The BBC has once again shown its huge value to rugby league after confirmation that Saturday’s Super League match between Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR was the most-watched game in the competition this season.
A dramatic affair that ended with hosts Wakefield scoring in the 78th minute to win 26-24, it’s now been confirmed that over 500,000 fans at peak, making it the most-watched game this season but also among the best-watched since 2015.
Whilst the game has seen contentious headlines spill out, notably the debate around the captain’s challenge after Wakefield boss Daryl Powell urged the RFL to scrap the system, such positive figures for people watching Super League is always a boost, thus highlighting the importance of the free-to-air games.
It’s been confirmed by the RFL and reported by The Yorkshire Evening Post that the game on BBC Two drew a peak viewing figure of 523,100, with the average viewership throughout being 379,300.
In terms of regular-season games in Super League that have surpassed that figure since 2015, there are only three, with two of those being on Channel 4 when the broadcaster had the rights in 2022. The other came in 2024 and was shown on Sky Sports Action and the BBC.
The BBC’s coverage this past weekend also paid tribute to rugby league legend John Kear, a former coach at Wakefield and the man who had commentated on Hull KR’s Challenge Cup Final just a week early.
Next up to be broadcast on the BBC from Super League is the clash between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls on July 26th, over six weeks away, and that game could also trouble records given the fan bases of either club.
Brad Arthur commits to Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR lose back-to-back and Captain’s Challenge rule debated – Click here to listen to this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Super League most-watched games since 2015 (average audience)
5: Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers – 2024 – Sky Sports Action & BBC Two – 365,312
4: Wakefield Trinity v Hull KR – 2026 – BBC Two – 379,300
3: Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors – 2022 – Sky Sports Action & BBC Two – 437,420
2: Hull FC v St Helens – 2022 – Channel 4 – 515,000
1: Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves – 2022 – Channel 4 – 564,700
