2026 Castleford Tigers season

2026 Castleford Tigers season
Super League rank10th
Challenge CupFourth round
2026 recordWins: 2; draws: 0; losses: 4
Points scoredFor: 88; against: 112
Team information
ChairmanMartin Jepson
Head coachRyan Carr
Captain
StadiumWheldon Road
Avg. attendance7,182
Agg. attendance14,364
High attendance8,259
Low attendance6,105
Top scorers
TriesAshton Golding,
Liam Hood,
George Lawler,
Jason Qareqare,
Mikaele Ravalawa &
Tom Weaver (2)
GoalsTom Weaver (12)
PointsTom Weaver (32)
← 2025 List of seasons 2027 →

The 2026 season is the Castleford Tigers' 101st season in the Rugby Football League and their 19th consecutive season in the top flight of English rugby league. The club are competing in the 2026 Super League and the 2026 Challenge Cup.

This is Castleford's first season under Ryan Carr as head coach, and the team is captained by Alex Mellor.

Kits

Supplier: Oxen
Main sponsor: CBR Engineering

Home
Away
Third

First-team squad

2026 Castleford Tigers squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

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


Transfers and loans

Transfers in

No Player From Contract Date Ref.
14 Brock Greacen Newcastle Knights 2 years 31 July 2025 [1]
1 Blake Taaffe Canterbury Bulldogs 3 years 25 August 2025 [2]
5 Mikaele Ravalawa St George Illawarra 3 years 29 August 2025 [3]
2 Semi Valemei North Queensland Cowboys 2 years 2 September 2025 [4]
11 Jordan Lane Hull FC 4 years 10 September 2025 [5]
15 Jack Ashworth Hull FC 2 years 27 September 2025 [6]
8 Renouf Atoni Wakefield Trinity 2 years 29 September 2025 [7]
9 Liam Hood Wakefield Trinity 1 year[a] 2 October 2025 [8]
4 Darnell McIntosh Leigh Leopards 2 years 13 October 2025 [9]
7 Tom Weaver Gold Coast Titans 2 years 24 October 2025 [10]
20 Aiden Doolan Barrow Raiders 2 years 12 November 2025 [11]
30 Jimmy Beckett Featherstone Rovers 1 year 5 January 2026 [12]
23 Krystian Mapapalangi Wests Tigers 2 years 22 January 2026 [13]
31 Ashton Golding Huddersfield Giants ½ year 18 February 2026 [14]
32 George Hirst Wigan Warriors 2½ years 10 March 2026 [15]

Loans in

No Player From Loan type Arrival Return Ref.
32 George Hirst Wigan Warriors One-month 16 February 2026 Permanent[b] [16]

Transfers out

No Player To Contract Date Ref.
41 Tom Amone Hull Kingston Rovers 3 years 15 April 2025 [17]
15 George Griffin Sheffield Eagles 2 years 5 September 2025 [18][19]
24 Josh Simm Catalans Dragons 2 years 6 September 2025 [20]
11 Jeremiah Simbiken London Broncos 1 year 11 September 2025 [21][22]
25 Will Tate Wakefield Trinity 1 year 15 September 2025 [23][24]
18 Josh Hodson Sheffield Eagles 2 years 15 September 2025 [25][26]
17 Luke Hooley Bradford Bulls 2 years 23 September 2025 [27]
4 Sam Wood York Knights 1 year 27 September 2025 [28][29]
5 Innes Senior Leigh Leopards 2 years 9 October 2025 [30][31]
20 Muizz Mustapha Doncaster R.L.F.C. 2 years 10 October 2025 [32][33]
9 Liam Horne Leigh Leopards 3 years 24 October 2025 [34]
1 Tex Hoy Manly Sea Eagles 1 year 22 November 2025 [35][36]
44 Andy Djeukessi Newcastle Thunder 1 year 24 December 2025 [37]
17 Chris Atkin Bradford Bulls ½ year 18 March 2026 [38]

