Super League Round One fixtures revealed in Headingley opening feast - and Magic Weekend switched

EMERALD Headingley will host the Betfred Super League season opening over three successive days of action from March 26 to March 28 - with the Dacia Magic Weekend moved to September.
Super League is back up and running on March 26 at Emerald Headingley (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)Super League is back up and running on March 26 at Emerald Headingley (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)
Super League is back up and running on March 26 at Emerald Headingley (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)

The campaign - which will be over a shortened 25 rounds - will kick-off with six games in behind-closed-doors double-headers and all shown live on Sky Sports Arena.

The first game of new season sees a repeat of the 2019 Grand Final with reigning Champions St Helens facing last year’s Challenge Cup finalists Salford Red Devils on Friday March 26 in Leeds (6pm) before 2020 runners-up Wigan Warriors take on local rivals and newly promoted Leigh Centurions (8.15pm).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The following day, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos lock horns (3pm) before Catalans Dragons face Hull KR (5.15pm).

On the Sunday, new Hull FC head coach Brett Hodgson will start his reign against Huddersfield Giants - with whom he won Man of Steel in 2009 - at 12.30pm ahead of Castleford Tigers rounding off the weekend versus Warrington Wolves (2.45pm).

Following a meeting of the fixtures working group and their recommendations being agreed by the Super League Board, the competition has settled on a revised 25-game format.

The season finale, the Betfred Super League Grand Final will take place as originally scheduled at Old Trafford on Saturday, 9 October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The change in format is due to the two-week delay from the original March 11 start date announced in December.

There had been talk of scrapping Magic Weekend. That does remain does but due to on-going Covid-19 crowd restrictions at sporting events, the proposed date for the St James’ Park showpiece, has been moved from May to September 4-5.

Super League revealed on Tuesday that their executive chairman Robert Elstone had announced his intention to step down, barely a month before the season’s start.

He was not quoted on the official press release. Instead, chief commercial officer Rhodri Jones said: “With the start of the season a little over a month away, Super League would like to thank all our clubs, Sky Sports, our partners and the RFL for their tireless work in helping us make these announcements today.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We look forward to continuing to work together throughout the 2021 season to deliver what promises to be another fantastic season.”

“Confirmation that Dacia Magic Weekend remains an important part of the 2021 season shows our commitment to the event and thanks must go to Newcastle United in supporting us to achieve this.

“Whilst it is frustrating for all involved to not be welcoming fans back into our stadiums for the start of the season, we are hopeful that as the situation in the country continues to improve and the vaccine rollout nears completion, we will be seeing fans enjoying live sport again soon.

“We will continue to work with all of our stakeholders to ensure that we are ready to deliver the return of fans in a safe and secure way.”

Full fixtures will be announced on Friday February 26.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Super League club season ticket holders will also be able to watch their teams game via Our League and clubs will be in contact with details of how to access this ahead of the season.

Round 1, Emerald Headingley Stadium (all games live on Sky Sports Arena);

FRIDAY, 26 MARCH (both games live on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena)

ST HELENS v SALFORD RED DEVILS, 6pm

LEIGH CENTURIONS v WIGAN WARRIORS, 8.15pm

SATURDAY, 27 MARCH (both games live on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena)

WAKEFIELD TRINITY v LEEDS RHINOS, 3pm

CATALANS DRAGONS v HULL KR, 5.15pm

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

SUNDAY, 28 MARCH (both games live on Sky Sports Mix and Arena)

HULL FC v HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS, 12.30pm

CASTLEFORD TIGERS v WARRINGTON WOLVES, 2.45pm

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.