The Betfred Super League’s 2025 season began with a historic night of rugby when Leigh Leopards got a win on the road against Wigan Warriors on 13 February.
According to the league, the 21,748 attendees at the match between reigning champions Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards set a new record for Round One, surpassing the previous high of 21,693 for Wigan’s 2007 opener against Warrington Wolves.
The match ended 0-0 after the regular 80 minutes, marking the first scoreless game since the league’s inception in 1996. However, more history was made during Golden Point Time, a feature added to the league in 2019.
A drop goal earned Leigh a crucial point, securing its first win over local rivals Wigan since August 1983, and delivering the first-ever 0-1 scoreline in elite Rugby League after Golden Point was introduced by Australia’s NRL in 2003.
Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “Our congratulations and thanks go first to the players of Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards for a compelling opening match of the Betfred Super League season – and especially to the Leopards for an historic result for their club.
“But those congratulations and thanks should be extended to both clubs and their supporters for securing a new opening round record for Super League – and to Sky Sports, our major broadcast partners, for bringing Michael Buffer to Wigan.
“It was the perfect way to start the 30th Super League season as we prepare to make more history in Las Vegas in a fortnight.”
As noted by Jones, Sky Sports employed legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer to introduce the teams, using his famous catchphrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble.” This showbiz element has been increasingly adopted by Super League teams in recent years.
This mirrors the renewed focus on commercial activity seen across English rugby league, with one of last night’s teams, Leigh Leopards, showcasing a few examples of this approach.
Founded in 1878, the club has long had strong support from its local community. However, in an effort to increase commercial value and revitalise the club, it rebranded from Leigh Centurions to Leigh Leopards in 2022.
Since the change, Leigh has seen success both on and off the field, distinguishing itself by adopting ideas from American sports to boost fan engagement, including pre-match and halftime performances.
With more games scheduled for this weekend, Jones highlighted the sold-out match at Hull KR and the kickoff of the Catalan Dragons’ season.
“And we know that the momentum will continue through the opening weekend, with advance ticket sales meaning we are already guaranteed an aggregate attendance of over 70,000 – for the second consecutive year for Round One, having reached that figure for the first time for a six-match opening round in 2024,” added Jones.
“It’s a big night for the Catalans Dragons in Perpignan as they kick off their 20th Super League season against Hull FC at the increasingly impressive Stade Gilbert Brutus, and another electric atmosphere is guaranteed at Sewell Group Craven Park where Hull KR launch their campaign to go one better than last season’s Grand Final defeat, against the 2017 Grand Finalists Castleford Tigers.”
In a clear sign of the Super League’s ambition to expand commercially and globalise rugby league, a match in Las Vegas is scheduled for next month. Announced last year, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will face off at Allegiant Stadium.
