To open up the 30th season of Super League, Leigh’s 1-0 victory over Wigan Warriors had everything from big hits and yellow cards to some Vegas sparkle and rugby league records galore.
Whether you like a low-scoring or high-scoring game of rugby league and regardless of which team you support, you can’t deny that the 2025 Super League opener has everybody talking.
Nobody could’ve predicted this scoreline, with Sam Burgess even stating at half-time on the Sky Sports broadcast that he expected multiple tries in the second half.
With records galore, special guests and a first look at a new rule, here are a few highlights from last night’s game between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards.
Wigan Warriors break first-round Super League attendance record
We all know Wigan have been a massive success on the field in recent years but the Warriors are working hard off the field to promote the sport too.
21,748 people were in attendance at the Brick Community Stadium on Thursday night to see their beloved Wigan or Leigh compete.
That’s now the highest attendance of a Round 1 Super League fixture.
It surpasses the previous record of 21,693 between Wigan again and Warrington Wolves in 2007.
First 80 minute 0-0 scoreline since 1993
Whilst it might be the first-ever Super League game to finish 0-0, you have to back to December 1993 to find the last game to have a 0-0 scoreline in a professional game.
That was the Boxing Day fixture between Workington and Whitehaven back in the winter rugby days, just two and a bit years before Super League began.
It’s also only the third try-less game in the history of the Super League, with a 5-2 score between Salford and Harlequins in 2007 and Warrington beating Hull FC 4-0 win in 2022.
First Leigh victory at Wigan Warriors since 1983
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Wigan have been a champion side since most of us can remember, which is why last night’s victory for Leigh was their first win at the home of the Warriors since August 1983.
Leigh have definitely improved since their arrival back in Super League in 2023, finishing 5th in both 2023 and 2024.
Could they improve on that in 2025 or will the experts be right in thinking they might even drop out of the top six?
This rivalry with Wigan certainly intensified last night so we expect this fixture to become a standout in the calendar in the future.
The introduction of the captain’s challenge
One new rule change for 2025 is the introduction of the captain’s challenge, first seen in the NRL in 2020.
However, both attempts made by Wigan’s Liam Farrell and Leigh’s Lachlan Lam were unsuccessful, meaning they were unable to make another challenge.
The captain’s challenge gets reset during Golden Point but neither side needed to use it during the additional two minutes played.
Special guests in the house
To help promote the ‘Super League goes to Las Vegas’ theme, Sky Sports flew renowned ring announcer Michael Buffer to introduce the teams to the field.
Along with a dramatic light show and very loud music, Wigan went all out in providing a spectacle for fans both in the stadium and watching at home on the TV.
Also in attendance was Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount, who is currently out injured for the foreseeable future.
The Lathums provided the crowd with some pre-match music too and this game had a real ‘big occasion’ feel to it as if Super League was having a bit of a rebirth.
The game itself was a great advert for the 2025 season, with plenty of action and records galore.
The 2025 opener showed that rugby league in the UK has the chance to use the game itself to promote the sport and between Wigan and Leigh, the game looks stronger than ever.