Loans out

No Player To Loan type Departure Return Ref.
20 Aiden Doolan Barrow Raiders Season-long 15 January 2026 19 March 2026 [39][40]
— Akim Matvejev Batley Bulldogs Season-long 28 January 2026 Ongoing [41]
28 George Hill Keighley Cougars Season-long 30 January 2026 Ongoing [42]
— Alfie Salmon Keighley Cougars Season-long 13 February 2026 Ongoing [43]
24 Jenson Windley Salford RLFC One-week, rolling 26 February 2026 19 March 2026 [44][40]
26 Alfie Lindsey Halifax Panthers One-week, rolling 5 March 2026 Ongoing [45]
  1. ^ With an option for a further year
  2. ^ The deal was made permanent on 10 March 2026

Pre-season friendlies

Castleford announced pre-season fixtures against Featherstone Rovers, Oldham, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens.[46] The Leeds fixture served as a testimonial match for Brad Singleton, and the St Helens match for Matty Lees.[47] The Featherstone friendly was cancelled after the opponents entered administration in December.[48] Castleford had additionally planned to attend a pre-season training camp in Spain and play Oldham as part of the Benidorm Bash rugby league festival, however the event was cancelled by the organisers.[49] The fixture was rearranged to Wheldon Road, although was later postponed due to a frozen pitch.[50]

Sat 27 December Castleford Tigers P–P[a] Featherstone Rovers Castleford
13:30 GMT
 LRL Report
Stadium: Wheldon Road
Sat 10 January[b] Castleford Tigers P–P[c] Oldham Castleford
15:00 GMT
 YEP Report
Stadium: Wheldon Road
Sun 18 January[d] Castleford Tigers 26–10 Leeds Rhinos Castleford
15:00 GMT
 Tries:
Grice  29'
Windley  35'
Sharpe  65'
Coughlan  69'
Beedle  71'
Goals:
Rooney (3/4)  30', 36', 72'
Singleton (0/1)
 YEP Report
Tries:
Richardson  11'
Brown  42'
Goals:
Thomas (1/2)  43'
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Referee: Tom Grant
Sat 24 January[e] St Helens 40–10 Castleford Tigers St Helens
15:00 GMT
 Tries:
Macdonald  13'
Robertson  18'
Cross  27'
Wright  52', 63'
Murphy  74'
Sailor  78'
Goals:
Hastings (4/5)  14', 19', 53', 64'
Sailor (1/1)  75'
Whitby (1/1)  79'
 TRL Report
Tries:
Ravalawa  39', 69'
Goals:
Weaver (1/2)  40'
 Stadium: BrewDog Stadium
Attendance: 5,422
Referee: Jack Smith
  1. ^ Postponed due to Featherstone entering administration
  2. ^ Originally intended to be played at the Benidorm Bash in Spain; rearranged following the event's cancellation
  3. ^ Postponed due to frozen pitch
  4. ^ Brad Singleton's testimonial match
  5. ^ Matty Lees' testimonial match

Super League

Main article: 2026 Super League season

In November 2025, in the days prior to the Super League fixture release, clubs revealed their schedules for the opening round, Rivals Round, and the Magic Weekend.[51] On 27 November, the full Super League fixture list was announced.[52]

