The Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge is almost here as Leeds Rhinos take on Wakefield Trinity in the club's annual Boxing Day event at AMT Headingley, kick off 11.30am.

As the countdown to gameday continues, here are ten facts you maybe didn't know about our Boxing Day history:

1. The Boxing Day tradition began in 1895

Leeds’ first Boxing Day encounter under the Northern Union came in 1895, as they lost out 6-0 against Oldham at Headingley. It was in the middle of a spell of three consecutive defeats in as many days, having gone down at Liversedge on Christmas Day and then suffering a loss at home to Runcorn - a match which saw Loiners score their only try of the month. The losing streak was ended on New Years Day with a 3-0 win at Stockport.

2. One Boxing Day game since 2004 has been played at Wakefield's home ground

The Festive Challenge has been a staple fixture of Leeds' pre-season as the game was always been held at AMT Headingley.

That tradition was forced to change in 2017 as construction work on the new facilities at AMT Headingley saw the match moved to Wakefield's stadium for the first time since the side's met in in the Festive Challenge Friendly in 2004. A youthful Leeds side, which included Richie Myler and Brad Dwyer on their first Leeds appearances, came away with a 17-10 win thanks to tries from Brad Singleton, Jack Ormondroyd and Mikolaj Oledzki. Jordan Lilley secured the win with a drop goal too.  

3. Leeds haven't played a league fixture on Boxing Day since 1993

The last time Leeds and Wakefield met in a competitive fixture on the ‘Feast of Stephen’ was in 1993 when a crowd of around 14,500 witnessed tries by Francis Cummins, Jim Fallon, Garry Schofield and Alan Tait in a 20-16 Leeds win. Former Headingley star Mark Conway kicked four goals for Trinity in reply.

4. 19 new signings have played their first minutes for Leeds on Boxing Day in the last decade

Recent Boxing Day games have given Rhinos fans a chance to get a glimpse of some of the club's newest recruits ahead of the Super League season. Since 2015, 19 players have ran out in the Festive Challenge, kicking off with Keith Galloway and Beau Falloon.

Between 2019 and 2021 (excluding 2020 due to Covid), new half backs featured in every Boxing Day game. Richie Myler's move from Catalans saw the pivot run out for Leeds in the 2017 Boxing Day game, before Tongan Tui Lolohea appeared in blue and amber the following year. Luke Gale was the only new signing to appear on Boxing Day in 2019, plus Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer pulled on a Rhinos shirt for the first time in 2021.

The last two years has seen four new signings make their first impressions on the Headingley crowd, including last year when Lachie Miller, Matt Frawley, Andy Ackers and Mickael Goudemand featured. Will this year see all five new signings appear on the team sheet?

5. Eric Harris loved a try on Boxing Day

In the mid-thirties wing legend Eric Harris dominated the Boxing Day game; Batley the hapless victims. In 1934 he claimed a hat-trick, the next season a brace and in 1936 he found the whitewash four times as Leeds triumphed by a record 68-5.

6. One Boxing Day game has been abandoned

The only game to be abandoned on Boxing Day was in 1905 when Leeds were leading Bramley 7-6 at Headingley. The rematch in April the following year saw a resounding 28-2 home win for Leeds.

7. When Fulham came to Headingley...

Perhaps the most bizarre choice of Boxing Day opponents was in 1983 when Fulham made the journey north for a league match. The men from the capital were easily beaten 30-6 with dynamic kiwi hooker Trevor Clark grabbing his first try for the club.

8. In the summer era, only four teams have faced Leeds on Boxing Day

While Rhinos fans have been used to seeing the club face off against Wakefield in the Festive Challenge during pre-season, the club has actually played four different teams on Boxing Day since 1996. 

Halifax opened the contest in the inaugural friendly match in 1996, before Bradford took over in 1999. Castleford stepped up to take on Leeds between 2001 and 2003 (Leeds won all three matches) before Wakefield played their first Boxing Day game in 2004. Since then, Leeds have won twelve Festive Challenge's against Trinity, including two of the last three meetings.

9. 2011 saw the Boxing Day game moved to New Year's Day

2011's Boxing Day game was not actually played on the 26th December because of a frozen pitch. The club’s groundstaff worked tirelessly for ten days to try and beat the cold snap but unfortunately the conditions and the lack of availability of gas forced the club to postpone the game.

Instead, the matchwas played on New Year's Day, with the Rhinos winning 40-22 before Leeds Carnegie played an Aviva Premiership game against Gloucester straight after.

10. Leeds and Wakefield have only drawn once in the Festive Challenge

Dating back to 2013, nothing could split Leeds and Wakefield as the sides shared an 18-18 draw in the Boxing Day Friendly.

8,909 fans packed into AMT Headingley to watch a tight tussle, which got underway with Peter Fox scoring after 20 minutes. Zak Hardaker and Thomas Minns responded to give Leeds a foothold, but Matty Wildie gave the away fans hope with 20 minutes to go. Chris Clarkson and Jon Molloy exchanged tries for both sides in the closing stages as the score finished in a stalemate.

Get your Festive Challenge tickets now

The 2024 Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge is now on sale and promises to be a seasonal blast for the entire family. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk or over the phone on 0371 423 1315. 

Find out ticket prices and more at: https://www.therhinos.co.uk/ar...