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2026 Hull FC season

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Hull F.C. 2026 season
2026 Super League season Rank10th
Challenge CupRound 4
2026 recordWins: 5; draws: 0; losses: 9
Points scoredFor: 201; against: 249
Team information
ChairmenAndrew Thirkhill
David Hood
Head coachJohn Cartwright (until Round 9)
Andy Last (interim from Round 9)
Captain
StadiumMKM Stadium
High attendance16,653
Bradford Bulls, 14 February[1]
Low attendance12,148
St Helens, 16 April[2]
Top scorers
TriesLewis Martin (5)
GoalsZak Hardaker (27)
PointsZak Hardaker (62)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2025 List of seasons 2027 →

The 2026 season is Hull F.C.'s 29th consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. They are competing in the 2026 Super League season and competed in the 2026 Challenge Cup.

Preseason friendlies

[edit]
Date and time Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
25 January; 14:00[a] Huddersfield Giants H Brantingham Park L 16–28 Middlemas (2), Romano, C. Kemp C. Kemp (0/3), Fash (1/1) [4]
1 February; 15:00[b] Wigan Warriors A Brick Community Stadium L 18–22 Martin (3), Litten Pryce (1/1), C. Kemp (0/1), L. Kemp (0/2) 4,511 [6]

Super League

[edit]
Main article: 2026 Super League season

From 2026, the Super League expanded to 14 teams, with Toulouse Olympique and York Knights being promoted from the RFL Championship via the IMG Grading system.[7] At a meeting of all twelve Super League teams at the Headingley Rugby Stadium on 28 July 2025 to vote on the expansion proposal, Hull F.C. were one of two teams to vote against expanding the league, with the club stating they were against any expansion of the Super League at any time in the current economic climate.[8]

Fixtures

[edit]

Hull F.C.'s Super League 2026 fixtures were released on 27 November 2025:[9]

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV[10] Pos. Report
14 February; 17:30 Round 1 Bradford Bulls H MKM Stadium W 27–20 Batchelor, Barron, Litten, Cust Pryce (4/4 + 1 pen.)
Drop-goals: Pryce 		16,653 Sky Sports + 5th [1]
21 February; 20:00 Round 2 Wigan Warriors A Brick Community Stadium L 6–34 Hill Pryce (1/1) 16,620 Sky Sports + 9th [11]
27 February; 20:00 Round 3 York Knights H MKM Stadium L 16–17 Litten, Barron, Martin Hardaker (2/3) 12,716 Sky Sports + 10th [12]
5 March; 20:00 Round 4 Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue L 10–14 Martin (2) Hardaker (1/2) 8,239 Sky One
Sky Sports + Main 		11th [13]
22 March; 15:00 Round 5 Leeds Rhinos H MKM Stadium W 24–16 Arthur, Sao, Litten Hardaker (3/3 + 3 pen.) 12,871 Sky Sports + 8th [14]
29 March; 15:00 Round 6 Catalans Dragons H MKM Stadium W 24–20 Romano, Martin, Moy, Lisone Hardaker (3/4 + 1 pen.) 12,321 Sky Sports + 7th [15]
3 April; 12:30
(Good Friday) 		Round 7
(Rivals Round) 		Hull Kingston Rovers[c] A Craven Park L 6–24 Briscoe Hardaker (1/1) Sky Sports + Main 9th [17]
16 April; 20:00 Round 8[d] St Helens H MKM Stadium L 14–24 Moy, Bourouh Hardaker (2/2 + 1 pen.) 12,148 Sky One
Sky Sports + Main 		9th [2]
24 April; 20:00 Round 9 Castleford Tigers A Wheldon Road W 50–10 Litten (2), Arthur, Briscoe, Bailey, Martin, Hardaker, Cust, Aydin Hardaker (6/10 + 1 pen.) 8,030 Sky Sports + 8th [19]
3 May; 15:00 Round 10 Toulouse Olympique H MKM Stadium L 4–12 Briscoe Hardaker (0/1) 12,612 Sky Sports + 9th [20]
17 May; 15:00 Round 11 Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium L 14–16 Batchelor, Litten Hardaker (1/2 + 2 pen.) 7,815 Sky Sports + 9th [21]
22 May, 20:00 Round 12 Leigh Leopards A Leigh Sports Village L 6–42 Hardaker Hardaker (1/1) 8,216 Sky One
Sky Sports + Main 		10th [22]
5 June; 20:00 Round 13 Warrington Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium – Sky Sports +
13 June; 15:00 Round 14 Huddersfield Giants H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports +
19 June; 20:00 Round 15 Wakefield Trinity H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports +
27 June; 15:00 Round 16 Wigan Warriors H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports +
4 July; 15:00 Round 17
(Magic Weekend) 		Hull Kingston Rovers N Hill Dickinson Stadium – Sky Sports + Main
9 July; 20:00 Round 18 York Knights A York Community Stadium – Sky Sports
18 July; 17:30 Round 19 Leigh Leopards H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports
23 July; 20:00 Round 20 Hull Kingston Rovers H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports
30 July; 20:00 Round 21 Huddersfield Giants A Kirklees Stadium – Sky Sports
6 August; 20:00 Round 22 St Helens A BrewDog Stadium – Sky Sports
14 August; 20:00 Round 23 Castleford Tigers H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports
22 August; 20:00 (BST) Round 24 Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus – Sky Sports
29 August; 17:30 Round 25 Warrington Wolves H MKM Stadium – Sky Sports
4 September; 18:00 (BST) Round 26 Toulouse Olympique A Stade Ernest Wallon – Sky Sports
11 September; 20:00 Round 27 Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Rugby Stadium – Sky Sports

