Roughyeds fans in for a treat

Oldham season-ticket holders will receive access codes, direct from the club, ahead of the first fixture

With rugby league fans desperate to watch Challenge Cup and Championship action after a year-long shut-down, Oldham supporters are in for an online treat.

In anticipation of early-season games being played behind closed doors, the RFL has confirmed that Roughyeds' first-round Betfred Challenge Cup tie against League 1 side Barrow Raiders will now be played on Saturday, March 20  (12.45pm kick-off) and streamed live on Our League.

Two weeks later, on Good Friday, April 2, Roughyeds will clash with derby rivals Swinton Lions at Bower Fold (5.15pm) on the opening day of the new Betfred Championship campaign.

Both games will be streamed live on Our League, free to home season-ticket holders.

Other fans can take advantage of an Early Bird £4.95-per-game offer, compared with £10 if they pay on the day. 

Also available, for fans who wish to watch all, or most, other games over the two weekends in question, are Day passes for £15 and Weekend passes for £20.

Oldham, like all clubs, will be relying on big viewing figures, given that Covid protocols and behind-closed-doors rugby brings considerable extra costs - with no income through the turnstiles - at a time when they have had no games for a year with little or no income.

Moreover, clubs have to underwrite all broadcasting costs.

They take 90 per cent of any profit, but it is still regarded as essential to their financial well-being that the online initiative proves popular with supporters.

Season-ticket holders will receive access codes, direct from the club, ahead of the first fixture.

For Our League access information and for the full fixture lists covering the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup and the opening weekend of the Betfred Championship over Easter, go to the Oldham RL website and follow the links.

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