What's coming up for 2026 in Yorkshire sport?

1 week ago 2

From Premier League survival to a potential second golf major and a newly-appointed MBE looking to build on a sensational 12 months, there's a lot on the line for teams and sportsmen and women from across Yorkshire in 2026.

BBC Sport takes a look at how the land lies ahead of what promises to be another hugely eventful year.

Football

In the Premier League, survival is the name of the game for Leeds United and the Whites have boosted their chances of staying up with a great return of points through December. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been central to their upturn and the Sheffield-born player will hope his form can see him named in England's World Cup squad in the summer.

Survival of a different sort is on the minds of Sheffield Wednesday fans as they await a takeover after the club entered administration in October. Good news came to that end on Christmas Eve when the administrators confirmed they had a preferred bidder, but points deductions mean that they will be playing in League One next season.

Their Steel City rivals Sheffield United made a terrible start to the season but have improved in recent weeks. A run at the play-offs is still possible if they can put a winning run together quickly.

Hull City are in contention for a play-off berth in a congested second tier after a very impressive first half of the season under Sergej Jakirovic.

In League One, Bradford City are trying to secure back-to-back promotions after going up last season and are well-placed to secure a play-off spot or better.

Huddersfield and Barnsley will also hope to finish in the top six but face a real battle after inconsistent spells.

Rotherham and Doncaster will both be focused on picking up the points to move away from the relegation zone in League One, with both teams currently on wretched runs of form.

In League Two, Harrogate face a real battle to keep their Football League status under long-serving boss Simon Weaver. The Sulphurites ended 2025 at the bottom of the EFL.

Rugby league

Hull KR players and staff celebrate winning the Super League Grand Final

Reigning treble-winners Hull KR will have to go some to beat or even match their superb 2025.

They'll look to start the season with some silverware when they play NRL winners Brisbane Broncos in the Clash of the Champions at the MKM Stadium in February.

Later that same month the Robins will be flying over to Las Vegas to play Leeds Rhinos, who finished fourth in Super League last time out and will hope to kick on this year under Brad Arthur.

It will be the second Super League game to be played in the United States after Wigan Warriors defeated Warrington Wolves in Nevada in March.

Back in Yorkshire, Wakefield will be aiming to improve on their excellent sixth-placed showing in their first season back in Super League, while Hull FC will try to go at least one better than last year's seventh.

Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers endured tough campaigns in 2025 but there is renewed optimism at both after some off-field changes.

Speaking of optimism, Bradford Bulls will look to make a mark after being promoted back to Super League after a 10-year absence, while York Knights are in the top flight for the first time.

In the women's game, York Valkyrie and Leeds Rhinos will both be targeting stronger showings after falling in the play-off semi-finals last year.

Cricket

It was a challenging first year back in the top division of the County Championship for Yorkshire in 2025.

However, they safely avoided relegation and will now be looking to build under new captain Jonny Bairstow.

England batters Joe Root and Harry Brook will hopefully make a few appearances for the Headingley side between their numerous international commitments.

It's a huge year for the county's women's side as they move up to the game's Tier 1 status.

Richard Pyrah's side have added real quality with Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen and England leg-spinner Sarah Glenn.

Lots of other business

Keighley-born Ellie Kildunne starred on the pitch as England won the Women's Rugby Union World Cup, then subsequently finished second to Rory McIlroy in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year vote and, to top it all off, was appointed an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours. The full-back is in great form for club Harlequins and will aim to help the Red Roses retain their Six Nations crown in spring.

Sheffield golfer Matt Fitzpatrick enjoyed a stellar 2025, as he recorded his best-ever finish in The Open and played an integral role in Europe retaining the Ryder Cup in New York. The 31-year-old will hope to challenge for a second major win to add to his US Open success.

Wakefield's Charlie Manby has had a breakthrough PDC World Championship. How far can the 20-year-old bricklayer go in 2026?

Sheffield Steelers could not follow up their treble success in 2023-24 last season. The Steelers are well-placed to challenge for silverware this season.

Leeds Rhinos finished seventh in the eight-team netball Super League in 2025. Former England captain Geva Mentor retired at the end of last season but they will still be confident of a stronger showing when the new campaign starts in February.

From the court to the ring, Leeds boxer Josh Warrington will return to the limelight when he faces British featherweight rival Leigh Wood in February.

Big things are expected of 18-year-old York heavyweight Leo Atang and this looks set to be a key 12 months for him.

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