BBC to stream two Challenge Cup first round ties
The BBC will stream two Challenge Cup first round ties, the Rugby Football League has confirmed.
On March 21, BBC will expand their first round coverage to show West Wales Raiders take on Widnes (12:45pm) in what will be Gavin Henson’s first game in rugby league since crossing codes.
BBC will also stream a heavyweight West Yorkshire tie between Championship sides Featherstone and Bradford (3pm).
The other six ties of the Challenge Cup will also be streamed live on other platforms. On March 20, four Challenge Cup ties will be streamed back to back on Our League, followed by another three on March 21.
With early season fixtures expected to be played behind closed doors, all Our League matches will be free to season ticket holders of the home club, with the RFL putting on early bird offers for all other supporters, meaning fans can watch games for £4.95 – as well as day and weekend passes.
Sheffield and York have the honour of kicking off the 2021 rugby league season with their Challenge Cup tie on Friday, March 19.
Details of the second round of the Challenge Cup – which will be played on the weekend of March 27-28 – will be confirmed after the first round ties.
Challenge Cup, first round:
Friday, March 19
Sheffield v York (7:45pm live from Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster – coverage tbc)
Saturday, March 20
Oldham v Barrow (12:45pm), London Broncos v Keighley (3pm), Whitehaven v Dewsbury (5:15pm), Halifax v Batley (7:30pm) – all matches live on Our League, free to home season ticket holders, otherwise Pay Per View.
Sunday, March 21
West Wales Raiders v Widnes (12:45pm), Featherstone v Bradford (3pm) – both BBC.
Swinton v Newcastle Thunder (5:15pm) – live on Our League, free to home season ticket holders, otherwise Pay Per View.
How can we watch?
Matches played behind closed doors in the Challenge Cup first round and round one of the Championship will be available to watch either through Betfred, BBC or through Our League.
Our League fixtures will be free to season ticket holders of the home club. Season ticket holders will receive their access codes ahead of the first fixture directly from their club.
Other rugby league fans – including supporters of the away club – will be able to secure the live coverage for an early bird price of £4.95, which increases to £10 on the day of the match.
A day pass will cost £15 and secure live coverage of all fixtures on a given day (for example four Challenge Cup ties on Saturday, March 20).
A weekend pass will cost £20 and secure live coverage of all the matches being shown on Our League in a full round (for example five of the eight Challenge Cup ties on March 20-21, and all seven matches in round one of the Championship from April 2-4).
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