The Betfred Championship is back for 2025!
Who will be crowned Championship champions? Will the race to the top six go down to the wire once more? How will fresh faces Oldham and Hunslet get on? And who will be fighting for their lives in this year’s brand new ‘Super Eights’ competition?
Could we see one of the most exciting seasons yet?
Last season highlighted that anyone could beat anyone on their day, and the opening round will kick off with a bang with a mouthwatering clash between Toulouse Olympique and Widnes Vikings at Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday. Both were top six sides last year and will be looking to reiterate this in 2025.
The French side had excellent home form last season, losing only two matches in the south of France.
Sylvain Houles’ men have also been Championship Grand Finalists for two consecutive years but were defeated by London Broncos and Wakefield Trinity on both occasions.
Can they be third time lucky and go one step further this time around?
In 2024, Toulouse completed the double over the Vikings, although it was an extremely close contest in their reverse fixture. So, who will take the spoils in Round 1?
Then, expect a fiery encounter when Barrow Raiders host newcomers Hunslet on Sunday.
The Raiders managed to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth last year, whilst Hunslet were promoted in emphatic fashion with a 20-22 victory over Swinton Lions in the Promotion Play-Off Final.
Barrow have won their last 16 home meetings with Hunslet in history - although Hunslet have ensured a huge off-season recruitment drive as they prepare for life in the second tier - with over 15 new signings.
It will be an interesting test as we see how last year’s 11th place finishers come up against the league’s new boys.
Another standout game in Round 1 is Bradford Bulls v London Broncos at Odsal. From previously Super League sides to Championship heavyweights, all eyes will turn to this match.
The Broncos, who were relegated from the Betfred Super League at the end of last year, are back in the second tier under Mike Eccles.
There’s been a massive shakeup in their squad, which boasts a lot of youth for 2025, but they still have the likes of Alex Walker, Will Lovell, Lewis Bienek and Sadiq Adebiyi who should be able to provide crucial experience.
Meanwhile, Brian Noble leads the Bulls in his second stint, who certainly mean business this season. The club has made a clear statement of intent with signings such as Emmanuel Waine, James Meadows, Joe Keyes, Matty Gee, and Waqa Blake, as they look to build on their third place finish last year.
And Noble's side have already captured the attention of many, following their sensational Challenge Cup victory against Super League’s Castleford Tigers in front of the BBC cameras last weekend.
The Bulls and Broncos last met in 2023 which cooked up a classic, with Bradford pipping a 10-12 victory.
Featherstone go head-to-head with Doncaster in the opening round. Last time out saw the Dons seal a 12-24 win at the Millenium Stadium, although the Rovers came away with a convincing win in the earlier fixture.
Fev's form dipped towards the back end of the year and James Ford's men only just scraped a place in the Play-Offs. Donny, who were adapting to their first season back in the Championship, finished a respectable eighth.
Doncaster have recruited well with duo Josh Bowden and Jordan Baldwinson, who should bolster their pack and bring vital Super League experience as they hope to improve on that of 2024.
Another Round 1 fixture sees two teams under new head coaches come up against each other – and that's Craig Lingard’s Sheffield Eagles who will meet with Kyle Eastwood’s Halifax Panthers.
Neither team were successful in making the Play-Offs last year, which was especially a shock for the Eagles - who had been high flying and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Finalists at Wembley just months earlier.
Can they be guided back to the top by their new bosses?
Finally, it’s a trip to Boundary Park for Mark Applegarth’s York Knights. They will face newly promoted Oldham, who will be hoping for a competitive season having stepped up from Betfred League One.
Sean Long’s men suffered just one defeat in 2024 and were crowned League One champions as early as August, but will their form transfer over as they make the step up?
Captained by Jordan Turner, their side already showcased an array of talent. And the Roughyeds have further added to this winning side with notable names such as Iain Thornley, Matty Ashurst, Gil Dudson, Adam Milner and Lewis Baxter. Will they be as formidable in the Championship competition?
Similarly, York had a successful year under Applegarth’s tenure in 2024. The Knights were stuck near the bottom of the table at the start of the campaign, before they made a mid-season coaching change with Applegarth taking over from Andrew Henderson. They then went on to secure a fantastic fourth place in the league standings as well as spot in the Play-Off semi-finals.
Their resurgence has been remarkable, but they must ensure a stronger start this time around if they are to finish any higher...
Which Betfred Championship Round 1 fixture are you most looking forward to?
Betfred Championship Round 1 fixtures:
Toulouse Olympique v Widnes Vikings – Saturday 15 February (K.O. 7.30pm)
Barrow Raiders v Hunslet RLFC – Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
Bradford Bulls v London Broncos – Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
Featherstone Rovers v Doncaster RLFC – Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
Sheffield Eagles v Halifax Panthers – Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
Oldham v York Knights – Sunday 15 February (K.O. 3pm)
Batley Bulldogs - Bye week
The Betfred Championship makes it long-awaited returns this weekend - the full fixture list can be found here.
