2024 MATCHDAY EXPERIENCES ANNOUNCED

Match Day Experiences Announced in partnership with Premier Kia

Following on from a successful summer of home fixtures last season, where a number of new and returning initiatives where trialled, we are delighted to unveil plans for a much improved Matchday Experience for our supporters in 2024.

As the club strives to develop on and off the field, a particular focus has been given to our match day experience and specifically this eagerly anticipated 2024 season, which promises to be a year like no other.

Themed rounds in partnership with our principal club sponsor Premier Kia offer an alternative narrative to the day, allowing the entire Borough and our wider communities to come along and celebrate causes and subjects as well as opportunities to broaden the exposure of our growing Hornets brand.

Sunday 21^st January (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Oldham RLFC

Theme: Law Cup

Match Sponsor: Pennine Flooring

Matchball Sponsor: Sporting Image

Associate Sponsor: Jones & Brooks Ltd.

The annual 'Law Cup' returns to the Crown Oil Arena for the first time since 2020, where we meet big-spending neighbours Oldham in the first of four meetings of the year. Oldham are the current holders, having won 18-14 at the Vestacare Stadium in January 2023. Tickets have already surpassed the 800 mark, and is on course to be the highest attendance Law Cup fixture in over a decade.

Sunday 4th February (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Halifax Panthers

Theme: Battle of the Pennines

Match Sponsor: Pennine Flooring

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£750 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

The 'Battle of the Pennines' gets our competitive season underway, as we face Championship Halifax Panthers in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Group Stage. Halifax are the reigning champions, having beaten Batley 12-10 at Wembley in August. It renews a long-standing geographical rivalry with Fax and it will be the first meeting between the sides at the Crown Oil Arena, since April 2019, where Hornets were down 18-22 at Half Time before losing out 24-48 at the final whistle.

Sunday 24th March (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Hunslet RLFC

Theme: Retro Day

Match Sponsor: Boro Heating

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

Post Match Event: Race Night (Hosted by All Hornets Supporters Association)

'Retro Day' Rochdale Hornets rich history and heritage will be celebrated in our 'Retro Day', which will kick off our Home League One fixtures when we take on Hunslet RLFC. It's a heritage match like no other, which both clubs sharing almost 300 years of history between them. Both clubs are founding members of the Northern Union back in 1895. Supporters from both clubs are encouraged to show their colours and sport their favourite jerseys of the past in what is sure to be a Sunday afternoon of summer family fun.

Sunday 14th April (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Newcastle Thunder

Theme: Eco Day

Match Sponsor: Available (£750 + VAT)

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

'Eco Day' Rochdale Hornets are proud to welcome a new initiative, where we can highlight and educate on the ongoing climate and environmental changes and will be celebrated in our 'Eco Day'. On matchday, we will be running initiatives where the club and it's supporters can reduce our Carbon Footprints for the good of the planet. Supporters from both clubs are encouraged to get involved and take part where possible.

Sunday 28th April (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Keighley Cougars

Theme: Blue Light Day

Match Sponsor: Bill's Girls

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: AAA Pest Control

'Blue Lights Day' returns in 2024, following a successful engagement with representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service earlier this year. We will be delighted to welcome more of our Blue Light workers to the match. There’s going to be lots of attractions to enjoy on the day and we’re seeing this as the perfect opportunity to introduce people to real-life heroes, both on and off the field.

Sunday 5th May (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Cornwall RLFC

Theme: Superhero Day

Match Sponsor: Available (£750 + VAT)

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

Post Match Event: Bingo Night & Play Your Cards Right (Hosted by All Hornets Supporters Association)

'Superhero Day' is a new theme event for Rugby League, and will see us embrace the Superhero world in and around the stadium on matchweek, with plenty of fun initiatives for the whole family. We encourage all supporters to embrace the day and get involved. Prize givings will be awarded for the best Fancy Dress.

Sunday 19th May (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Workington Town

Theme: Fiji Day

Match Sponsor: Bapp Bolts

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

'Fiji Day' will return in 2024, following an extremely successful event earlier this year. In 2023, 'Fiji Day" formed part of the our Sporting Foundation's Fiji Project, Bula Rochdale and celebrated a connection which first began in the 1960s when Hornets welcomed two Fijians to their side – Joe Levula and Dawai. More than 9,000 miles separate Rochdale and Fiji and yet for many living on the tiny pacific island, Rochdale is considered a second home. In 2024, we look to continue the tradition and make the event a annual tradition to ensure the Fijian legacy is continued indefinitely. Don't forget to check out the outstanding video created for the Bula Rochdale project here: Rochdale Hornets x Fiji Rugby League Connection (youtube.com)

Sunday 21st July (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Midlands Hurricanes

Theme: Family Day

Match Sponsor: Richard Alexander Brown

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

'Family Day' Following eight weeks away from home, we will return Home following the completion of summer field maintenance to face Midlands Hurricanes in our 'Family Day' event, where there will be engagement opportunities for new and existing family supporters to interact with the club. Further initiatives will be run on matchday, with Hoopers' Hive creating an entertainment swarm for our young supporters.

