Both St Helens and Bradford Bulls have confirmed another pre-season friendly, as both sides looks to gain match fitness ahead of the new season.
The pair already have friendlies locked in for January, with Saints hosting Castleford Tigers on Saturday 24 January, as part of Matty Lees’ testimonial game.
Bradford meanwhile, will begin the first of their four scheduled meetings against local rivals Leeds Rhinos the following day, as they travel to AMT Headingley on January 25 – with that game in aid of Leeds skipper Cameron Smith’s testimonial.
The Bulls also have a game scheduled in against Doncaster on January 11, as the Dons welcome the newly-promoted Super League side in what will be a test of both sides’ new-look squads in 2026.
Now, two of the game’s oldest and most successful clubs have locked in another warm-up game, with the pair both stating that it will be used to give fringe, reserve and youth players game time ahead of their respective campaigns.
St Helens will take an inexperienced side to Heywood Road, where they will meet Swinton Lions. The game comes one week before Swinton open their 2026 Championship season against Rochdale Hornets.
Bradford will also travel, as they make the short journey to Dewsbury Rams. Both games will take place on Saturday 1o January, meaning that the Bulls will play two games in one weekend, as they look to give their full squad a run-out.
Both Saints and Bradford’s competitive campaigns will kick off on the weekend of February 7/8, as they enter the third round of the Challenge Cup. Super League sides are guaranteed to be drawn away from home, and cannot face another top flight club in that round of matches.
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😇 A young Saints team will take on @Swinton_Lions in a Pre-Season Friendly on Saturday, 10th January 2026!
Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester 🦁#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) December 6, 2025
