​2026 Betfred Women’s Super League Fixtures Revealed

Wigan Warriors will launch their defence of the Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) on Saturday 16 May after a historic 2025 season which saw them become just the third BWSL team to complete the treble.

The Warriors almost finished the 2025 season undefeated, with just a singular defeat by York Valkyrie, which saw them not only reach their first Grand Final since 2018, but walk away the victors with a 16-12 win in front of a record crowd.

Their opening game sees them host two-time Champions Leeds Rhinos at the newly refurbished Edge Hall Road Community Stadium, which will be a venue exclusively used to promote Women’s Sport, Health and Wellbeing (KO 2pm).

York Valkyrie will be looking to prove themselves under new Head Coach Leon Pryce after former coach Lindsey Anfield announced her departure following five seasons with the side. They face Huddersfield Giants, who also welcome new Head Coach Nathan Graham, at LNER Community Stadium as the first part of a double header which also features the men’s teams in Round 11 of the Betfred Super League (16 May, KO 12pm). 

After just one year away, Featherstone Rovers make their return to the BWSL following an impressive run in the Northern Championship where they beat the undefeated London Broncos in the Grand Final to earn their promotion. They will be hosted by Leigh Leopards, who were newly promoted last season and are again looking to prove themselves by securing that top 4 finish (16 May).

Rounding out the opening weekend are St Helens who will be looking to bounce back after their painful defeat in the 2025 BWSL Grand Final. Saints are rejoined by Paige Travis in 2026 as she returns from a season in the NRLW to pick up where she left off – helping Saints Women make history, securing the treble in 2021 and winning a historic four consecutive Women’s Challenge Cup titles between 2021 and 2024. Their campaign begins with a trip to Craven Park where they face Barrow Raiders on Sunday 17 May (KO 2:30pm). 

For 2026, the Betfred Women’s Super League will operate a split-season format with teams facing each other once - home or away - in a single round of fixtures.

Following the regular season, teams will split into the top and bottom four teams playing each other home and away in an extended Play-Off series.

The winners of the extended Play-Offs will be crowned League Leaders and earn a place in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final, whilst the teams in second and third will play each other for the remaining spot. The team finishing the season in eighth position will face the winners of the National Championship with the winner earning a spot in Super League for 2027.

Sky Sports will again showcase three BWSL fixtures this year in addition to the semi-final on September 19/20 before the Grand Final on Sunday 26 September. 

Thomas Brindle, General Manager of the Betfred Women’s Super League, said:  

“The Betfred Women’s Super League evolves in 2026, introducing an extended, high-impact play-off series designed to elevate performance, intensify competition, and unlock the next phase of commercial growth.”

“Built around the principle of turning the dial up on competitive games throughout the season, the refreshed competition structure ensures that every game matters, momentum builds across the season, and the biggest moments in women’s rugby league are showcased when attention is at its peak.”

“This evolution reflects the rapid growth of the women’s game and signals a confident step forward - one that balances long-term sustainability with elite performance on the world stage.”

First Round Fixtures:

Saturday 16 May

York Valkyrie v Huddersfield Giants – KO 12pm, LNER Community Stadium

Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos – KO 2pm, Edge Hall Road Community Stadium

Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers – KO TBC, Venue TBC

Sunday 17 May

Barrow Raiders v St Helens – KO 2:30pm, Craven Park