In February 2022, Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves made history being the first teams shown on Channel 4 whilst this year Wigan Warriors and Hull KR kick started the season on Channel after the World Club Challenge between St Helens and Penrith Panthers.
Channel 4’s coverage of the sport is universally beloved but its future is up in the air with their contract expiring.
But before the season draws to a close they have one more regular fixture to show live on Channel 4.
This was originally pencilled in for Round 26 but it appears set to be saved until Round 27 when the season draws to a close.
This is because the Round 26 selections have already been confirmed. This means though Channel 4 are set to show a huge fixture as the season concludes.
The Round 26 action will kick off on Friday September 15 with the latest instalment of the fierce local rivalry between Warrington Wolves and St Helens with the teams currently sitting in fifth and third in the table, and in the thick of the battle for Play-Off places.
Then on Saturday September 16, the match between league leaders Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos in Perpignan will be followed by Hull KR v Salford Red Devils at Sewell Group Craven Park two teams who can currently be separated only by points percentage on either side of the Play-Off divide.
Sky Sports? coverage of the Betfred Super League continues this weekend with Salford’s trip to Wigan Warriors on Friday night (8pm), followed by Warrington’s home game against Castleford Tigers on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
Betfred Super League Rounds 24-26Â Sky Sports coverage
Round 24
Friday September 1Â Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils (8pm)
Saturday September 2Â Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers (3pm)
Round 25
Friday September 8Â St Helens v Leigh Leopards (8pm)
Saturday September 9Â Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors (245pm)
Round 26
Friday September 15Â Warrington Wolves v St Helens (8pm)
Saturday September 16 Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos (5pm BST)
Saturday September 16Â Hull KR v Salford Red Devils (730pm)
There has been a suggestion that this information has been “leaked” recently during the Catalans-Wigan game but in actual fact it was confirmed at the same time as the TV coverage for last weekend’s game in France between Catalans and Wigan with the following statement:
“Sky Sports are to provide live and exclusive coverage of two more Catalans Dragons home games from Perpignan in August and September, with the French club aiming to finish top of the Betfred Super League table for the second time in three seasons.
“Both matches are potential blockbusters, kicking off with the Round 23 visit of Wigan Warriors to Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday August 26, always a highlight of the Catalans’ season, and likely to be even more significant this season with the Dragons currently top of the table, and Wigan third.
“Then three weeks later in Round 26, there will be another Saturday evening showdown for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy, as Leeds Rhinos head for Perpignan with Rohan Smith’s team hoping for a repeat of last season’s late charge to the Play-Offs, and eventually to the Grand Final.
“The kick-off of that match has been brought forward by an hour, to 5pm UK time (6pm in France) while the Wigan match will kick off as scheduled, at 6pm UK time (7pm France).
“Sky Sports have already shown two Catalans home games this season, against Warrington Wolves on Easter Monday and St Helens in May, and have confirmed coverage of the return match against Saints at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday 13 July.”