Championship Summer Bash: Score predictions, kick-off times and TV coverage

It’s one of the biggest weekends in the Championship season as all 14 clubs descend on one stadium for seven huge games that could go on to define the season.

Held at a new venue after an affinity with Blackpool over the years, this year’s event takes place at perhaps Britain’s most historic rugby league venue Emerald Headingley Stadium.

Though there has been some backlash to holding the event within a rugby league city instead of trying to push the sport to new locations, excitement is bubbling ahead of some seismic clashes.

The weekend starts as the in form London Broncos take on Sheffield Eagles. The Broncos certainly have a good chance of keeping up their winning ways but this should be a close encounters.

Then one of the biggest derbies in the Championship as Batley take on Dewsbury. The Rams are struggling at the bottom and are at risk of being cut adrift at the bottom. They need a win but against their play-off chasing local rivals, it seems unlikely.

From one derby to another, next up Bradford and Halifax lock horns. This has a similar flavour to the Batley-Dewsbury affair, Bradford are struggling at the moment as the Panthers chase play-off rugby. Thus, it could be a long day for the Bulls.

Concluding day one is the battle at the top as Featherstone battle Leigh. The Centurions could virtually secure top spot with a win you’d think and lay down a real marker in a week they secured Blake Ferguson for two more years.

In day two, the league’s surprise package Barrow take on Widnes who have turned the corner recently in what should be an exciting matchup.

Then Whitehaven take on Workington as two of the bottom three collide hoping to rekindle their seasons.

Finally, two forward thinking clubs bring the weekend to a close as the up and down Newcastle Thunder battle the play-off chasing York City Knights.

Here’s everything you need to know about every fixture including our score prediction:

London Broncos vs Sheffield Eagles
Kick-off: Sat 12:45
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: London 28-24 Sheffield

Batley Bulldogs vs Dewsbury Rams
Kick-off: Sat 15:00
TV Coverage Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Batley 42-14 Dewsbury

Bradford Bulls vs Halifax Panthers
Kick-off: Sat 17:15
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Bradford 10-30 Halifax

Featherstone Rovers vs Leigh Centurions
Kick-off: Sat 19:30
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Featherstone 16-32 Leigh

Barrow Raiders vs Widnes Vikings
Kick-off: Sun 13:45
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Barrow 22-20 Widnes

Whitehaven vs Workington Town
Kick-off: Sun 16:00
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Whitehaven 26-14 Workington

Newcastle Thunder vs York City Knights
Kick-off: Sun 18:15
TV Coverage: Premier Sports 1
Score Prediction: Newcastle 18-30 York