There is something huge to look forward to at the start of the 2023 Super League season and that is of course the World Club Challenge.
This sees St Helens, who have won the last four Super League Grand Finals, take on the NRL’s back-to-back Champions Penrith Panthers.
It is the definitive meeting of Champions in modern times and the match will take place at the home of the Panthers, the BlueBet Stadium on Saturday 18 February, 2023 (6pm KO local/ 7am UK).
In what will be a first for fans in the UK, the World Club Challenge will be broadcast free-to-air by Channel 4 and will be part of double header by the broadcaster that day with the Betfred Super League clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors live at 1pm.
However, it has today been confirmed that the clash will be shown on Sky Sports as well as they broadcast 20 fixtures as part of the NRL’s pre-season.
Before that, the Super League kings face another NRL side in St George Illawarra Dragons as part of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge and that match will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena as well on Saturday, February 11, kicking off at 9am.
This is exciting for St Helens fans unable to go down under as they can watch the Saints prepare for the new season in the NRL’s new pre-season tournament before the World Club Challenge.
This will mark the 8th time St Helens have played in the World Club Challenge, with two victories to their name, coming in 2001 and 2007, both against Brisbane Broncos.
Penrith Panthers have previously appeared twice in the World Club Challenge, being beaten by Wigan Warriors (1991) and also being beaten by Bradford Bulls (2004).