Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty has struck a realistic tone ahead of the club's Super League return next month, acknowledging that it would be a "pretty incredible achievement" to avoid a bottom-three finish.

The Bulls ended their 11-year exile from the top tier last October when they were promoted alongside York Knights and Toulouse Olympique.

But the scale of the challenge, compounded by limited preparation time, is not lost on Haggerty.

"If any of the promoted teams do finish out of the bottom three, that would be a pretty incredible achievement," he said. "If we're one of those teams, I think it would be a pretty incredible achievement for us.

"But we certainly won't be earmarking games that we think we can win because if you prep that way, you'll never beat a big club. We'll be prepping to win every game."

Haggerty has overseen an extensive recruitment drive ahead of Bradford's first season back in the big time.

As many as 16 new signings have arrived at Odsal, including Joe Mellor, Loghan Lewis, Jayden Nikorima and Esan Marsters from Haggerty's former club Salford Red Devils.

Ebon Scurr and Sam Hallas are among the players who are making the step up with the Bulls after years of service in the Championship.

Kurt Haggerty is realistic about Bradford's 2026 prospects. (Photo: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Kurt Haggerty is realistic about Bradford's 2026 prospects. (Photo: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

While he has not ruled out further additions, Haggerty does not expect more arrivals before Bradford's opener at Hull FC on February 14.

"Right now, I wouldn’t say so," he said.

"That could change but we’re pretty steady at the moment and I'm happy with where the squad is at for round one.

"We've got a really good blend – we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth and we’ve got players with a point to prove.

Bradford have a different look to the team that finished third in the Championship last season. (Photo: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

"It's a really exciting challenge for us."

Bradford will blow away the cobwebs this weekend across two friendlies.

A youthful team will take on Dewsbury Rams on Saturday before a more senior squad heads to Doncaster the following day.

Haggerty, whose side travel to local rivals Leeds Rhinos for their final trial game on January 24, has so far avoided serious disruption to his 2026 plans.

"I think we'll be pretty much – hoping we come out of the friendlies well – at full strength for round one," he said.

"We've got a couple of knocks - Joe Mellor, Loghan Lewis and potentially Ebon Scurr, but none of them will miss round one. I'm hoping they'd be back for the Leeds game.

"I think because we're such a small squad, the majority, if not all, of our youngsters will play some role in the year. Even the lads not playing week-to-week, they're so important in adding to the group."