Results

Round 1: Sun 15 February Castleford Tigers 16–26 Wigan Warriors Castleford
15:00 GMT
 Tries:
Hood  8'
Ravalawa  69'
Lawler  80'
Goals:
Weaver (2/3)  9', 80'
 BBC Report
Sky Report
Tries:
Marshall  33'
French  38'
Eckersley  42', 60'
Wardle  65'
Goals:
Keighran (3/5)  40', 62', 67'
Sin bin:
Keighran 71' to 80'
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Attendance: 8,259
Referee: Jack Smith
Round 2: Sat 21 February Toulouse Olympique 24–12 Castleford Tigers Toulouse
19:00 CET
 Tries:
Jussaume  3'
Rennie  17', 63'
Laguerre  49'
Goals:
Rougé (4/5)  19', 51', 64', 74 (p)'
 BBC Report
Sky Report
Tries:
Mapapalangi  9'
Qareqare  26'
Goals:
Weaver (2/3)  10', 36 (p)'
Sin bin:
Atkin 74' to 80'
 Stadium: Stade Ernest-Wallon
Attendance: 5,176
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Round 3: Fri 27 February Castleford Tigers 34–8 Huddersfield Giants Castleford
20:00 GMT
 Tries:
Hood  6'
McIntosh  20'
Lawler  26'
Weaver  48', 67'
Golding  75'
Goals:
Weaver (5/6)  8', 27', 49', 68', 76'
 BBC Report
Sky Report
Tries:
Gagai  38'
Flanagan  52'
Goals:
Flanagan (0/2)
Sin bin:
Milne 25' to 35'
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Attendance: 6,105
Referee: Matty Lynn
Round 4: Sun 8 March Leeds Rhinos 22–4 Castleford Tigers Leeds
15:00 GMT
 Tries:
Brown  11'
Sivo  29', 46', 54'
Goals:
Connor (3/4)  12', 47', 55'
 BBC Report
Sky Report
Tries:
Ravalawa  18'
Goals:
Weaver (0/1)
 Stadium: Headingley Rugby Stadium
Attendance: 15,301
Referee: James Vella
Round 5: Sat 21 March Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers Warrington
15:00 GMT
 Stadium: Halliwell Jones Stadium
Round 6: Thu 26 March Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls Castleford
20:00 GMT
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 7: Sun 5 April Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity Castleford
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 8: Sun 19 April Wigan Warriors v Castleford Tigers Wigan
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
Round 9: Fri 24 April Castleford Tigers v Hull FC Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 10: Thu 30 April Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers Kingston upon Hull
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Craven Park
Round 11: Sat 16 May York Knights v Castleford Tigers York
15:00 BST
 Stadium: York Community Stadium
Round 12: Sat 23 May Castleford Tigers v St Helens Castleford
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 13: Fri 5 June Castleford Tigers v Leigh Leopards Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 14: Sat 13 June Catalans Dragons v Castleford Tigers Perpignan
19:00 CEST
 Stadium: Stade Gilbert Brutus
Round 15: Sat 20 June Castleford Tigers v Toulouse Olympique Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 16: Fri 26 June Castleford Tigers v York Knights Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 17: Sun 5 July Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers Liverpool
TBC
 Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium
Round 18: Sat 11 July Leigh Leopards v Castleford Tigers Leigh
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Round 19: Sun 19 July Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos Castleford
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 20: Fri 24 July Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers Wakefield
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Belle Vue
Round 21: Sat 1 August Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves Castleford
15:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 22: Fri 7 August Castleford Tigers v Hull Kingston Rovers Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 23: Fri 14 August Hull FC v Castleford Tigers Kingston upon Hull
20:00 BST
 Stadium: MKM Stadium
Round 24: Sat 22 August St Helens v Castleford Tigers St Helens
15:00 BST
 Stadium: BrewDog Stadium
Round 25: Fri 28 August Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons Castleford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Round 26: Thu 3 September Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers Bradford
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Odsal Stadium
Round 27: Fri 11 September Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers Huddersfield
20:00 BST
 Stadium: Kirklees Stadium

