Super League will return to action in August with 21 games in 29 days and all of them will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Almost five months have passed without any matches due to the coronavirus pandemic, but rugby league fans will be able to get their fix when the top-flight season resumes on Sunday, 2 August with three matches.
Super League has announced the fixtures for the resumption of the 2020 season and August will see entire rounds played over Saturdays and Sundays, all of which will be screened exclusively live on Sky Sports.
The games will be played behind closed doors at neutral venues, with Leeds’ Emerald Headingley and the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens the two confirmed so far.
Headingley will host all games from August 2, before the competition moves across to St Helens for round nine, the weekend of 15-16 August, while the venues following that weekend are still to be confirmed.
Due the effects of the pandemic, Super League will look a little different when it returns, with the decision to make a few changes to the rules, mainly for health reasons, the most notable being that scrums will be replaced by tap restarts until at least the end of the season.
Commenting on rugby league’s return in the UK, Super League executive chairman, Robert Elstone said:
“The fixtures announcement finally brings the 2020 season back to life. We were really pleased to be able to confirm a restart date – but fans really want to know who their team is playing and when.
“It hasn’t been an easy process. We have needed the buy-in of our Clubs and support from Sky Sports and we’re delighted all parties have pulled together to allow us to announce our fixtures and provide the focus for the remainder of the 2020 season.
“It’s fantastic that all games in August will be live on Sky Sports. I’m also pleased to confirm that Sky Sports are supporting our efforts to explore other ways to bring as many games as possible into the homes of Super League fans.”
Looking ahead, August and September will see teams play one game a week, with the exception of Wakefield Trinity, Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos who will also play catch-up games.
Teams will be subject to a busier schedule throughout October and November, with eight rounds scheduled, including some midweek matches, with the anticipation spectators will be able return later in the year.
While there is still no confirmation on a date or venue for the Grand Final, both the play-off semi-finals and the showpiece event are planned to take place at the end of November.
Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster added:
“We’re delighted to see the return of Super League to Sky Sports and we have a fabulous selection of matches to kick-off the season with a bang.
“With 21 games in the first month alone, Sky customers who have been waiting patiently for the sport to come back can look forward to a feast of live games starting on 2 August.”
In June, Sky Sports reached a deal with Super League and the RFL over television revenue money for the 2020 season.
The three parties came to an agreement over broadcast revenues, recognising the huge disruption to the season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the significant impact it has had on Sky’s TV schedules.
Scroll down to see the full schedule of confirmed live Super League matches to come on Sky Sports in August.
As well as the live matches, the BBC will broadcast weekly free-to-air highlights on The Super League Show on Monday nights on BBC One (North) and Tuesday afternoons on BBC Two.
The RFL has also announced that the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup will resume at the sixth round stage on 22-23 August, while the final will be played on Saturday, 17 October at Wembley, with live coverage on the BBC.
Due to the current environment and the challenges COVID-19 presents, all dates of fixtures are subject to change depending on government advice.
UPDATE (20 July): Toronto Wolfpack have withdrawn from the remainder of the 2020 Super League season, citing the “overwhelming financial challenges” of the coronavirus crisis.
For a full list of all forthcoming major rugby league matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated rugby league TV listings page.
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SUNDAY 2nd AUGUST
St Helens v Catalans Dragons
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16:15 |
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Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos
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18:30 |
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SATURDAY 8th AUGUST
Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons
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16:15 |
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Warrington Wolves v Hull KR
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18:30 |
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SUNDAY 9th AUGUST
Salford Red Devils v Hull FC
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13:00 |
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Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors
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15:15 |
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Leeds Rhinos v St Helens
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18:30 |
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SATURDAY 15th AUGUST
Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves
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13:00 |
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Salford Red Devils v Catalans Dragons
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16:15 |
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Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
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18:30 |
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SUNDAY 16th AUGUST
St Helens v Wakefield Trinity
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13:00 |
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Hull FC v Castleford Tigers
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18:30 |
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SATURDAY 29th AUGUST
Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils
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13:00 |
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Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity
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18:30 |
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SUNDAY 30th AUGUST
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC
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13:00 |
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Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons
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15:15 |
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Hull KR v St Helens
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18:30 |
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