Rugby League is Yorkshire born and bred having been formed following a meeting between 21 clubs at the George Hotel, Huddersfield city in 1895. It has since developed into one of the most popular and passionate sports in Britain. An exciting spectator sport which will keep you on the edge of your seat due to its fast, skilful and physically demanding nature.
Woven into the cultural identity of many Yorkshire communities you can enjoy live Rugby League here in Yorkshire. Six top-class Betfred Super League clubs play in the county: Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos, meaning that half the teams currently competing in the top league are from the area.
The sport has an excellent reputation as a family game with several generations often attending games together, whilst, also offering great value for money. Children are kept entertained at the various grounds by the teams’ mascots as well as specially planned activities aimed at keeping the younger fans happy.
If you’re an absolute beginner to the game the rules are easier to pick up than you would think and, once you have got to grips with the basics, working out exactly what’s going on is all part of the fun. With 13 players and up to 10 interchanges allowed per side, things move pretty fast! Home games generally kick off around 8pm on Friday or 3pm on Sundays, for a fast and furious start or finish to the weekend!
For more information on Rugby League visit www.rugby-league.com
International Rugby League & Rugby League World Cup 2021
In 2021 England will host the Rugby League World Cup with the majority of games being planned in the North of England. England will be looking to go one better having reached the 2017 Final before losing narrowly to Australia.
Castleford Tigers
Founder Super League member, Castleford Tigers; enjoy lots of nicknames, and even more success! The club known as ‘Cas’, ‘Cas Tigers’ or ‘Classy Cas’, were also known as ‘The Glassblowers’, traditionally the trade of many supporters. But they’re not just a pretty name! The Tigers, famous for their attractive and stylish rugby, have won the prestigious Challenge Cup four times and are current League Leaders’ Shield holders having topped the Betfred Super League table in 2017.
Castleford’s top rivalry is against neighbouring Wakefield Trinity, although they also enjoy fierce competition against other Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Hull FC!
The Tigers’ home since 1927 has been the appropriately named ‘Jungle’ on Wheldon Road, a short walk from the town centre,
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants play their home games at the John Smith’s Stadium which is shared with Premier League football team Huddersfield Town. The Giants biggest star is current England wing and prolific try-scorer Jermaine McGillvary.
Huddersfield is also one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world’s first rugby league teams. With a trophy haul of 7 Championships and 6 Challenge Cups, they are another successful club from the region.
Hull FC
Hull FC may have the most unexpected history of all Yorkshire’s rugby league clubs, having been originally formed by a group of ex-public schoolboys from York in 1865. Today Hull FC’s biggest rivals are the city’s other professional team, Hull Kingston Rovers, and their stunning head-to-head encounters play to full houses and make for one of the most passionate fixtures in any sport.
Current Ladbrokes Challenge Cup holders having won the trophy back to back in 2016 and 2017. Hull FC can truly claim to be one of oldest clubs in rugby league, playing at one of the most modern venues, the KCOM Stadium they have shared with the high-flying footballing counterparts Hull City since January 2003.
Hull Kingston Rovers
One of the truly iconic clubs of rugby league, it’s not long since Hull Kingston Rovers could lay justifiable claim to be the sport’s most famous name. Now ‘Hull KR’ is right back in the big time having won promotion back to the Betfred Super League in 2017.
Taking the field in their instantly recognisable white shirts with red bands, ‘The Robins’ have had a number of grounds in their time but are now well established in their compact 10,000-seater Craven Park Stadium, just off Preston Rd in East Hull.
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos are the current Betfred Super League Champions. As Leeds’ only professional rugby league team, the Rhinos have enjoyed success over recent years having won 8 titles since 2004 and winning the World Club Challenge at their home ground in 2012. The Club boasts international stars Kallum Watkins & Ryan Hall and call Emerald Headingley Stadium, on the outskirts of Leeds, their home.
Leeds Rhinos are supported by one of rugby league’s most enduringly popular mascots, Ronnie the Rhino.
Wakefield Trinity
Originally formed by the members of a church, and enjoy nothing more than the chance to bring local rivals, the Castleford Tigers, to their knees!
Five times Challenge Cup winners and twice champions in the distant past, dubbed by passionate fans simply ‘Wakey’ or ‘Trin’ they have remained among the sport’s Super League elite since promotion from National League competition in 1999, and in 2009 enjoyed their best ever season, including entry to the end of season play-offs.
Wakefield Trinity have been at its Belle Vue stadium since 1879, and the 11,000 capacity venue can be easily accessed by bus, train or car.
Betfred Super League
Super League is Europe’s premier professional rugby league club competition, sponsored by Betfred. It comprises twelve teams, eleven English (6 Yorkshire) and one French, though due to the growing popularity of the spectacle, games have also been played in Scotland and Spain.
Super League teams battle it out from February to October, culminating in a play-off series and a sensational end of season Grand Final in front of over 70,000 spectators.
Ladbrokes Challenge Cup
The Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, rugby league’s historic and prestigious club competition, is the only knock-out tournament of its kind to include teams from all levels of the sport. It culminates in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium. Teams come from as far as North America, Ireland and France to compete for the honour of being there.