EARLY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2022

Rugby League reasons to be excited for 2022, coming your way between now and June

The 2022 rugby league season is shaping up to be one filled with thrills and excitement with plenty for fans in the north east to look forward to.

From the first visit of a Super League side for two years in pre-season, to a double dose of Thunder at the start of June, these are our pick of the highlights fans should be excited about in the first half of the year.

Wigan Friendly

Thunder fans get to see their new look squad in action at home in just over three weeks, when the club host Wigan Warriors (Sun 23 KO 3pm)

Thunder’s second friendly of the winter and the Warriors first, there will be an array of players on show from both clubs in extended squads, as the respective coaching panels run the rule over their charges.

Further interest comes from former Warriors Mitch Clarke, Craig Mullen, Jake Shorrocks, Josh Woods and Nathan Wilde, along with Denis Betts and Eamon O’Carroll going up against their old club.

Tickets are on sale now with Under 16s priced at £5 and all others at £10. Click here to purchase.

Betfred Championship 2022 kicks off.

It's just under four weeks until the new Betfred Championship gets underway, with a trip to newly promoted Workington Town the first test for Thunder this season.

A 2pm kick off on January 30, it will be the first meeting between the two sides since March 2020 and the first on Cumbrian soil since 2019.  

Batley Bulldogs will be the first visitors to Kingston Park Stadium in league action this year, as Thunder begin their home campaign in round two.

Taking place on Sunday 6 February with a 3pm kick-off tickets for this and confirmed home fixtures up to round 12 will go on sale from Monday 10 January

Batley were one of the impressive packages in 2021, finishing the season fourth in the table, winning 13 out of their 21 games played and beating Bradford Bulls in the end-of-season play-offs.

The first of 13 home games in the competition, season ticket memberships for the full campaign are available to purchase by clicking here.

Starting for £190, supporters can spread the cost with a six month payment plan through Orchard Funding. For more details, click here.

The road to the capital

With a return to a more traditional format in 2022, Thunder will set out on the road to the Capital in round four this season.

Taking place on the last weekend in February, Thunder will learn their opponents after the completion round two at the end of January.

2022 sees a compact schedule for rugby league’s oldest knock-out competition with the action coming thick and fast, ahead of this season’s final taking place at Tottenham Hotspur stadium on May 28.

Thunder will also have the opportunity to feature at the sports big day in London with the 1895 Cup again offering a second path for clubs outside of the Betfred Super League.


Monday Night Rugby

With the Betfred Championship securing a new broadcast partner in Premier Sports for 2022, Monday Night Rugby is a new feature for the forthcoming season.

Thunder’s first appearance in front of the TV cameras comes at the start of April, with the round seven clash with Widnes Vikings selected for the 19:45 kick off slot.

Serving up a 30-all thriller last season as former Thunder head coach Simon Finnigan’s team came north, Thunder will be targeting a bumper crowd to cheer the team and show the strength of rugby league in the north east.

Jubilee Jamboree 

With an extended bank holiday weekend for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee there’s a double dose of Thunder on offer, with two home games in four days.

First up are 2021’s beaten Million Pound Game finalists Featherstone Rovers, who will be hoping to arrive for their first ever visit to Kingston Park as one of the Championship pace-setters.

A 3pm kick off on Thursday 2nd June, the game is followed on Sunday 5th when Sheffield Eagles will be in opposition.