This Thursday morning, the Super League unveiled the schedule for the 2025 season which will begin on Friday February 14 in Perpignan for the Catalan Dragons who will host Hull FC, before heading to Warrington and Leigh following.
We are there. Three days after the opening of subscriptions on the Gilbert-Brutus side, Dracs supporters can finally plan their season based on the Catalans' matches. As revealed in our columns, the 2025 journey will begin with a Challenge Cup round in England against a Championship or League 1 team (February 8-9).
Like last season, the Catalans will have the chance to open the 2025 season at Gilbert-Brutus against Hull FC. The meeting was brought forward to Friday evening to avoid duplicating the Top 14 meeting, between USAP and Castres at Aimé-Giral.
Wigan, twice at Brutus
This year again, the teams will have to play 27 days until September 21, where Steve McNamara's players will complete the regular season at Hull FC's MKM Stadium. The format identical to other seasons therefore offers four “extra-matches” in addition to the 22 home and away matches and the Newcastle Magic weekend (against Leigh on May 3). Hull FC and Wigan will come to Perpignan twice in 2025, when the Dragons will have to double the dose, on the side of Warrington and Huddersfield. Good news for the Dragons club to welcome fans of Hull FC, but also those of Wigan. The Warriors, holders of the Super League and the Challenge Cup, will come to Brutus on May 24 and August 30.
Three matches in England to end the season
The club was more or less heard regarding its requests and its desire to play on Saturdays at Gilbert-Brutus, to host the Easter weekend (Salford on April 19) and on the fact of balancing receptions and travel during the summer period. Indeed, between the months of July and August, four receptions for four trips are offered to the teammates of captain Benjamin Garcia. Except that the end of the season is terrible and it requires real anticipation on the management side. The Dragons will spend the last three days away, visiting Salford, Leeds and Hull FC. Far from ideal if you need points to qualify and prepare for the play-offs or semi-final. We're not there yet, but this end of the season is far from being to the advantage of the Dragons.
Remember that this season, the club must pay for the travel of its opponents (thirteen matches at Brutus) and the refereeing body (referees and delegates). A sensitive subject on which the Super League must decide between the demands of the clubs and the happy medium to find.
As for the Catalans Dragons, Steve McNamara and his players will complete their second week of preparation tomorrow in Saint-Nazaire with an almost full squad, since only Luke Keary is expected at the start of January.
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