Table

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Leeds Rhinos 12 9 0 3 404 180 +224 18 Advance to Semi-finals
2 Warrington Wolves[e] 11 9 0 2 354 174 +180 18
3 St Helens 12 9 0 3 288 250 +38 18 Advance to Eliminators
4 Hull KR[e] 11 8 0 3 378 163 +215 16
5 Wakefield Trinity 12 8 0 4 308 197 +111 16
6 Wigan Warriors 12 7 0 5 299 255 +44 14
7 Leigh Leopards 12 6 0 6 240 256 −16 12
8 Catalans Dragons 12 6 0 6 247 341 −94 12
9 Castleford Tigers 12 5 0 7 206 356 −150 10
10 Hull F.C. 12 4 0 8 201 249 −48 8
11 Bradford Bulls 12 4 0 8 220 325 −105 8
12 York Knights 12 3 0 9 230 333 −103 6
13 Toulouse Olympique 12 3 0 9 186 300 −114 6
14 Huddersfield Giants 12 2 0 10 182 364 −182 4
Updated to match(es) played on 24 May 2026. Source: [1]
Notes:
  1. ^ Brad Fash's testimonial match[3]
  2. ^ Liam Marshall's testimonial match[5]
  3. ^ 250th Hull derby fixture[16]
  4. ^ Following this fixture, head coach John Cartwright, set to be replaced from 2027 by Steve McNamara, left the club with immediate effect and was replaced by interim coach Andy Last.[18]
  5. ^ a b A Round 2 fixture between Hull Kingston Rovers and Warrington Wolves has been postponed to 18 August due to the former's World Club Challenge commitments.[23]

Challenge Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2026 Challenge Cup

Hull F.C. were first drawn on 12 January to play the newly-reformed Salford RLFC away in Round 3,[24] following Salford's 42-10 defeat of Hammersmith Hills Hoists in their Round 2 fixture on 24 January.[25] Following their victory against Salford, Hull F.C. were drawn to play the Leigh Leopards away in Round 4.[26] Hull F.C. were ultimately knocked out of the 2026 Challenge Cup by Leigh in this fixture.[27]

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV[10] Report
6 February; 20:00 Round 3 Salford RLFC A Salford Community Stadium W 60–0 Litten (3), Cust (2), Aydin, Bourouh, Barron, Romano, Batchelor, Arthur Hardaker (8/11) 1,976 Not televised [28]
14 March; 15:00[a] Round 4 Leigh Leopards A Leigh Sports Village L 16–6 Cust Hardaker (1/1) 5,535 Not televised [27]