Sunday 28th July (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Oldham RLFC

Theme: Derby Day

Match Sponsor: RC Solutions Pitch Care

Matchball Sponsor: Houseman Environmental

Associate Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Post Match Event: Quiz Night (Hosted by All Hornets Supporters Association)

'Derby Day' A mouthwatering clash with our big spending arch-rivals Oldham rivals any other rugby league derby for passion. We are delighted to announce that the full main stand will be fully open, and we will be aiming for a sell out, with provisions being made to ensure an expected large crowd can be accommodated comfortably. Ticketing and further information will be made available in due course. Please note there are only a limited number of boxes and hospitality tables and packages remaining for this fixture due to a high demand and healthy advance sales.

Sunday 4th August (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Cornwall RLFC

Theme: Olympic Day

Match Sponsor: Available (£750 + VAT)

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£250 + VAT)

'Olympic Day' is a new theme event for Rugby League. During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, we will host Cornwall for the second time this season, and acknowledge the international achievements and history of the club. From England to Wales, Jamaica, Netherlands, Fiji & beyond! There will be plenty of fun cultural initiatives and activities for the whole family. We encourage all supporters to embrace the day and get involved. Prize givings will be awarded for the best Fancy Dress.

Sunday 25th August (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. North Wales Crusaders

Theme: Armed Forces Day

Match Sponsor: D Turner & Son

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

'Armed Forces Day' will return to the Crown Oil Arena for the first time since February 2020, when we hosting the Army in the Challenge Cup Round 4. It will be a day where the club & supporters can pay tribute and respects to all service personnel, both past & present for their notable work for our nation. Their will be ticket initiatives for all of our Armed Forces, and we take pride in welcoming them all down for our clash against North Wales Crusaders.

Sunday 1st September (3pm Kick Off)

Rochdale Hornets vs. Keighley Cougars

Theme: Carnival Day

Match Sponsor: Old Rochdalians

Matchball Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Associate Sponsor: Available (£500 + VAT)

Post Match Event: Race Night (Hosted by All Hornets Supporters Association)

'Carnival Day' is a new theme event for Rugby League, and will complete the League One regular season as we open the full stand. We will embrace the Carnvial environment in and around the stadium on matchweek, with plenty of fun initiatives for the whole family. We encourage all supporters to embrace the day and get involved. Prize givings will be awarded for the best Fancy Dress.

As part of the matchday experience, we will be bringing back Hospitality Dining experience at ALL home matches in 2024, in partnership with Scratch Catering. Bookings are now being taken for a day in hospitality. 2-Course Meal, Half Time treat, Table Service, Padded Seat & Complimentary Tea/Coffee for just £45 per person, or £30 Season Ticket upgrade.

We will also be launching our new Kids Zone - Hoopers' Hive - where kids can play, socialise and interact in their own dedicated area, designed to welcome more families to the stadium to support the team on matchday.

General Manager Matt Rigby said: "We are delighted to announce that all twelve of our home matches will have their own dedicated exciting themes, where there will be a brand new feel to our matchdays. Events which include entertainment, pre-match, half-time & post match activities and much much more for the whole family and local community. We will have some some fantastic offers & initiatives to roll out as part of these themed game days along with some special guests. It will be a year like no other, and one that hasn't been seen in Rochdale for a number of years. All this and more will be wrapped around some really exciting home fixtures and some very meaningful games as Gary and the team make the push to be at the right end of the table. We’re taking pride in really ramping up our game day experience and I look forward to meeting so many people from our community. I would like to thank all the staff at Rochdale AFC for their support in making this happen, as a supporter of both clubs and as a proud Rochdalian, I look forward to a future that will hopefully see both of Rochdale's professional sports clubs thriving and wherever possible working collaboratively. We're delighted to continue working closely and in partnership with Premier Kia, with an increased presence on matchdays and continued support to bring the matchdays to life."

Join the Swarm for 2024, purchase your season ticket now & get behind Gary and the team! Here: Rochdale Hornets RLFC (hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk)