World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league competition between the winners of the Australian National Rugby League and the British Super League, for the de facto club world championship of the sport.
| Current season or competition: 2024 World Club Challenge | |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1976 |
| Inaugural season | 1976 |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Nations | Australia England France New Zealand Wales |
| World Champions | St Helens (2023) |
| Most titles | Sydney Roosters (5 titles) |
| Broadcast partner | Nine Network Sky Sport Sky Sports Channel 4 BBC Sport |
| Related competition | National Rugby League Super League World Club Series |
The first such match was played in 1976, although this was not an official competitive game. The first official World Club Challenge saw Widnes Vikings beat Canberra Raiders 30–18 at Old Trafford on 4 October 1989, after which it became a semi-regular fixture due to the 1990s Super League war. The competition has been held every year since 2000 (excluding 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
St Helens are the current champions, defeating Penrith Panthers 13–12 in 2023.
Sydney Roosters are the most successful Australian and National Rugby League side, having won the trophy five times. Wigan Warriors are the most successful European and Super League side, with 4 wins. Both St Helens and Leeds Rhinos have been runners up the most times, with four times each.