THE fixture list is out and Warrington Wolves fans can now start planning their 2024 calendar around their team's matches.
With a few fixtures having been drip-fed throughout the week, the full 27-round schedule was revealed this morning, 86 days until the campaign gets underway in Perpignan against Catalans Dragons
> REVEALED: Warrington Wolves' 2024 fixture list in full
We took a closer look at the schedule and spotted a few talking points to share with you...
Burgess’ baptism of fire
If The Wire’s new coach was looking to ease his way into the job with a more straightforward fixture, he has not got his wish.
Games do not come much tougher than a trip to Perpignan, putting a significant roadblock in Burgess’ way as he looks to hit the ground running.
While the Catalans squad has undergone something of an overhaul following defeat to Wigan in this year’s Grand Final, it would be a major surprise if Steve McNamara’s side were not competing for honours once again in 2024.
That said, a win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus – they were victorious twice there in 2023, remember – would well and truly get the new era off the ground.
An initial burst of home comforts
As a head coach at least, Burgess has only seen The Halliwell Jones Stadium empty.
That will change come February and initially at least, he will have plenty of opportunities to see his new home in all its glory.
Six of Warrington’s first 11 Super League matches are home fixtures, meaning almost half of their games on their own turf will have been burned by early May.
To complete the slightly imbalanced look to the schedule, six of Wire’s final 10 regular-season games are away from home, with another on “neutral” ground against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road for Magic Weekend.
A long wait to meet the neighbours
Daryl Powell found no joy in them, will that change under Burgess?
We are, of course, talking about games St Helens and Wigan Warriors – the nearest and dearest, matches against whom being where Wire players and head coaches are ultimately judged.
However, Burgess and his players will not bump into either side until Wigan visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium on June 1. For a meeting with Saints, they will have to wait until a trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium on July 19.
To put that into some kind of context, Wire will have played both Hull clubs twice and Catalans three times before they face one of their local rivals.
Of course, that gives the team a bit of a running jump into the “pressure games” but as we saw last year, judgement is reserved among many until these kinds of tests.
A season-defining three weeks?
Depending on Wire’s progress, the period at the end of May and the start of June could well prove to be season-defining.
Should they make it that far, the Challenge Cup semi-finals are set for May 18-19, which would be followed immediately by the year’s second trip to Perpignan on May 25. A week later, Wigan Warriors visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
After that? Either a fortnight’s break or the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on June 8.
A short wait for newest ground
London Broncos’ return to Super League means Wire fans will have a new ground to visit in the shape of the Cherry Red Records Stadium – the nearly-new home the Broncos share with football club AFC Wimbledon.
And they will not have to wait long to go, with the first of two scheduled trips to the capital slated for Sunday, March 17.
The second arrives in the summer, with the sides due to meet again in Round 21 on Sunday, August 11.
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