Club update: Monday 19 October

As we bring the 2026 season to a close and begin preparations for another exciting year ahead, Rochdale Hornets can provide a number of off-field updates.

Firstly, the club offices will close for staff annual leave from Monday 26 October, reopening on Tuesday 24 November.

Before the closure, we will be hosting a supporters’ drop-in session on Friday 23 October between 10am-3pm at the Crown Oil Arena reception, providing an opportunity for supporters to visit in-person ahead of the off-season break.

The session will be available for anyone wishing to purchase their 2027 season tickets, discuss commercial and sponsorship opportunities, or collect their sponsored 2026 shirt.

2027 season tickets are now on sale, with supporters able to purchase online or in-person during the drop-in session. 

We would encourage supporters to take advantage of the opportunity to secure their place for the new season and continue their support for the club as we prepare for another year in the Championship.

Recruitment and preparations for 2027

With the men’s squad set to return to pre-season training in a matter of weeks, preparations for the 2027 campaign are gathering pace. 

Chairman Andy Mazey and head coach Gary Thornton continue to work hard behind the scenes to strengthen the squad, with further player announcements expected in the coming weeks as the club builds towards the new season.

Alongside recruitment, we remain in regular dialogue with the RFL and fellow Championship clubs as we seek further clarity on the competition structure and fixture list for the 2027 season.

We recognise the importance of this information to our supporters, sponsors, players and wider stakeholders. Once further details are confirmed, we will communicate updates accordingly and provide clarity as soon as possible.

2027 kit launch confirmed

Looking further ahead, we are pleased to confirm that the official launch of our 2027 men’s, women’s and wheelchair team kits will take place on Friday 27 November at ICON Sports.

The launch will provide an opportunity to showcase our new designs, ahead of what promises to be another exciting year for all three teams. Further details will be communicated in due course.

Hornets heading Down Under for the World Cup

While the club offices will be closed, our media channels will remain active, with general manager Matt Rigby heading to Australia for the Rugby League World Cup.

The trip will provide an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Premier Kia Rochdale and Kia Rockdale City, with an exciting programme of exclusive content planned from Down Under.

The club would also like to take this opportunity to wish Pete Hird, Rochdale Hornets’ sole representative at the Rugby League World Cup, the very best of luck as he takes on the role of team manager for Scotland Wheelchair Rugby League.

Pete’s involvement is a fantastic achievement and a source of pride for the club, reflecting the contribution of Rochdale Hornets personnel to the international game. Everyone at the club wishes Pete and the Scotland squad every success throughout the tournament.

On the international front, it has also been fantastic to see Ross Whitmore, Oli Whitford, Hiske Blom, Lisa Berding, Eva Peroti and Fiona Kalf feature for their respective nations over the weekend.

Valued members of our backroom team, Lyndsey Watkins and Curtis Exley, were also involved with the Ireland national team for their Celtic Cup fixture against Scotland.

The involvement of our players and staff is a testament to the talent, dedication and commitment across our men’s, women’s and wheelchair programmes, and everyone at the club is incredibly proud of their achievements.

Matt Rigby said: “The off-season is always an important period for the club, giving our staff the opportunity to take some well-earned annual leave before we turn our attention to preparations for 2027.

“Although the offices will be closed for a few weeks, supporters can rest assured that our media channels will remain active. I’m particularly looking forward to bringing everyone some exclusive content from Australia during the World Cup, working in partnership with Premier Kia Rochdale and Kia Rockdale City.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect Rochdale Hornets with our partners on the other side of the world, showcase the club to a wider audience, and give our supporters something different to enjoy during the off-season.

“There is plenty happening behind the scenes, from Andy and GT’s continued recruitment work to planning for next season and awaiting further clarity on the Championship structure and fixtures. We will keep our supporters informed as more information becomes available.

“I’d also like to wish Pete Hird all the very best with Scotland. Having a Hornets representative involved at the World Cup is something we can all be proud of, and I hope he has a fantastic experience.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the club throughout 2026. We look forward to launching our new kits in November, and building towards another exciting season for all three teams.”

During the office closure, supporters are encouraged to continue following the club’s official website and social media channels for the latest news, recruitment announcements and exclusive content.

We would like to thank all our supporters, sponsors, partners and volunteers for their continued backing throughout the 2026 season, and look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Key dates

Friday 23 October, 10am–3pm: Supporters’ drop-in session (season tickets, sponsorship enquiries and sponsored shirt collection)
Monday 26 October: Club offices close
Tuesday 24 November: Club offices reopen
Friday 27 November: 2027 men’s, women’s and wheelchair kit launch at ICON Sports

Sponsor shoutout

Thank you to all of our sponsors who have already committed for 2027.

Our kit and warm-up shirts are complete, but there are still opportunities to become a player, match or digital sponsor. Get in touch to find out more.

Call: 01706 648004
Email: matt.rigby@hornetsrugbyleague.com