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Wigan Warriors 5 5 0 0 173 60 +113 10 Advance to Semi-finals
2 St Helens 5 4 0 1 126 84 +42 8
3 Leeds Rhinos 4 3 0 1 140 50 +90 6 Advance to Eliminators
4 Bradford Bulls 5 3 0 2 114 83 +31 6
5 Warrington Wolves[a] 3 3 0 0 89 60 +29 6
6 Wakefield Trinity 5 3 0 2 82 85 −3 6
7 Catalans Dragons 4 2 0 2 62 90 −28 4
8 Toulouse Olympique 5 2 0 3 80 112 −32 4
9 York Knights 5 2 0 3 102 141 −39 4
10 Castleford Tigers 4 1 0 3 66 80 −14 2
11 Hull F.C. 4 1 0 3 59 85 −26 2
12 Hull KR[a] 3 1 0 2 56 83 −27 2
13 Leigh Leopards 5 1 0 4 74 128 −54 2
14 Huddersfield Giants 5 0 0 5 54 136 −82 0 Relegated to Championship
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2026. Source: [1]
Notes:
  1. ^ a b A Round 2 fixture between Hull Kingston Rovers and Warrington Wolves is to be rearranged later in the season due to the former's World Club Challenge commitments.[53]

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2026 Challenge Cup

Castleford entered the 2026 Challenge Cup in the third round, scheduled to be played in early February prior to the start of the Super League season. As a top flight club, they were guaranteed an away tie against non-Super League opposition.[54] In the third-round draw on 12 January, Castleford were selected to face the winners of the second-round tie between Doncaster and Newcastle Thunder.[55] They were drawn to play St Helens at home in the fourth round.[56]

Third round: Sat 7 February Doncaster 0–14 Castleford Tigers Doncaster
14:00 GMT
 Sin bin:
Gwaze 36' to 46'
 BBC Report
YP Report
Tries:
Stimson  23'
Taaffe  50'
Goals:
Weaver (3/3)  24', 51', 66 (p)'
 Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,537
Referee: Tom Grant
Fourth round: Sat 14 March Castleford Tigers 8–32 St Helens Castleford
18:00 GMT
 Tries:
Qareqare  47'
Golding  76'
Goals:
Weaver (0/2)
 BBC Report
Tries:
Clark  5'
Murphy  7', 67'
Percival  31'
Paasi  72'
Feldt  78'
Goals:
Hastings (3/5)  6', 8', 73'
Sailor (1/2)  80 (p)'
Sin bin:
Feldt 47' to 57'
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
Referee: Aaron Moore

