St.Helens will welcome Leigh Leopards to the BrewDog Stadium in the opening home match of our 2026 season! An exciting match day awaits this Friday, 20th February 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
TICKET & ENTRY INFORMATION
The quickest and easiest method of securing your spot at the BrewDog Stadium is by purchasing your ticket online by visiting eticketing.co.uk/saintsrlfc.
You can secure a digital or ‘Print at Home’ ticket online, saving you time and the need to visit the Ticket Office; however, the Stadium Ticket Office will be open on game day to assist.
SQUAD NEWS
Paul Rowley makes just one change to the 21-man squad he named for Round 1, with Jack Welsby stepping out and Curtis Sironen coming in.
Click the image below to read in full our Round 2 squad news.
Adrian Lam welcomes back into his squad some key men, with centre Umyla Hanley named in the Leigh squad after missing last week’s opening round. Forwards Isaac Liu, Frankie Halton and Aaron Pene are also in the squad following injury issues.
Leigh Leopards 21-man squad vs St.Helens
2. Keanan Brand, 3. Tesi Niu, 4. Umyla Hanley, 5. Josh Charnley, 6. Adam Cook, 7. Lachlan Lam, 8. Joe Ofahengaue, 9. Edwin Ipape, 10. Robbie Mulhern, 11. Frankie Halton, 12. Owen Trout, 13. Isaac Liu, 14. Aaron Pene, 15. Jacob Alick-Wiencke, 16. Matt Davis, 17. Liam Horne, 18. Bailey Hodgson, 19. Innes Senior, 21. Gareth O’Brien, 22. Jack Hughes, 23. Andrew Badrock.
💡 A FAN-TASTIC LIGHT SHOW AWAITS
Together, we are going to Light Up The BrewDog Stadium!
As part of an incredible gameday experience at the BrewDog Stadium, our fan led phone lightshow, first debuted last season vs Warrington, in which fans lead the way by using their smartphone to create a spectacular display.
Following a few easy steps below in advance of the fixture, music played inside the stadium will trigger the flash on your phone camera in unison with other fans to create an incredible spectacle of which you can be part.
All you need to do is follow some steps to get your phone setup before the game – then you’re good to be part of our exciting display!
- No phone signal will be needed
- You can download the app or follow our guide before coming to the ground on Friday night
- Open when prompted on match night at the stadium
CLICK HERE – to find out how you can be part of our fan-led light show and follow the easy guide
MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
As usual, we have a memorable gameday experience in store to launch us into the brand-new season, as new stars in the RedV take to the hallowed turf. Our renowned Light Show is back, plus we have pyros and effects, live music and so much more to add to what will be an incredible atmosphere to kick off our 2026 home season.
Funfair 🎡
Silcocks Funfair will be in place in the area opposite the Superstore and the all-new The Marching Inn Bar.
Stadium DJ 🎶
We have local DJ Sean Sines live in the main bowl from 6:45pm, playing close to kick-off.
The Marching Inn 🍻
The newly renovated bar at the BrewDog Stadium, formerly known as the RedV Bar, is now relaunched as The Marching Inn. It has been fully refitted alongside our new stadium partners BrewDog, and will open its doors for the first time at 5:00pm on gameday. DJ Earl Raff will be playing live in the bar from 6pm onwards, as well as post-match. Club Captain Matty Lees and young prop Noah Stephens will also be dropping in around 7:15pm for an interview and to meet fans!
Live Music 🎸
Local singer Bradley Johnson will also be playing live in the West Stand concourse.
Half Time Challenge 🏉
The Saints’ Half-time Challenge is also back in 2026 thanks to our Club Partners BrewDog and Liverpool John Lennon Airport! For this season we have second challenge alongside our Crossbar Challenge… can you beat the Wingman over 80m?
As part of our brand-new partnership with BrewDog, our second half-time challenge will see a fan race over 80m against the Wingman himself, who will ride along our LED system on the Wingman North Stand Perimeter.
If you can beat him, you win a year’s supply of Wingman Session IPA, courtesy of BrewDog!
*Please note Terms & Conditions apply for this competition and prize. – and please drink responsibly.
THE REST OF THE ACTION THIS WEEK
This week’s rugby league action kicks off with the World Club Challenge between Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos, the winner will be crown the World Club Champions. With the Robins representing the Super League, the Saints wish them well and will be tuned in to watch a thrilling game against the NRL Premier Broncos.
The second round of the Betfred Super League season features three matches on Friday night, followed by two on Saturdaym and finishing off the weekend with one on Sunday.
Thursday
Hull KR vs Brisbane Broncos [WCC] – 7:30pm KO
Friday
Bradford Bulls vs Catalans Dragons – 8pm
Leeds Rhinos vs York Knights – 8pm
Saturday
Toulouse Olympique vs Castleford Tigers – 6pm
Wigan Warriors vs Hull FC – 8pm
Sunday
Huddersfield Giants vs Wakefield Trinity – 3pm
COACH PREVIEW
Reflecting on the defeat to the Wolves, Rowley felt his Saints were competitive in attack but admitted he expects improvement defensively, particularly around the ruck.