Transfers

[edit]

Gains

[edit]
Player Club Contract Date
England Harvie Hill Wigan Warriors 2 years March 2025[30]
Samoa Sam Lisone Leeds Rhinos 2 years July 2025[31]
Australia Jake Arthur Newcastle Knights 2 years August 2025[32]
England Joe Phillips Goole Vikings 1 year September 2025[33]
England Connor Bailey York Knights 2 years September 2025[34]
England Joe Batchelor St Helens 3 years September 2025[35]
Scotland James Bell St Helens 3 years September 2025[35]
France Arthur Romano Catalans Dragons 2 years September 2025[36]

Loans in

[edit]
Player Club Loan period Date
England Harry Newman Leeds Rhinos Three weeks April 2026[37]
New Zealand Jeremiah Mata'utia Leeds Rhinos Five weeks April 2026[38]
Australia Ethan O'Neill Leeds Rhinos One month May 2026[39]

Losses

[edit]
Player Club Contract Date
England Cobie Wainhouse Hull Kingston Rovers 2 years August 2025[40]
New Zealand Jordan Rapana N/A Retirement September 2025[41]
England Jordan Lane Castleford Tigers 4 years September 2025[42]
England Jack Ashworth Castleford Tigers 2 years September 2025[43]
England Zach Jebson Midlands Hurricanes 2 years October 2025[44]
England Jack Charles Hull Kingston Rovers 4 years October 2025[45]
England Will Gardiner Bradford Bulls 2 years October 2025[46]
England Liam Watts Goole Vikings 1 year January 2026[47]
England Owen Haldenby Salford RLFC 1 year January 2026[48]
Australia Liam Knight TBC February 2026[49]

Loans out

[edit]
Player Club Loan period Date
England Denive Balmforth York Knights End of season October 2025[50]
England Matty Laidlaw Hunslet R.L.F.C. Four weeks March 2026[51]
England Logan Moy Halifax Panthers March 2026[52]
France Hugo Salabio Halifax Panthers March 2026[52]

Squad

[edit]
2026 Hull F.C. squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Red card = suspended
  • red cross icon = injured
  • (gk) = Goal kicker

