Tamika Upton goes back-to-back with 2026 Players’ Champion win

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is proud to announce Tamika Upton as the Players’ Champion for 2026, presented by Select Cards, as voted by NRLW players.

Upton becomes the first-ever two-time winner of The Players’ Champion from the NRLW, highlighting the respect she commands amongst the NRLW playing group. Across the NRL and NRLW, Upton is only the second player alongside Johnathan Thurston to win The Players’ Champion in back-to-back seasons.

She was announced as the Players’ Champion on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

Assuming the captaincy of the Brisbane Broncos and going into the season as defending Premiers, Upton was relentless from the very first round of the NRLW competition. Through 11 regular season games and two Finals games, Upton scored at least one try in all but two games, and set up at least one try in all but two games. There was not a single game for the Brisbane Broncos where Upton was not directly involved in a try.

Upton leads in the NRLW in try assists, linebreaks and linebreak assists (tied with Tarryn Aiken), and places in the top five for tries, tackle breaks, and total runs and average run metres.

The electric fullback was voted The Players’ Champion by rival players in a field of 48 Contenders, and voted ahead of the other four Finalists Jessica Sergis, Players’ Rookie of the Year Teagan Levi, Players’ Recruit of the Year Raecene McGregor, and Sienna Lofipo.

“On behalf of the RLPA, I would like to congratulate Tamika Upton on being voted the Players’ Champion for 2026,” said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA.

“To become the first-ever two-time winner of The Players’ Champion from the NRLW is a credit to Tamika and how consistent and incredible she has been throughout her career. Tamika has been the dominant NRLW fullback for many years now, and to be honoured by her peers in successive years just shows how respected she is by players.

“Tamika came into the 2026 season as the new sole-captain of the defending Premiers, and she has grabbed that added responsibility with both hands. She has been sensational all season with ball in hand, whether it be scoring tries or setting them up, or running teams into the ground like she loves to do.

“She has now played a huge role on the field and as the Broncos’ captain and leader in getting them to a second consecutive Grand Final to defend their 2025 Premiership.

“Not only does Tamika have the utmost respect amongst the playing group, I know she is hugely respected by the industry and fans for not just her abilities, but also her professionalism, and leadership on and off the field as a role model for our game.

“The strength of the elite talent in the NRLW means the Players’ Champion is a hotly contested field and very hard to win, let alone back-to-back like Tamika has done in 2025 and 2026.

“Tamika is a prodigious talent and excellent person who represents all the great things about the game of rugby league. Tamika, we are so grateful to have you as a player in rugby league, and even more grateful for the person and role model you are to other players and fans of the game.

“We proudly recognise Tamika Upton as the Players’ Champion for 2026.”

Tamika Upton the RLPA's Players' Champion from the NRLW — Tamika Upton the RLPA’s Players’ Champion from the NRLW

Tamika Upton Key Stats for 2026:

13 games
20 try assists (1^st in the league)
20 line breaks (1^st in the league)
20 line break assists (tied 1^st in the league)
15 tries (2^nd in the league)
62 tackle breaks (2^nd in the league)
204 runs (3^rd in the league)
Average of 157 running metres per game (4^th in the league)

How The Players’ Champion Is Awarded:

The Players’ Champion Contenders’ list is composed of four players from each club who are nominated to be eligible for The Players’ Champion individual award.
RLPA Delegates put forward four Contenders from their own teams.
In total, 48 Contenders are then eligible to receive Players’ Champion votes from their NRLW peers in the end-of-season poll.
Voting is open to all contracted NRLW players, with each player voting for opposition Contenders using a 3/2/1 format. Players cannot vote for their teammates.
Players are not penalised for any suspensions and/or fines received during the course of the season.
The player with the highest number of votes across all teams is awarded The Players’ Champion.