Logistical issues could see the World Club Challenge cancelled in 2025 with the Super League and NRL champs the determining factor.
That’s been reported by Love Rugby League who claim the 2025 edition is at risk depending on which teams win both Super League and the NRL.
The World Club Challenge has been one of the best things to return to rugby league post-Covid with the annual clash between the Super League and NRL champions having been played in 2023 and 2024.
On both occasions, the Super League side have won with St Helens and Wigan Warriors both downing Penrith Panthers in incredible spectacles but there’s now a risk that we won’t get to see the contest in 2025 at all.
The reason why the World Club Challenge is at risk for 2025 is purely down to logistics with the major issue being the NRL and Super League involvement in Las Vegas.
We’ve broken down all the scenarios of if, where and when the World Club Challenge will be played, depending on the various outcomes in the next couple of weeks.
Will the World Club Challenge be played in 2025?
Credit: Imago Images
We’re at the sharp end of the season and both the Super League semi-finals and the NRL Grand Final are set with Hull KR to host Warrington, Wigan hosting Leigh and then Penrith Panthers facing Melbourne Storm in the NRL Grand Final.
Of those six teams, three are involved in the Las Vegas expedition next year which will take place on March 1st, the equivalent of Round Two in Super League, and that could present a major issue.
As it stands, there are three scenarios regarding the World Club Challenge which we’ve assessed.
World Club Challenge is played in England
This is the most desirable outcome for the majority of neutrals who will have no doubt loved having elite cross-competition rugby league available to watch in a primetime Saturday night slot back in February.
Per Love Rugby League, it’s understood that Melbourne Storm would be keen to come to England to contest the game and that would happen should they beat Penrith, regardless of who wins the Super League Grand Final. Simple enough.
World Club Challenge is played in Australia
However, Penrith Panthers, the current three-time-consecutive champions would not want to travel to England because of their trip to Las Vegas. The Panthers would be happy to host a game and then jet off to Vegas upon its conclusion, meaning that should the Panthers win then the game will be played in Australia.
World Club Challenge is not played in 2025
There is a sticking point to that fact though. If either Wigan or Warrington win the Super League Grand Final then the game would likely have to be cancelled due to logistics.
Wigan and Warrington would be unable to travel to Australia and then to Las Vegas to face each other, meaning if Penrith win the Grand Final then neutrals will be hoping for a Hull KR or Leigh Grand Final win to ensure that the World Club Challenge goes ahead in 2025.
The key dates to keep in mind are the weekends of the 22nd and 23rd of February, the likely date should Melbourne win and then travel to England, or the 15th and 16th of February which would see either Hull KR or Leigh travel to face Penrith in Australia should the Panthers win. If Wigan or Wire win and Penrith do so then the game is likely off.
Eric T Cat
September 30, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Why not stage it at the end of the season? The meeting of fresh champions! Maybe the women’s game and wheelchair teams too? Then it doesn’t disrupr preseason as nuch as it does currently.