Super League takes huge step with simple tweak as competition set for historic first

The fixtures for the 2025 Super League competition are out with just 84 days remaining until the big kick-off, but who's counting, right? Here, Rugby League Live looks at some talking points.

Scheduling tidy up

There was some welcome news to come with today's reveal, particularly the scheduling of the weekly rounds, which are now much more spread out and allowing more eyes on the games themselves.

A common frustration between fans and media alike last season was the number of clashes, especially on Friday nights, with sometimes three games all taking place at the same, or at least similar, times. That is no longer the case, with the games spread out from Thursday to Sunday for all but three rounds, one of which is the Magic Weekend.

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That will see each Super League round begin on Thursday night, with two games taking place on a Friday. Two games also follow back to back on Saturday, with one taking place on Sunday. This should increase TV viewership for each fixture but also enhance media coverage, something the sport is craving. Onwards and upwards, in that regard.

A typical Super League round

Game 1: Thursday 8 pm
Game 2: Friday 8 pm
Game 3: Friday 8 pm
Game 4: Saturday 3 pm
Game 5: Saturday 5:30 pm
Game 6: Sunday 3 pm

Split round

In a first for Super League, round 20 will be a split round, with the six games taking place over two weekends from July 24 to August 1. That will see three games commence from July 24-26 and then three more from July 31 to August 1.

This has been brought due to their being no mid-season international. There was speculation of a return for the old Yorkshire vs. Lancashire series, but that has been shot down. It is unclear what will happen for Shaun Wane and England, who look likely to host Australia in a mouth-watering three-match Ashes series next autumn.

The full round-20 schedule

Thursday 24 July - Wakefield Trinity vs Leeds Rhinos, 8pm

Friday 25 July - Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons, 8pm

Saturday 26 July, Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants, 3pm

Thursday 31 July, Salford Red Devils v Hull KR, 8pm

Friday 1 August, Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves, 8pm

Friday 1 August, St Helens v Castleford Tigers, 8pm

Super League's biggest fixtures

Is it Wigan and Saints or Hull and Rovers? Well, that depends where you're from, with the old rivals set to lock horns once again in Super League.

Both of the fixtures take centre stage in 'rivals round,' with Hull FC hosting Hull KR on Good Friday. Wigan then meet St Helens at the Brick Community Stadium.

The return tie sees the Robins host Hull at Craven Park in September, with Wigan also meeting St Helens again at the Totally Wicked Stadium in round 25.

Elsewhere, Wigan also host Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas come round three, along with the launch of the new NRL season, in what is set to be an incredible event.

Early Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup will be done and dusted before the midway point of the Super League season, with the final taking place at Wembley on Saturday 6 June. Before then, rounds take place in February, March, April, and May, with an early exit leaving clubs, who will face lower league opposition in the third round, with a bare start to the season.

Of course, Super League clubs will kickstart their 2025 seasons with a Challenge Cup tie against lower league opposition. This will be the third round of the competition and will see all topflight sides face away ties. The other rounds are as follows:

Round 3 | 8/9 February
Round 4 | 15/16 March
Quarter-Finals | 5/6 April
Semi-Finals | 10/11 May
Final | Saturday 6 June

Back with a bang?

Wakefield Trinity return to Super League in 2025 after being awarded a Grade A license from IMG. The Trin won the Championship treble last season and have recruited strongly. They kick off their return with a trip to Headingley to face Leeds Rhinos in round one, before hosting Hull KR in round two. They then host St Helens before hopping over the Pennines to take on Warrington Wolves. A tasty start to life back in the top flight for Daryl Powell's side.

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