The Rugby League community has once again shown its extraordinary generosity in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF), with the 2026 NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round raising $3.8 million in the fight against brain cancer. It brings the total funds raised from the round to $33.5 million since its inception in 2017.
In the 10th year of the annual themed round, stadiums across New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland were once again transformed into a sea of MHF beanies, with fans, players, clubs, volunteers and broadcasters uniting behind the cause.
Funding from this year’s round will contribute to the purchase of a new MRI-PET Imaging Machine that will accelerate discoveries, drive new drug development and help improve outcomes for people living with brain cancer. The MRI-PET imaging instruments are the first of their kind in Australia and are already making significant advances internationally.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the support of Rugby League fans has created a lasting impact, with funds raised through the 2026 Beanie for Brain Cancer Round helping support groundbreaking research infrastructure at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle.
“The Rugby League community has generously stepped up to continue the fight against brain cancer, bringing the total raised over the first decade of Beanie Round to $33.5 million.
“Every beanie purchased during this year’s Beanie Round will directly fund patient care and research capability that has the potential to take us one step closer to beating brain cancer.”
MHF Co-Founder, Mark Hughes, said the NRL Beanie Round continues to demonstrate the strength and heart of the Rugby League community.
“To see and experience what this round has become after ten years is something I’ll never take for granted.
“Brain cancer affects families from every walk of life, and the reality is the statistics haven’t changed enough — which is exactly why this support matters so much.
“Every beanie worn, every donation made and every kilometre walked sends a message of hope to people currently facing brain cancer and helps us continue funding research, supporting patients and driving change.
“We know people are doing it tough and there are so many causes asking for support, which makes what this community gives each year even more remarkable.
“To the fans, volunteers, clubs, players, partners, broadcasters and everyone who got behind the round — thank you. This is what rugby league does best. We show up for each other.”
One of the round’s signature events, The Big Three Trek, once again brought together an inspiring group of 85 trekkers who took on the 150-kilometre journey over three days from Sydney to Newcastle. The Big Three Trek has now raised more than $1.5 million for MHF.
Sportsbet also continued its support of the round, contributing $54,000 through its $1,000 per-try initiative across the round.
