RFL Reserves and Academy 2025 

Fixtures have been confirmed for the 2025 Reserves and Academy competitions.

St Helens and Wigan Warriors dominated the two competitions in 2024, with Saints winning the Reserves Grand Final 24-18, and Wigan beating Saints 15-12 in the Academy to claim their first title since 2019. 

The old Lancastrian rivals are certain to be strong again this season, in competitions which will again be played on alternate weekends. 

Both will consist of 12 clubs – the 11 English Super League clubs, plus Bradford Bulls from the Betfred Championship. 
Each competition will have 12 regular season rounds, with Reserves kicking off on the weekend of March 7-9, and Academy two weeks later, on March 21-22.

The competitions will again be played under the restriction on tackle height which was introduced in 2024 as one of the 44 recommendations accepted by the RFL Board – with a legal tackle height limit of arm pit level (i.e. below the shoulder).?  

The opening round fixtures are listed below:

Reserves

Friday March 7 – Bradford Bulls v Hull FC, Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity

Saturday March 8 – Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils, Huddersfield Giants v Wigan Warriors, St Helens v Hull KR

Sunday March 9 – Leigh Leopards v Leeds Rhinos 

Academy

Wednesday March 19 – Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls

Friday March 21 – Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, St Helens v Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC

Saturday March 22 – Hull KR v Leigh Leopards, Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants