Betfred Championship will have a new home from 2022 as Premier Sports returns to covering the second tier of English rugby league with weekly live matches.
Under a new deal with the Rugby Football League (RFL), Premier Sports will provide live and exclusive coverage from the start of the season in early 2022 to the Play-offs in the autumn.
Premier Sports will also show the ‘Million Pound Game’ and every match of the Championship’s Summer Bash, which all 14 clubs in a single venue on the same weekend, taking
With one game from every regular round of the season , it means more than 30 Betfred Championship fixtures will be shown live on Premier Sports.
In addition, the deal also includes secondary rights to the Betfred Challenge Cup, with seven live ties from the competition to shown through the spring, including two of the quarter-finals.
Premier Sports’ live Championship matches will be shown in a regular Monday night slot, which will include an extended 45-minute build-up to allow reflection and analysis on the weekend’s action.
The deal marks the return of the RFU Championship to Premier Sports, with the pay-TV broadcaster having covered regular live matches between 2012 and 2013, as well as Toronto Wolfpack’s matches in the division in 2017 and 2018.
Michael O’Rourke, Premier Sports founder and joint CEO, said:
“We are delighted to be covering the Rugby League Championship once again and taking coverage to another level with the pick of each round’s fixtures on a Monday night. We look forward to bringing viewers a terrific line-up of top presenters and pundits to review each weekend’s talking points before showcasing the game of the round live.
“We believe this, alongside Challenge Cup matches, the Summer Bash and the Million Pound Game, will come together to make a really strong offering for Rugby League supporters.”
Premier Sports opening live matches in 2022 will feature a dozen of the Championship’s 14 clubs during a period stretching from the 31 January opener between York City Knights and Featherstone Rovers, to the 23 May clash between Sheffield Eagles and Widnes Vikings, with 11 of the 12 fixtures will take place on a Monday night.
Games selected include the round three blockbuster between Leigh Centurions and Bradford Bulls on Monday February 14, and the return of the West Cumbrian derby between Whitehaven and Workington Town on Easter Sunday.
The bulk of the Easter programme is scheduled for Good Friday, renewing old local rivalries between Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams, Bradford Bulls and Halifax Panthers, and Widnes Vikings and Leigh Centurions – while in Betfred League 1, Rochdale Hornets will play Oldham.
Ralph Rimmer, the RFL Chief Executive, said:
“This is such an exciting and positive announcement for the Betfred Championship clubs, and for the sport as a whole. Premier Sports have been excellent partners for the sport in the past, with their coverage of the Championship and also the 2013 World Cup, and it’s great to have them back in Rugby League.
“They played a key role in pioneering Thursday night Rugby League, and now we will be working with all our clubs to ensure the success of regular Monday night matches – which provide the Championship with a fantastic platform.
“I know Premier Sports have exciting plans to offer special subscription incentives for season ticket holders from the Betfred Championship clubs. One of the highlights of the 2021 season has been the re-emergence of the Betfred Championship and League 1 competitions after the disruption caused by the pandemic in 2020.
“We’ve seen again the quality of players on the field and the passion of the supporters off it. The competition promises to be even more exciting in 2022 with the involvement of so many proud and ambitious clubs – and with Premier Sports following it all the way.”
Details of Premier Sports’ confirmed live Betfred Championship matches can be found below.
For a full list of all forthcoming major rugby league matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated rugby league on TV listings page.
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MONDAY 31st JANUARY
York City Knights v Featherstone Rovers
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 7th FEBRUARY
Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 14th FEBRUARY
Leigh Centurions v Bradford Bulls
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 21st FEBRUARY
Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings
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19:45 |
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26-27 FEBRUARY
Betfred Challenge Cup
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MONDAY 7th MARCH
Widnes Vikings v Barrow Raiders
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19:45 |
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12-13 MARCH
Betfred Challenge Cup
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MONDAY 21st MARCH
Halifax Panthers v Leigh Centurions
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19:45 |
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26-27 MARCH
Betfred Challenge Cup
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MONDAY 4th APRIL
Newcastle Thunder v Widnes Vikings
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19:45 |
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9-10 APRIL
Betfred Challenge Cup
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SUNDAY 17th APRIL
Whitehaven v Workington Town
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19:00 |
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MONDAY 25th APRIL
Bradford Bulls v Featherstone Rovers
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 2nd MAY
Barrow Raiders v York City Knights
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 16th MAY
Batley Bulldogs v Leigh Centurions
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19:45 |
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MONDAY 23rd MAY
Sheffield Eagles v Widnes Vikings
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19:45 |
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30-31 JULY
Betfred Championship
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19:45 |
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MORE LIVE FIXTURES TO BE CONFIRMED…
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