More Pre-Season Friendlies taking place this weekend

With three weeks to go until the start of the 2025 Rugby League campaigns, this means pre-season friendlies have been full swing!

And as well as the Second Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup taking place this weekend, fans can see a number of their teams in pre-season action…

On Friday (24 January), a local rivalry will be renewed as Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers meet for the first time since August 2023, in Luke Gale’s Testimonial game (K.O. 8pm).

Gale, who retired at the end of last season and is now part of Trinity’s coaching staff, has been named in their squad to face the Tigers, and is preparing for his cameo appearance.

The Tigers and Trinity are two of eight sides Gale spent time with during his 17-year Rugby League playing career. The former Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel was instrumental in Castleford's historic 2017 season - helping them lift their first League Leaders' Shield and reach a maiden Betfred Super League Grand Final, while most recently being pivotal in Wakefield's resurgence and their treble-winning Betfred Championship campaign.

Fans won't be forgetting any time soon the significant role Gale played in these successes, and will look to celebrate his applaudable career tonight at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. They will also be relishing the early chance to reconcile in this derby game, whilst getting a glimpse of what to expect from their new teams in 2025.

Keighley Cougars and Bradford Bulls will go head-to-head at Cougar Park on Saturday (K.O. 2pm) – an interesting test for both outfits who will settle for nothing less than success in 2025.

Then, Saturday will see Hull KR and York Knights will stage the most ambitious and exotic match of the 2025 pre-season when they square up at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam (K.O. 2.30pm).

Their ‘Amsterdam Challenge’ fixture was announced last summer as part of the Robins’ mission to spread their brand, and with it the best of Rugby League.

A four-figure attendance is guaranteed for a match that has already provided a huge boost to the profile of Rugby League in the Netherlands – which has been growing steadily in recent years. The match will be streamed live here for just £4.99, and for more information regarding this pre-season fixture, click here.

On Sunday, St Helens host Salford Red Devils (K.O. 3pm) in Morgan Knowles' Testimonial following his ten years of service as a Saint. Knowles was an integral part in Saints' four-in-a-row Super League victories between 2019 and 2022.

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos face Wigan Warriors in Ash Handley’s Testimonial game at AMT Headingley Stadium.

Two extremely strong squads have been named, and as Handley prepares to celebrate ten years in the Blue & Amber, it promises to be a blistering contest against the reigning Super League Champions.

Handley's game live will be streamed live on SuperLeague+, with all the details and pricing here.

Details of all pre-season friendlies taking place can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre.

To purchase tickets for any of the pre-season games, please visit the official club websites.