All this anticipation of the impending start of Super League; and the new entrance of a team from North America into the league, will have people reaching for the remote. So we are here to help out with a Toronto Rugby League fans viewers guide.
While an overview at best, this user-friendly detailed look at some of the North American providers and options, can assist new and existing fans of League to get a chance to watch the games. To know who to order matches through, or to search for. For the Wolfpack, as well as supporting Super League and rugby league related shows.
The Toronto Wolfpack v Castleford Tigers match kicks-off on Sunday, February. 2.
— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) January 28, 2020
They will be the first of two double-header matches. The ‘new boys’ Toronto faces Castleford in the opening half, and the home team provides the second course.
Leanne Flynn of the Leeds Rhinos website states the second game between the Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC will be a huge fixture. People in Leeds can watch both games for one price. And the matches will be broadcast widely, in primetime viewing timeslots across Great Britain.
So if you are across the Atlantic, where and how do you support your Wolfpack team?
Where to watch Wolfpack v Tigers in North America
Toronto Wolfpack confirms in a media statement that fans in Canada will be able to ‘watch the Club’s historic Super League debut against Castleford Tigers live on Sportsnet World and Sportsnet Now+’.
This agreement will also see the round three fixture on February 13, at the home of Wigan Warriors broadcast live in Canada. This Sunday’s game will air at 9:30am ET
Fans will have the option of watching at home on Sportsnet or, they can surround themselves with fellow supporters thanks to the confirmation of a viewing party at Wolfpack partner Northern Maverick Brewing Co.
This Sunday – February 2nd – marks the Season Opener for @TOwolfpack and we’re celebrating the occasion with our first Watch Party of the year. Join us at 9AM to cheer on the team. We’ll be offering traditional English Breakfast, alongside $5 Lager and shots of Tullamore. 🏉🍺 pic.twitter.com/4RnYFLByE1
— Northern Maverick (@NorthernMavBeer) January 31, 2020
Search your local provider for a Sportsnet service. If not through cable subscription, then the increasing service of online streaming may be available. Hook up your SmartTV to receive high definition footage of the opening match on Sunday.
Journalist John Davidson of League Weekly earlier reported that TSN could be the new home for the Toronto Wolfpack. TSN, like Sportsnet, is one of the two main sports channels in Canada (except Quebec). There however has not been anything regarding RDS, the French counterpart of TSN in Quebec. They alongside TVA Sports are one of the two main sports networks in Quebec and French Canada.
After this weeks announcement, Sportsnet World is now expected to show Super League games as they have in previous years. However, Sportsnet World is considered a specialty channel in Canada and not everyone has access to the channel. The last three years Wolfpack games have been shown on GameTV.
A reminder 'Destination SuperLeague’ by @RugbyAM premieres in the U.K. tonight on @FreeSports_TV
NYE – 10pm
NYD / Jan 1 / Jan 2 – 1.30pmFreeview 64
TalkTalk 64
BT TV 64
Sky 422
Virgin 553 (HD)
Freesat 252*Spoiler – We have seen it, it’s great! pic.twitter.com/KXtXkaipjA
— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) December 31, 2019
In real terms, there is still nothing to worry about. Sportsnet World is a channel people can buy easily.
Toronto Rugby League fans viewers guide
In the media statement, Jon Pallett, Toronto Wolfpack Vice President, commented: “While we continue discussions around additional broadcasts, we are delighted our fans in Canada are able to watch the Wolfpack’s opening foray into the Super League stage.”
“A major player in the Canadian sports broadcast market, Sportsnet supported us in carrying our Challenge Cup and Playoff games in 2018 and 2019 and we look forward to working together in 2020.”
For example, the Super League Grand Final between the Salford Red Devils and St. Helens RFC was shown on Sportsnet World last year.
That is across digital viewing platforms. But as sports fans know in this modern era, there are more options available. That includes the league team’s Facebook pages/YouTube channels.
Multiple platforms available to Toronto Rugby League fans
Watching, and now listening to reports on and analysis of the sport, is a large sector of the market. That includes our website, as well as the better around the internet.
Dedicated pages exist, as well as several dedicated shows that are available online.
We talk @TOwolfpack and pre-season with @johnnyddavidson & our man in Toronto @Avry 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wqx3zGqDIJ
— Inside Super League (@InsideSLShow) January 29, 2020
Pundits are a popular sidebar to the sports reporting that Raheem Bashir produces. Pundits give an opinion – more than some fans would prefer – although their pregame information is often must-see viewing.
Search deeper, and more online options can be found. There are forum groups, Facebook pages, and the ever-reliable Rugby League papers. The League Express is one, but search your local newsstand for available print media.
While online, including podcasts and YouTube and Twitter videos, are a plus, most fans still prefer to subscribe to a cable or Satellite service. The best-case scenario is the game being broadcasted on TSN and Sportsnet World.
TSN is one of the two main sports channels in Canada. This deal would be massive for not just the Wolfpack but for Canada as a rugby league country. A sport that at one point did not exist might soon become mainstream in all of Canada.
TSN coverage could the game-changer Canadian rugby league desires
If the game is not on TSN on February 2nd, it will only be a temporary setback. In the long-run, having a deal with TSN would be a game-changer for the rugby league in Canada. It will also set a precedent for other potential Canadian rugby league city viewers from Ottawa.
The prospect of the Ottawa rugby league team – Note: Eric Perez advises the team will not be called the Stags – entering the UK league competition [either in 2021 or later] that will unlock that city’s potential fanbase to also demand mainstream rugby league sports channels be widely available across Canada.
Furthermore, TSN needs more sports coverage. TSN has lost the rights of the National Hockey League (NHL) to Sportsnet and the English Premier League to DAZN. TSN will most likely be keen on getting exclusive coverage of the Toronto Wolfpack.
Sportsnet World can be the forerunner to that coverage, so in your local area ‘hunt out an SW package’ to start with. From there, the options might become wider and easier to find. The cost is unknown, yet if the desire is there, fans will want to watch the Wolfpack. That is on top of the large crowds who fill Lamport Stadium regularly and will continue to do so in 2020.
Most of all ‘BE READY’.
Game 1: Toronto Wolfpack v Castleford Tigers – February 2
“Main photo credit”
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