The Betfred League One returns for 2025!
Betfred League One makes its long-awaited return this weekend, as eleven teams look to compete for a place in the new ‘Super Eights’ competition and earn their shot at promotion to the Betfred Championship.
There are four new faces in the third tier for 2025 – Dewsbury, Swinton and Whitehaven will be adapting to the League One life following their relegation from the Championship, while newcomers Goole Vikings will be raring to go following their successful application to join the professional ranks.
There is added incentive this year, with promotion and relegation between the Championship and League One set to be determined by a Super Eights style competition. The top four of League One will join the four lowest-ranked teams in the Championship at the end of the regular season, where they will then compete in a series of fixtures in a new league table.
The top two will automatically secure promotion into the Championship, with 3rd and 4th fighting it out for the final place on offer. The loser of this match and the teams who finish below will head down into League One.
The aim of this system is to have a 12-team Championship and 12-team League One ready for 2026.
But first we've a long season ahead, with five enticing matches will take place on Sunday – although Newcastle Thunder will have to wait another week to kick-start their campaign, as they have a bye week.
First up, is a standout clash between Goole Vikings and Midlands Hurricanes which will kick off the new League One campaign.
Scott Taylor’s Vikings will be relishing their first ever League One fixture and have already impressed in rugby league’s two cup competitions – by beating London Broncos 10-17 in the Second Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, before then bowing out against Betfred Super League’s Wakefield Trinity. And most recently, they defeated North Wales 26-18 in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Preliminary Second Round.
Big spenders Hurricanes, who finished fifth in the league standings last year, will be hoping to build on a successful 2024. They will once again play their home fixtures inside the main stadium arena at Alexander Stadium, and as the only professional rugby league team in the region, will be aiming to grow the game and gain exposure.
Another huge opening tie sees Swinton and Whitehaven go head-to-head for the second time this year. They already faced each other once in January, as Haven came away with a 24-12 victory in Round Two of the Challenge Cup.
Their meetings in the 2024 Championship also saw two fierce encounters, with the Cumbrian side emerging victorious on both occasions – 18-6 winners at home, before a 20-22 triumph away at Heywood Road.
Can Swinton finally break the cycle?
It’s set to be a blockbuster battle when Rochdale Hornets host Keighley Cougars. It's a contest between last year's 2nd and 3rd, with both sides out for blood following their unsuccessful Play-Off runs last September. They will both be looking to go one better in 2025, but which side will get off to a winning start in Round 1?
This fixture has cooked up a series of tight encounters over the past few years – most recently the Cougars’ intense 26-22 victory in the Qualifying Semi-Final.
Elsewhere, Dewsbury Rams and North Wales Crusaders will meet for the first time since 2023, whilst Workington host Cornwall – where both sides will be looking for better seasons in 2025.
Which Betfred League One Round 1 fixture are you most looking forward to?
Betfred League One Round 1 fixtures:
Goole Vikings v Midlands Hurricanes
Swinton Lions v Whitehaven RLFC
Rochdale Hornets v Keighley Cougars
Dewsbury Rams v North Wales Crusaders
Workington Town v Cornwall RLFC
For the first time in 2025 Rugby League fans can play the Betfred League One Predictor - make your predictions on the Rugby League website here or in the Our League app now! Download the Our League app on iOS or on Android to start playing!
The Betfred League One full fixture list can be found here.
