Super League club Catalans Dragons are set to spend an extortionate amount of money just to play in this weekend’s fixture.
A lot has been made lately about the future of the Catalans Dragons in Super League and the potential for Toulouse Olympique in the Betfred Super League once again after their one season in 2022 which sadly ended in relegation.
Reports have suggested that Catalans will have to start funding for their opponent’s travel in the Betfred Super League with some suggestions claiming that this is because the sport is exploring a 14 team Super League.
This would mean that to presume the money that British clubs currently get, the French clubs would not be allowed a piece of the pie which has been met with some criticism.
But for last year’s Super League Grand Finalists this is just the latest financial challenge the club is set to face.
Super League club set to pay £500,000 to play in fixture
Credit Imago Images
According to French publication L’Independent, Catalans Dragons are set to have to pay £36,000 on a private plane to get them to Halifax on Sunday for their Challenge Cup clash with the Championship outfit, one of only four games in the Cup this weekend which involves a Championship side.
When you add this to the £428,000 bond the club have to pay just to participate in the competition, it means that to play in this one game at the weekend the French club are spending nearly half a million pound.
This highlights the struggles the club face which can not be compared to any other side but it also shows their commitment as well.
Catalans Dragons cup history
The Dragons may have only been in Super League since 2006, but the French club already have quite a rich history when it comes to the oldest and most prestigious competition in the sport.
In only their second season, Catalans Dragons made it all the way to the 2007 Challenge Cup Final which was the inaugural final held at the new Wembley stadium.
They lost to St Helens that day but would return to the semi-finals again just three years later in 2010 against the Warrington Wolves.
In 2018, they would stun league leaders St Helens to book their place in a second Challenge Cup Final and would again stun Warrington Wolves to win the Challenge Cup.
