
  26. We are more than just rugby....
  27. "Salford Red Devils - Update". www.rugby-league.com.
  28. "Salford Red Devils: Troubled ex-Super League club wound up by High Court". BBC Sport. 3 December 2025.
  29. "Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 – First and Second Round draws details". Rugby Football League. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  30. Challenge Cup First and Second Round draws confirmed as Road to Wembley begins
  31. Broncos sign prop Campbell-Gillard
  32. Aaron Bower (9 October 2025). "London Broncos land next big signing as South Sydney star snubs Super League interest to join". Love Rugby League.
  33. Parramatta Eels halfback Dean Hawkins’ new club confirmed as London Broncos swoop
  34. Salford Red Devils: Sam Davis’s Departure
  35. London Broncos strong recruitment continues as Super League youngster and Salford Red Devils man sign
  36. London Broncos land another promising forward in latest signing
  37. PNG Rugby Talent Finley Glare Signs with London Broncos for 2026 Season
  38. Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
  39. PNG Star Gairo Voro Secures London Broncos Deal for 2026
  40. Ben Olawumi (19 November 2025). "London Broncos swoop to sign next Papua New Guinea star as identity revealed". Love Rugby League.
  41. Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos' Papua New Guinean contingent grows as former Leigh Leopards target joins". Love Rugby League.
  42. Aaron Bower (10 November 2025). "London Broncos snap up two more Papua New Guinea stars including ex-Castleford man". Love Rugby League.
  43. Aaron Bower (13 November 2025). "Elliot Wallis signs for London Broncos following Huddersfield Giants exit". Love Rugby League.
  44. Aaron Bower (16 November 2025). "Wakefield Trinity man set for switch to London Broncos in 2026". Love Rugby League.
  45. "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
  46. Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos set to land NRL duo on short-term deals as next steps outlined". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  47. "Exciting Prospects Emarly Bitungane And Luke Smith Sign With Perth Bears". 3 December 2025.
  48. Ben Olawumi (7 November 2025). "London Broncos set to land NRL duo on short-term deals as next steps outlined". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  49. Bradford Bulls star James Meadows rejoins London Broncos
  50. ANOTHER HUNTER SIGNED
  51. Aaron Bower (26 October 2025). "Toulouse land first 2026 signing as London Broncos star signs for Super League newcomers". Love Rugby League.
  52. Wakefield Trinity's ex-Leeds Rhinos & Hull KR winger Neil Tchamambe makes loan move to Championship club