Super League enjoys eye-catching Round One success

Betfred Super League is celebrating a bumper Round One week which saw record crowds, exhilarating action and all three promoted clubs quickly making their mark.

York Knights got off to a flying start with a stunning success in their first-ever Super League contest.

They bounced back from 18-6 down to beat champions Hull KR 19-18 in one of the most incredible results in the competition’s 30 year history.

Ecstatic York fans in a crowd of 8000 at an electric LNER Community Stadium, were left celebrating arguably the biggest night in the club’s proud history after Ata Hingano’s nerveless one-pointer.

Toulouse Olympique, back in Super League for the first time since 2022, produced a brilliant 18-16 win at Wakefield Trinity who provided a superb pre-match pyrotechnics show.

Bradford Bulls also returned to the elite after a 12-year absence and came close to winning at Hull FC before eventually being undone by the brilliance of one of their own sons – Will Pryce.

Across the whole round, clubs peaked at 90% overall attendance capacity as fans flocked to witness the start of the new campaign.

Amid that, Warrington Wolves put up the sold-out signs with their 15,064 crowd a record at the Halliwell Jones Stadium - their biggest home attendance in more than half a century.

They were treated to a terrific win over rivals St Helens, teenager Cai Taylor-Wray lighting up the night, his blistering pace leading to one magical solo try of his own and another searing break seeing Albert Hopoate cross.

At one point, the elusive full-back even topped speeds of 33 kph as he demonstrated just why he’s seen as one of the most exciting young talents in Super League.

The 16,653 attendance at MKM Stadium was Hull’s fourth biggest non- derby crowd of the summer era while there was also a significant turnout to see Leigh Leopards overcome Leeds Rhinos.

In other games, Castleford Tigers ran Wigan Warriors close for much of their fixture at a vibrant OneBore Stadium and almost 8,000 fans braved torrential rain as Catalans Dragons saw off Huddersfield Giants at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

RL Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones said: “Looking across all seven games of the opening round of Betfred Super League, there really was something for everyone.

“It was brilliant to savour the atmosphere at York Knights as they entered the competition for the first time and delivered so spectacularly both on and off the field in their front of their biggest-ever crowd at LNER Community Stadium.

“But there was drama, intrigue, excitement and action in all the games, which points to an enthralling season ahead.

“With big crowds across Round One, including a sell-out at Warrington when Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler paraded the World Darts Championship trophy, it was a great way to kick-off the new campaign.

“We’re swiftly on to some mouthwatering match-ups in Round Two.

“But, firstly, we see Super League and the NRL collide in Thursday’s much-anticipated Betfred World Club Challenge when Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos clash in front of almost 25,000 fans at the sold-out MKM Stadium.”

It was little surprise the Round One action performed digitally, too, final figures proving to be the third highest regular season round on record.

With 21.4M digital impressions (up 14% on Round One last year), 432K engagements (up 5%) and 13.8M video views  (up 82%), Super League had impact.

And, remarkably, from a total of more than 9,000 players, just one correctly predicted the winner of all seven games in the Super League Predictor while  Super League’s Fantasy League has seen an increase of 38% in unique players compared to 2025.

Betfred World Club Challenge

Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos, Thursday 7.30pm

Betfred Super League - Round 2

Bradford Bull v Catalans Dragons, Friday 8pm

Leeds Rhinos v York RLFC, Friday 8pm

St Helens v Leigh Leopards, Friday 8pm

Toulouse Olympique v Castleford Tigers, Saturday 7pm

Wigan Warriors v Hull FC, Saturday 8pm

Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity, Sunday 3pm