Super League round 20, dubbed as Rivals Returns, has drawn one of the largest combined attendance figures in the competition’s history and set a 2026 season record.
A whopping 83,615 fans turned out across the seven games with Wigan Warriors and St Helens drawing the highest crowd as 18,906 watched them face off on Friday night.
Just a day prior to that, 18,809 had been in attendance when Hull FC lost to Hull KR, with the Super League season 2026 record falling in large part to those two monster attendances.
The West Yorkshire derby on Sunday also helped as Bradford Bulls returned to play a Super League game at Headingley for the first time in over a decade, with 16,548 in attendance for that one as the Rhinos won 42-12.
Almost 10,000 turned up to watch as Leigh Leopards beat Warrington Wolves on Saturday, whilst the evening game between Toulouse and Catalans also drew a 7,000-plus crowd in the pouring rain.
There was also over 9,000 at Wakefield as they hammered rivals Castleford despite going down to 12 men in the first-half, whilst the clash between York and Huddersfield drew over 4,000 with the few Giants fans who did travel rewarded with a first win since early April.
Not only do those attendances combine for the largest in the 2026 season, they also mark the sixth-highest aggregate attendance in Super League history, showcasing what a commercial success the round was.
Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, said: “Rivals Returns is exactly what Super League is all about – fierce local rivalries, brilliant atmospheres and unforgettable occasions. To welcome 83,615 fans across the weekend and record the highest attendance of the season is a fantastic achievement.
“To also become the sixth-highest attended round in Super League history is a testament to the work of our clubs, partners and everyone involved in creating experiences that fans want to be part of. We thank every supporter who came through the turnstiles and helped make it such a special weekend.”
Super League round 20 attendance
Hull FC 20-34 Hull KR – 18,809
Wakefield Trinity 52-14 Castleford Tigers – 9,158
Wigan Warriors 38-16 St Helens – 18,906
York Knights 22-24 Huddersfield Giants – 4,025
Leigh Leopards 28-10 Warrington Wolves – 9,145
Toulouse Olympique 16-18 Catalans Dragons – 7,024
Leeds Rhinos 42-12 Bradford Bulls – 16,548
Combined attendance – 83,615
Rivals Returns has become the highest-attended round of the 2026 Betfred #SuperLeague season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/j9FZYZro0K
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 26, 2026