With Leigh making a strong start to the new campaign with a home win over Leeds, Rowley knows the Leopards pose threats across the park and will be fired up to travel to our home ground.
Saints TV subscribers can watch Rowley’s full Coach Preview
FOLLOW THE GAME WITH SAINTS
Not joining us at home? Well, we have you covered.
Fans will be updated in full with the Saints’ Live Match Centre – your hub to find out the team news, follow live game updates, see behind-the-scenes photos, and click to read all the key stories of the fixture.
St.Helens’ social media accounts will keep supporters up to date on every key moment, so ensure you are following us!
X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers too.
💪 WRIGHT READY FOR HOME OPENER
Wright says the group are “pumped” to be at the BrewDog Stadium this week, as Saints look to respond after a frustrating outing last time out away at Warrington.
The team showed fight to get back into the game, but a slow start was costly, so the towering Aussie reveals that it has been discussed in training, and the Red V will look to start quicker this week.
Watch the full player preview with Shane on Saints TV
THE RECORD AGAINST LEIGH
The two sides have faced each other fourteen times in the Super League era. The Red V have won four of those meetings, with the Leopards winning six.
Saints’ biggest winning margin over Leigh was a 4-78 victory in 2005, whilst Leigh’s biggest victory over the Red V was a 46-4 win in 2024.
Last ten meetings
Leigh 28, St Helens 10 (SLR26, 12.09.26)
St Helens 4, Leigh 16 (SLR19, 17.07.25)
Leigh 18, St Helens 12 (SLR27, 20.09.24)
Leigh 46, St Helens 4 (SLR19, 26.07.24)
St Helens 12, Leigh 4 (SLR3, 01.03.24)
St Helens 22, Leigh 12 (SLR25, 08.09.23)
Leigh 12, St Helens 10 (CCSF, 22.07.23)
Leigh 20, St Helens 12 (SLR4, 10.03.23)
St Helens 42, Leigh 12 (SLR21, 26.08.21)
Leigh 12, St Helens 22 (SLR5, 30.04.21)
St Helens 28, Leigh 6 (SLR12, 28.04.17)
WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Aaron Moore will be the Referee on Friday night, and he will be assisted by Touch Judges Ryan Cox and Dean Bowmer, as well as Video Referee Chris Kendall.
1̶9̶9̶6̶ 2026 HOME KIT
The Saints’ 206 Home Kit will be worn on Friday night!
Paying homage to the inaugural season of Super League in 1996, this year is 30 years since that momentous campaign during which St.Helens won the League title and a memorable Challenge Cup victory at Wembley.
The kit worn during that season has since become iconic, and a retro favourite amongst Saints fans. Worn by the likes of Steve Prescott MBE, Tommy Martyn, Keiron Cunningham, Chris Joynt, Anthony Sullivan, Bobbie Goulding and Paul Newlove to name but a few.
In celebrating the triumphs of that year, we have launched an updated version of the kit using modern fabrics but retaining the iconic design features from the 90s era.
Get yours online by visiting saintssuperstore.com
PARKING
St Helens Borough Council have provided an update to their usual parking offering for home games.
All Council-run car parks will be free to use from 6pm on match night.
Please click here for more details on Council Car Parking.
SUPPORTER SAFETY
St.Helens R.F.C. want to ensure that everyone who comes to enjoy game days at the BrewDog Stadium can do so in a safe and friendly environment. The Club would like to reiterate to supporters that it operates a zero-tolerance approach to any anti-social behaviour.
Misbehaviours that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to; physical or verbal abuse, violent conduct, missile throwing, excessive alcohol misuse, and any drug use.
Furthermore, the use of pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited under both rugby and football ground regulations. They can cause serious injuries to those who carry them as well as fellow spectators, as well as damage to surfaces such as the playing pitch which can cost clubs thousands of pounds.
St.Helens would also like to encourage parents/guardians of children coming to the ground to ensure they are always aware of what their child is doing and where in the stadium they are at all times.
BAG CHECK
Personal bags of A5 size or smaller only will be permitted in the BrewDog Stadium, and our stewarding staff will check your bags and conduct bag checks upon entry.
We kindly ask supporters to please remain patient and be co-operative with our staff, and we thank you for your understanding.
Bags larger than A5 will only be permitted at the discretion of St.Helens R.F.C. staff if containing essentials for babies, or medical purposes and will be subject to being searched before entry. It is advised to provide Medical Exemption Certificates or proof of eligibility for a Medical Exemption Certificate.
O’Neills branded paper bags from the Saints Superstore will be permitted entry, however they too will be subject to bag checks from our stewarding staff.
Bag-Drop Facility
A Bag-Drop area will be set up at the BrewDog Stadium for any bags that would not be permitted entry. This will be located in the South East corner of the stadium and will be open from two hours before kick-off and will close one hour after full time.
Please note our Bag-Drop facility will cost £3 per bag, and as a cashless venue only debit or credit cards will be accepted. St.Helens R.F.C. accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of items which are left at the owners’ risk, with all bags subject to a search.
TUNE IN TO WATCH LIVE
Friday night’s First Team game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports + from 7:55pm.
