Champion Schools Finals return to Goole Vikings ahead of Magic Weekend 2026

Champion Schools finals return to Victoria Pleasure Grounds, home of Goole Vikings, for five consecutive finals in 2026 as schools from across the country prepare to compete for national Champion Schools titles.

The finals return to Goole following the Year 11 finals staged there in April, with Welsh representatives Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf among the schools involved.

Friday’s finals also follow the Year 9 Girls Champion Schools final at Castleford’s The One Bore Stadium on Tuesday 30th, where St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College claimed the title with a convincing 50-4 win over Liberty Academy.

2026 Finalists

• Year 8 Girls: Airedale Academy (Yorkshire) v St John Fisher High School (North West)
• Year 7 Girls: Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr (Wales) v Castleford Academy (Yorkshire)
• Year 10 Boys: Bedford High School (North West) v Liberty Academy (Yorkshire)
•  Year 9 Boys: Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (Wales) v Malet Lambert School (Yorkshire)
• Year 8 Boys: Rainford High School (North West) v Sirius Academy West (Yorkshire)

Airedale Academy return to the competition after reaching last year’s Year 7 Girls final and will now look to go one step further in the Year 8 Girls final. The Year 7 Girls final features two new finalists, with Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr taking on Castleford Academy in an anticipated match-up.

Bedford High School, last year’s Year 9 Boys champions, return in the Year 10 Boys final against Liberty Academy, while reigning Year 8 Boys champions Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf will aim to extend their winning run when they face Malet Lambert School.

Closing the finals day will be Year 8 Boys Rainford High School and Sirius Academy West.

Champion Schools action has one more stop before the 2026 season concludes, with the Year 10 Girls Champion Schools Final returning to Magic Weekend on Saturday 4 July 2026. St John Fisher CVA will face Liberty Academy on one of Rugby League’s biggest stages, marking the final’s first Magic Weekend appearance since 2023.

Tickets are available for advance purchase for Friday’s finals here.