Huddersfield Giants Women announce BWSL Fixtures for 2022

The BWSL has expanded again in 2022, to 12 teams, leading to a decision to split the competition into two groups of six – with one up one down between the groups for 2023.

Giants will be launching the BWSL 2022 season on the weekend of May 15 at home, facing 2021 challenge cup runners York City Knights, for the first battle in Super League.

Alongside the announcement, confirmation that Sky Sports will provide live and exclusive coverage of two regular season matches, to be played on Thursday evenings as double headers with Betfred Super League games, as well as repeating last year’s coverage of the Semi Finals and Grand Final.

There are 10 rounds of fixtures culminating in late August, when the top four in each group will qualify for Semi Finals - followed by a Grand Final which is scheduled for the weekend of September 17-18.

Further details of venues for the Semi Finals, Grand Final and ticket sales will be announced soon – with the BWSL aiming to build on the success of the 2021 Grand Finals day where Giants clinched a two-point victory to claim the BWSL Shield and then saw St Helens beat Leeds Rhinos, all in front of a record crowd of over 4,000, as well as the Sky Sports cameras.

The 2022 campaign will kick off in mid-March with the Giants grouped against Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Milners and Hull FC in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup, with the first three rounds of group matches followed by Quarter Finals on the weekend of April 9-10, the Semi Finals two weeks later, and the Final at Elland Road in Leeds on Saturday May 7.

Helen Falkus, Sky Sports Director of Multi-Sports, said: “We’re delighted to be providing our customers with more live Betfred Women’s Super League matches than ever before with the addition of two regular season games. Showcasing these games as double-headers alongside the men’s Betfred Super League games will provide greater visibility for the women’s game as it continues to grow. We’re proud of our continued commitment to the sport of Rugby League here at Sky Sports and very much look forward to the upcoming season.”

Thomas Brindle, the RFL’s Head of Growth and General Manager of the BWSL, said: “Every season brings significant steps forward for Women’s Rugby League, and confirmation that Sky Sports will show live coverage of two regular season fixtures as well as the Semi Finals and the Grand Final is a great announcement to make as we publish the fixtures.

“Sky’s live coverage of the last two Grand Finals in 2019 and 2021 was a huge boost to the profile and prestige of the BWSL, and this is further evidence of their great support of Women’s Rugby League.

“The decision to split to two groups of six in 2022 has been taken to ensure greater quality as well as quantity, with a focus on England Women’s preparations for the home World Cup at the end of the season."

For a full list of fixtures, click here.