Rugby League Ventures Beyond Its Heartlands: A Look Back at Memorable ‘On the Road’ Fixtures
Hull KR’s recently announced pre-season friendly against Championship side York in Amsterdam next year has rekindled memories of rugby league’s forays into unfamiliar territories over the years. While the sport has primarily been concentrated in its traditional northern England strongholds, there have been numerous instances where Super League games have ventured beyond these borders, often with the aim of broadening the game’s reach and appeal.
One of the most notable examples was the ‘On the Road’ round of fixtures in 1998, the third season of Super League. This unique round saw all 12 clubs participate, but instead of congregating at a single venue, the six matches were spread across five different stadiums, including Gateshead International Stadium, Sixfields Stadium in Northampton, Tynecastle in Edinburgh, the Arms Park in Cardiff, and Swansea’s Vetch Field. Over 31,000 spectators attended these matches, with an average of 5,230 per game.
More recently, in 2019, the Catalans Dragons hosted Wigan Warriors at the iconic Camp Nou in Barcelona, drawing a record Super League crowd of 31,555. This was just one of several instances where Super League games have ventured into unfamiliar territory, including Wigan and Hull FC facing off at the Wollongong Showground in Australia in 2018, and the London Broncos temporarily relocating to Welford Road in Leicester on three occasions between 1999 and 2004.
The sport’s drive to expand its horizons has also been reflected in the relocation of the Challenge Cup final from Wembley to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022, as well as the ever-changing venues for the annual Magic Weekend, which has been held at six different stadiums since its inception.
“These forays into new territories, while not always financially successful, have undoubtedly contributed to rugby league’s efforts to grow its fanbase and reach new audiences.”
As the sport continues to explore innovative ways to captivate supporters, it remains to be seen where the next ‘on the road’ venture will take place, but one thing is certain – rugby league’s journey beyond its traditional heartlands is far from over.
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