References

  1. ^ "Castleford sign prop Greacen on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  2. ^ Olawumi, Ben (25 August 2025). "Castleford Tigers swoop to sign NRL playmaker as long-term contract revealed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Ravalawa joins Cas on three-year deal". BBC Sport. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Castleford sign Fiji winger Valemei". BBC Sport. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Castleford sign Hull FC second rower Lane". BBC Sport. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  6. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (28 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers sign Jack Ashworth from Hull FC". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Castleford sign Kiwi forward Atoni from Wakefield". BBC Sport. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Castleford sign hooker Hood from Wakefield". BBC Sport. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Tigers bring in winger McIntosh from Leigh". BBC Sport. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Castleford sign Gold Coast half-back Weaver". BBC Sport. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  11. ^ "Castleford bring in hooker Doolan". BBC Sport. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  12. ^ McAllister, Josh (5 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers secure transfer target as Ryan Carr adds depth to pack". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Castleford sign Wests Tigers centre Mapapalangi". BBC Sport. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  14. ^ "Castleford Tigers sign full-back Golding". BBC Sport. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Castleford sign Wigan forward Hirst after loan". BBC Sport. 10 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Castleford sign Wigan forward Hirst on loan". BBC Sport. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  17. ^ "Hull KR sign Amone for 2026 after Castleford spell". BBC Sport. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  18. ^ Olawumi, Ben (5 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers coach confirms decision on off-contract stalwart's future following Wakefield win". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  19. ^ Smith, Peter (16 October 2025). "Ex-Castleford Tigers man George Griffin reunites with coach after finding new club". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  20. ^ Olawumi, Ben (6 September 2025). "Off-contract Castleford Tigers star seals cross-Super League switch for 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  21. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (11 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers coach confirms overseas star's exit as Sam Wood link to Hull FC addressed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  22. ^ Brocksom, Sam (26 November 2025). "London Broncos unveil latest signing as released Castleford Tigers man joins". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  23. ^ Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (15 September 2025). "It was also a chance to say goodbye to some of the lads who will be leaving us at the end of the season" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 September 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  24. ^ "Wakefield sign Castleford outside back Tate". BBC Sport. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  25. ^ Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (15 September 2025). "To all the executive partners and sponsors a massive thank you for your support this season, let's make 2026 one of the best yet" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 September 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  26. ^ Olawumi, Ben (15 October 2025). "Released Castleford Tigers star seals Championship switch ahead of 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  27. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (23 September 2025). "'I have a lot to prove': Luke Hooley signs permanent Bradford Bulls deal". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  28. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (27 September 2025). "Castleford Tigers release England centre Sam Wood". TotalRL. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  29. ^ Kennedy, Emma (13 October 2025). "York Knights sign centre Sam Wood from Castleford Tigers". The York Press. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  30. ^ Olawumi, Ben (9 October 2025). "Castleford Tigers star secures release ahead of cross-Super League switch". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  31. ^ "Winger Senior signs two-year deal with Leigh". BBC Sport. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  32. ^ "Prop Mustapha released by Castleford". BBC Sport. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  33. ^ Olawumi, Ben (26 October 2025). "Released Castleford Tigers prop lands new club as length of Championship deal confirmed". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  34. ^ "Leigh sign Castleford forward Horne". BBC Sport. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  35. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (22 November 2025). "Castleford Tigers confirm Tex Hoy exit". TotalRL. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  36. ^ Olawumi, Ben (3 February 2026). "Tex Hoy's NRL return confirmed as ex-Hull FC and Castleford ace labelled 'quality player'". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  37. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (24 December 2025). "Newcastle Thunder sign young Castleford Tigers winger". TotalRL. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  38. ^ Atkinson, Nathan (18 March 2026). "Bradford Bulls sign Chris Atkin from Castleford Tigers". The Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  39. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (15 January 2026). "New Castleford Tigers signing joins Championship club on season-long loan". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  40. ^ a b "Team news: Warrington Wolves (A)". Castleford Tigers. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  41. ^ Olawumi, Ben (28 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers young gun seals season-long Championship switch for 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  42. ^ Chapman Coombe, Louis (30 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers youngster makes Championship loan switch for 2026". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  43. ^ Atkinson, Nathan (14 February 2026). "Keighley Cougars welcome on-loan Castleford Tigers youngster". The Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  44. ^ Olawumi, Ben (27 February 2026). "Salford RLFC snap up Castleford Tigers young gun as loan terms outlined". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  45. ^ Shaw, Matthew (6 March 2026). "Halifax Panthers secure loan additions from Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  46. ^ Walker, Callum (23 December 2025). "Castleford Tigers announce three pre-season friendlies". TotalRL. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  47. ^ Olawumi, Ben (3 January 2026). "2026 rugby league pre-season friendlies including dates, times and venues". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  48. ^ Olawumi, Ben (10 December 2025). "Castleford Tigers postpone Featherstone friendly as Rovers file for administration". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  49. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (5 December 2025). "Organisers blamed as Castleford Tigers-Oldham Benidorm Bash cancelled". TotalRL. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  50. ^ Smith, Peter (8 January 2026). "Castleford Tigers news: Oldham game called off for safety reasons after pitch hit by big freeze". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  51. ^ "Super League fixtures: Champions Hull KR to visit newly-promoted York Knights on opening night with Rivals Round also revealed". Sky Sports. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  52. ^ "2026 Fixtures released". Super League. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  53. ^ "Full 2026 fixtures released". Warrington Wolves. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2026. Our Round 2 away fixture against Hull KR will be played later on in the season as the Robins' compete in the World Club Challenge that weekend.
  54. ^ Olawumi, Ben (18 November 2025). "2026 Challenge Cup round dates revealed in full as calendar takes shape". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  55. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round Draw". RFL. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  56. ^ "Hull KR visit Huddersfield in Challenge Cup fourth round". BBC Sport. 9 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
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