Updated: 18 May 2026
Source(s): 2026 Squad Numbers

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Fixture moved from 13 March at 20:00 due to 'logistical issues' related to the Leigh Sports Village.[29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Tomlinson, Daniel (14 February 2026). "Will Pryce leads Hull FC to victory as spirited Bradford beaten in dramatic fashion". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b Tomlinson, Daniel (16 April 2026). "Hull FC show plenty of spirit but lack killer blow in defeat to St Helens". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  3. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (21 November 2025). "Brad Fash testimonial game confirmed as Hull FC to meet Super League opposition". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  4. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (25 January 2026). "Hull FC defeated by Huddersfield Giants in pre-season as new signing stands out". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  5. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (7 November 2025). "Hull FC pre-season game confirmed as side head to Super League heavyweight". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  6. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (1 February 2026). "Hull FC defeated at Wigan but take the positives after stern pre-season test". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  7. ^ Freeman, Jay (17 October 2025). "York and Toulouse to play in expanded Super League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  8. ^ Bower, Aaron (28 July 2025). "The three clubs who did not vote for Super League expansion revealed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  9. ^ "2026 Betfred Super League Fixtures Confirmed". Hull F.C. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Fixtures". rugbyleagueontv.com. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (22 February 2026). "Hull FC suffer heavy defeat at Wigan Warriors as Will Pryce suffers late injury". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  12. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (27 February 2026). "Hull FC continue miserable week with shocking York Knights defeat". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  13. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (5 March 2026). "Hull FC second best once again as Wakefield Trinity hold on for narrow victory". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  14. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (22 March 2026). "Hull FC defy underdog tag to kickstart season with superb Leeds Rhinos victory". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  15. ^ McAllister, Josh (29 March 2026). "Hull FC cling on after Catalans Dragons fightback in dramatic MKM showdown". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  16. ^ Smailes, James (2 April 2026). "Friendships tested, record breakers and everything you need to know about 250th Hull derby". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  17. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (3 April 2026). "Hull KR continue derby dominance with victory over Hull FC". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  18. ^ "Hull FC appoint Steve McNamara as head coach from 2027 as John Cartwright steps down with immediate effect". Sky Sports. 17 April 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  19. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (24 April 2026). "Clinical Hull FC produce season best display as Andy Last gets perfect start". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  20. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (3 May 2026). "Woeful Hull FC go down to Toulouse after season worst performance". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  21. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (17 May 2026). "Sluggish Hull FC go down to Bradford Bulls after Yusuf Aydin red card". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  22. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (22 May 2026). "Depleted Hull FC show courage but go down to Leigh Leopards in heavy defeat". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  23. ^ Turner, Matt (22 May 2026). "Midweek date agreed for Hull KR vs Warrington Wolves clash". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  24. ^ Walker, Callum (12 January 2026). "Hull KR handed amateur trip as Challenge Cup third-round draw revealed". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  25. ^ Hayton, Edward (25 January 2026). "Salford RLFC beat Hammersmith Hills Hoists 42-10 to set up Hull FC tie". Salford Now. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  26. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (9 February 2026). "Challenge Cup fourth-round draw as Hull FC and Hull KR both face away ties". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  27. ^ a b Tomlinson, Daniel (14 March 2026). "Poor Hull FC beaten once again as poor start to season continues in cup defeat". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  28. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (6 February 2026). "Hull FC hammer Salford RLFC to secure Challenge Cup passage as Davy Litten scores hat-trick". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  29. ^ "Challenge Cup Fourth Round – Fixture Update". Hull F.C. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  30. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (18 March 2025). "Hull FC swoop for Wigan Warriors forward as fourth new signing completed". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  31. ^ "Hull FC agree two-year deal for Rhinos prop Lisone". BBC Sport. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  32. ^ Walker, Callum (28 August 2025). "Jake Arthur's move to Hull FC confirmed". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  33. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (9 September 2025). "Who is Joe Phillips? Meet Hull FC's seventh new signing for 2026". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Hull FC sign York Knights forward Bailey". BBC Sport. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  35. ^ a b "Hull FC sign Batchelor and Bell from St Helens". BBC Sport. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  36. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (18 September 2025). "Hull FC land French outside back in latest recruitment move". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  37. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (14 April 2026). "Hull FC sign Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman amid injury crisis". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  38. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (21 April 2026). "Hull FC sign second Leeds Rhinos player as Harry Newman status cleared". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  39. ^ Shaw, Matthew (10 May 2026). "Hull FC secure Leeds Rhinos duo on loan with Harry Newman recalled". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  40. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (4 August 2025). "Hull KR sign young Hull FC prop with immediate effect". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  41. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (5 September 2025). "Hull FC back Jordan Rapana makes retirement call as 'right decision' explained". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  42. ^ "Castleford sign Hull FC second rower Lane". BBC Sport. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  43. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (28 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers sign Jack Ashworth from Hull FC". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  44. ^ Gordon, James (5 October 2025). "Midlands Hurricanes add Hull FC forward to ranks". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  45. ^ "Charles crosses city to join Hull KR". BBC Sport. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  46. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (30 October 2025). "Bradford Bulls complete surprise deal for Hull FC forward". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  47. ^ Olawumi, Ben (5 January 2026). "Liam Watts lands Championship deal for 2026 following Hull FC release". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  48. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (9 January 2026). "Released Hull FC prop signs for Salford RLFC as phoenix squad builds". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  49. ^ Bower, Aaron (28 February 2026). "Liam Knight exits Hull FC to leave club with fresh quota dilemma". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  50. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (27 October 2025). "Hull FC hooker Denive Balmforth joins Super League newcomers in latest loan move". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  51. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (5 March 2026). "Hull FC young gun makes Championship loan switch with immediate effect". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  52. ^ a b Shaw, Matthew (6 March 2026). "Halifax Panthers secure loan additions from Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
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