Super League looking at ways to tackle scheduling issue after heavy criticism
Super League organisers are looking at ways to tackle the competition's heavily criticised scheduling issues this year, with a focus on reducing the number of kick-off clashes. Rugby League Live can reveal that discussions are currently taking place with clubs to try and find a solution to one of the more irritating aspects of the 2024 campaign.
Supporters were regularly critical of the competition's scheduling. In some instances, games only took place across two days, and there were several games taking place at the same time, most notably on Friday evenings.
For supporters, it prevented them from being able to watch every game live, but the impact was also felt by the broadcasters. Figures from across the season have proven that Sky Sports' feature games attracted smaller viewing figures when they clashed with other games, and as a consequence, they are also keen for games to be better spread out across the weekend.
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As a result, there is an appetite to better manage fixtures next season, and Rugby League Live understands that the primary objective at this point is to ensure game weeks take place across four days: Thursday through Sunday. There have even been discussions about ensuring all six games have stand-alone kick-off times, though it has been accepted that there are logistical challenges that come with that.
However, the hope is that at least one match will take place each day, with one of the more likely outcomes being two matches on a Friday and two on a Saturday.
Ensuring games are better spread out is seen as ideal to enhance television audience figures but also to ensure the competition attracts more coverage for longer during the week at a national level. Beyond that, better scheduling will also allow rugby league's dedicated media to provide more extensive coverage of each game.
While the direction of travel makes sense in theory, logistically, it's harder to implement. The majority of Super League clubs prefer to play on Friday nights and have business models built around that being the case. There are concerns that moving away from their regular slots could have a derogatory impact on attendance, with their supporters becoming familiar with Friday evening matches. For some clubs, stadium availability is also an issue as they share facilities with football clubs that regularly play on a Saturday afternoon.
As a result, organisers are working through all possible options to find a solution that works for the broadcaster, supporters, and clubs, with the matter of particular importance at the minute given the Super League fixtures for the 2025 season are due to be released in three weeks. While nothing has been finalised as of yet, it is anticipated that there will be fewer fixture clashes next year.
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