The Championship season kicked off over the weekend, and there were some impressive crowd numbers recorded across the country.
Beginning with the newly-formed Salford RLFC, the newly-formed club hosted local rivals Oldham, in what was their first ever game under their new identity.
The Red Devils moniker may cease to exist, but the fans and supporters of Salford rugby league were in full force on Friday night, as they witnessed the rebirth of their beloved club.
Whilst there was no official attendance given, the RFL website confirmed that a crowd of around 5,000 showed up to watch the fixture, with the Salford faithful not bothered about the result, they were just happy to see their team back on the field.
Oldham ran in 44 points without reply, and now sit top of the Championship on points difference.
The remaining games were played on Sunday, and Jason Demetriou’s London Broncos took the headlines as they defeated Widnes Vikings 44-12.
Alex Max (twice), Dean Hawkins and Reagan Campbell-Gillard all crossed for their new club, as 4,380 people witness the first game under the club’s new era.
Going from the capital to Cumbria, Barrow Raiders were another team that boasted a four-figure crowd, as their local derby with Workington Town pulled in 2,003 supporters.
The Raiders secured a heavy 40-o win, as Ellis Archer and Luke Cresswell both bagged braces in the victory.
In the fourth and final game that saw a four-figure attendance, Keighley Cougars defeated Goole Vikings in front of 1,148 spectators.
Sheffield Eagles edged past Whitehaven in a low-scoring affair up in Cumbria. Craig Lingard’s side were 11-4 victors and did so in front of a crowd of 824 fans.
Swinton Lions suffered a home defeat to Rochdale Hornets. Four conversions from Max Flanagan would be the difference as a crowd of 822 saw Gary Thornton’s side take the two points.
Hunslet RLFC are still without a win since May 2025, and suffered a home defeat to Dewsbury Rams. A crowd of 780 turned up to witness the clash between the two West Yorkshire outfits.
Newcastle Thunder‘s first competitive victory in over two seasons was witnessed by a crowd of 413, as they travelled to Midlands Hurricanes.
There is no official attendance posted by either Doncaster or Halifax. The Dons emerged 19-12 victors in that contest.
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