Five must-see Rounds in 2024

With the release of the 2024 Betfred Super League fixtures, it is now less than three months until the competition's eagerly anticipated return - and it vows to be an enticing year.

Will Wigan Warriors retain their Super League crown? Which six teams will secure their place in the play-offs? And can London Broncos compete following their shock promotion from the Betfred Championship? 

We've compiled five compelling rounds to watch out for in 2024.

ROUND 1 (HULL DERBY)

The new Super League season will kick off in emphatic fashion on Thursday 15 February with the Hull derby at FC's MKM stadium, live on Sky Sports. 

Last time out on home turf, it was one to forget for Tony Smith's team, who were thrashed 40-0 by their inner-city rivals. The Black and Whites would soon exact revenge however, going on to triumph in the reverse fixture thanks to a 16-6 win at Sewell Group Craven Park. 

The Robins will be determined to prevent a reoccurrence of that derby day defeat when Round 1 comes around and will be hoping the likes of star man Mikey Lewis - who recently committed to a new five-year deal with the club - will be able to replicate their 2023 success, which included a Challenge Cup Final appearance and play-off semi-final berth.

Hull Derby ? Round 1 ?

We?ve been here before ? SCENES @hullkrofficial ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/xcOGS4XEfX
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 22, 2023

Round 1 will also see Leeds Rhinos take on Salford Red Devils at AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday night, also live on Sky Sports. Lucrative new recruits Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers will make their Rhinos debut against their former side, whilst Nene McDonald is set to feature for Salford against his ex-employer, in what is set to be a thrilling and tense battle.

ROUND 6 (RIVALS ROUND)

Rivals Round returns this Easter, with all six fixtures televised live on Sky Sports across one action-packed weekend. The Easter period is renowned for rival teams going head-to-head, and the year of 2024 will be no different, as four local derbies take centre stage.

Rivals Round is set for 2024 ?

Full #SuperLeague fixtures released tomorrow at 8:30am ? pic.twitter.com/QfQ6LDajKm
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 22, 2023

Starting on Thursday night, Castleford Tigers host Leeds Rhinos in a fierce West Yorkshire derby, before the famous and traditional Good Friday Derby between Wigan Warriors and St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium, as well as the Hull derby taking place before that. And that's not all. Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards will write another chapter in their ever-growing rivalry on Saturday afternoon.

ROUND 10 (GRAND FINAL REMATCH)

Matt Peet's men were crowned Super League Champions for the first time since 2018 after a gutsy 10-2 win over Catalans Dragons under the lights at Old Trafford and in front of 58,137 fans back in October. 

The two sides became well acquainted with one another in 2023, facing off three times during the regular season before meeting for one final showdown at the Theatre of Dreams. 

They will meet for the first time since that faithful evening in Round 10 at the home of the Champions.

Steve McNamara's side will no doubt be out for revenge, whilst hoping as a club they can go one step further in 2024 and win a maiden Grand Final. Wigan, on the other hand, will be seeking another famous win against the Dragons, whilst laying down a marker to the rest of the competition. 

ROUND 17 (NEWLY PROMOTED VS. LAST YEARS SURVIVORS)

In the second half of the season, Round 17 sees Castleford Tigers take a trip down South to face London Broncos.

The newly promoted Broncos clinched a famous 18-14 win against Toulouse Olympique XIII in the Championship Grand Final to secure Super League status in 2024, and will be hoping they can cause a few upsets in the top flight next year.

Castleford, after finishing in 11th place and just six points clear of relegated Wakefield Trinity, will be determined to ensure they don't find themselves in the same position again in 2024.

The two sides will first meet in April at the Jungle before the return leg in July. Could the Tigers' trip to London end up sharing similarities with Wakefield and Castleford's tense relegation battle fixture last August? Or will we see the rise of the Tigers and Broncos in 2024?

ROUND 27 (PLAY-OFF POTENTIAL)

The battle for the top six went to the final round last season with all six play-off positions still up for grabs in Round 27.

We can expect a similar story in 2024, meaning there will be plenty on the line when the regular season reaches its finale. 

The final round of the regular season will see Leigh Leopards host former Champions St Helens - two teams who were fighting for a place at the Grand Final in 2023. Leigh were unable to capitalise after their sensational Challenge Cup win and record-breaking first season back in Super League, whereas Paul Wellens' men fell short in the semi-finals, after a late resurgence towards the back end of the season. 

Elsewhere, the high-flying Robins take on a new-look Leeds Rhinos side on the final day of the season. Expectations will be sky-high at AMT Headingley after their huge off-season recruitment drive, whilst Hull KR will be keen to ensure they keep the good times rolling after an impressive 2023 campaign.

The full Betfred Super League fixture list can be found here.