CEO reveals status of World Club Challenge for Broncos after Panthers' refusal to play

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has revealed they're planning for the Broncos to play the World Club Challenge despite concerns the concept is dead and buried. Late last year, the Penrith Panthers made a controversial decision to withdraw from the traditional clash between the champions of the NRL and winners of the UK Super League.

With the game set to take place in February this year, the Panthers said they wouldn't have enough of a pre-season before having to fly to Las Vegas for the opening game of 2025. The withdrawal completely divided the NRL world, and the Panthers' refusal to play sparked concerns the concept would be abandoned for good.

But speaking on ABC radio this week, Abdo said that's not the case and the NRL are keen for the Broncos to take on the Super League champions at some stage next year. "We’ll wait and see who wins both competitions and then work with the RFL (Rugby Football League) to facilitate that," Abdo said.

"In terms of when it’s played and where it’s played, we wait until we have both winners and work with both clubs. The World Club Challenge is pretty important to the game and quite unique and it’s definitely something we’ll work with the clubs on."

World Club Challenge might be played in Australia

Wigan Warriors are the current World Club champions are beating the Panthers 16-12 the last time the game was played in early 2024. Wigan are once again in the Super League grand final this weekend, where they'll take on Hull KR.

Complicating matters is the fact Hull KR are scheduled to play in Vegas in 2026 when the NRL holds it's opening round there again. The Broncos aren't one of the four teams heading to Vegas next year, and Wigan won't be there this time either.

Wigan were willing to play the World Club Challenge at the start of this year despite heading to Vegas not long after. It was only the Panthers who held concerns about what it would mean for their players with the extra travel, with the WCC supposed to be played in England.

If Hull beat Wigan in the Super League decider, it might mean the Broncos have to travel to England for the World Club Challenge. But if it's the Warriors who win the Super League title again, they're likely to be more willing to head Down Under to face Brisbane.

Could the World Club Challenge be played in Magic Round?

The last NRL team to win the World Club Challenge was the Sydney Roosters in 2020 after they won the 2019 premiership. The game wasn't played in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19, before the Panthers lost at home to St Helens in 2023. Penrith then travelled to the UK for the fixture in 2024, but lost to Wigan.

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Speaking earlier this year, Panthers star Nathan Cleary suggested the WCC could be played during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium. Wigan CEO Kris Radlinski later said: "If there’s a way we can make this work, we’d love to play at Magic Round.

“It will be a logistical challenge, but I’ve always said playing rugby league is a privilege. If you asked any retired player, ‘Would you turn down a game like that?’ they’d all tell you ‘not a chance’. This is why you play the game."

It didn't eventuate this year, but time will tell when and where the World Club Challenge is held in 2026. Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher had said: "They're not robots and the welfare of the player comes before anything."

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