SUPER LEAGUE 2026: A RECORD-BREAKING SEASON OF ATTENDANCE, ENGAGEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT

The 2026 Betfred Super League season has delivered record-breaking attendances, unprecedented digital engagement and further evidence of rugby league’s position as the UK’s most high-octane sport. 

The regular campaign came to a close with a series of landmark figures across stadium crowds, digital platforms and on-field entertainment. 

More than 1.89 million fans attended regular-season fixtures in 2026, making it the highest-attended regular season in Super League history. 

The record-breaking campaign saw 1,894,082 fans attend matches across the campaign, with 11 rounds attracting more than 70,000 spectators. 

The Magic Weekend at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and in France, also set a new attendance record, with 82,925 fans attending across the two-day event, while Rivals Round and Rivals Returns attracted 163,823 supporters across its fixtures. 

The growth has extended well beyond the stadiums, with Super League social media channels recording their most viewed and engaged season to date. 

Across the 2026 season, Super League generated: 

• 362 million impressions– up 36% 
• 6.76 million engagements– up 23% 
• 201 million video views – up 45% 
• 1.08 million followers – up 20% 

The figures underline the growing appetite for Super League content and the continued expansion of the competition’s digital audience, with more fans engaging with the sport across social and digital platforms than ever before. 

The season has also reinforced Super League’s credentials as the UK’s most high-octane sport, with matches averaging 55% ball-in-play times – more than any of its main rivals - highlighting the pace, intensity and action that continues to define the competition. 

From record crowds and packed stadiums to huge digital audiences and some of the most spectacular action around, the 2026 season has demonstrated the strength and momentum of Super League. 

Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial said: “The 2026 Betfred Super League regular season has not disappointed as the statistics show. 

“And we are not finished yet with a mouth-watering Play-Off Series ahead, culminating with the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, which promises to be one of the biggest nights in the sporting calendar. 

“By that point, we will have surpassed two million attendees through the season for the first time in the competition’s history, another sign that Super League is going from strength to strength.” 

The Play-Off series gets underway tonight when Wakefield Trinity host Leigh Leopards in the opening eliminator (KO 8pm, live on Sky Sports), followed up by tomorrow’s second eliminator when Warrington Wolves take on champions Hull KR (KO 530pm, live on Sky Sports and BBC Sport).