The 2026 Championship season is set to be an exciting journey for the Widnes Vikings, and the fixture list has just been unveiled! But will the Vikings conquer the challenges ahead?
The team kicks off their campaign with a challenging away game against the London Broncos on January 18th, a Sunday afternoon clash that will set the tone for the season. And here's where it gets intriguing: the Vikings will then host the North Wales Crusaders on February 1st, marking the first home game of the season at the DCBL Stadium.
This year's Championship has expanded to a massive 21 teams, and the Vikings will face 12 of them in home and away fixtures, totaling 24 games. But wait, there's a twist! Due to the odd number of teams, the Vikings will have two 'bye' weeks during the regular season, giving them a chance to rest and regroup.
Season ticket holders, take note! The early bird deadline has been extended, so grab your tickets now (https://widnesvikings.co.uk/2025-season-tickets/). You won't want to miss out on the action as the Vikings battle for a top-10 spot, securing their place in the play-offs.
A highly anticipated fixture is the away game against the Salford Red Devils on May 8th, a Friday night showdown that promises to be electric. The Vikings haven't faced the Red Devils in the league since 2018, so this encounter is sure to be a highlight. The return fixture at the DCBL Stadium is also scheduled for a Friday night, on July 24th.
Friday night lights will shine on two other occasions, with Oldham visiting on June 26th and the Salford Red Devils returning for the aforementioned clash. But that's not all—the Vikings will also host a Saturday evening game against Barrow Raiders on July 18th, adding a unique twist to the schedule.
The full fixture list is as follows, with each game promising its own brand of excitement:
- Sun 18 Jan - London Broncos - Away - 3pm
- Sun 1 Feb - North Wales Crusaders - Home - 3pm
- Sun 15 Feb - Workington Town - Away - 3pm
- Fri 20 Feb - Oldham - Away - 7:45pm
- Bye week
- Sun 8 Mar - Hunslet - Home - 3pm
- Sun 22 Mar - Doncaster - Away - 3pm
- Sun 29 Mar - Featherstone Rovers - Home - 3pm
- Fri 3 Apr - Barrow Raiders - Away - 3pm
- Sun 12 Apr - Dewsbury Rams - Away - 3pm
- Sun 26 Apr - Halifax Panthers - Home - 3pm
- Sun 3 May - Sheffield Eagles - Home - 3pm
- Fri 8 May - Salford Red Devils - Away - 8pm
- Bye week
- Sun 7 Jun - Dewsbury Rams - Home - 3pm
- Sun 14 Jun - Doncaster - Home - 3pm
- Sun 21 Jun - Hunslet - Away - 3pm
- Fri 26 Jun - Oldham - Home - 7:30pm
- Sun 12 Jul - North Wales Crusaders - Away - 3pm
- Sat 18 Jul - Barrow Raiders - Home - 5pm
- Sun 24 Jul - Salford Red Devils - Home - 7:30pm
- Sun 2 Aug - London Broncos - Home - 3pm
- Sun 9 Aug - Featherstone Rovers - Away - 3pm
- Sun 16 Aug - Halifax Panthers - Away - 3pm
- Sun 23 Aug - Workington Town - Home - 3pm
- Sun 30 Aug - Sheffield Eagles - Away - 3pm
And there you have it, the Vikings' 2026 Championship journey laid out. Will they rise to the challenge and secure a play-off spot? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: it's going to be an exhilarating ride!
What are your predictions for the Vikings' performance this season? Do you think they'll make the play-offs? Share your thoughts and let's spark some friendly debate!
