Championship’s Summer Bash in Blackpool is cancelled

The Rugby Football League and the Betfred Championship have confirmed that the 2020 Betfred Championship Summer Bash has been cancelled.

The Summer Bash was scheduled as a 27th round of fixtures, and was due to take place at Blackpool FC on the weekend of May 30-31, with Halifax due to take on York City Knights over that weekend.

In a statement on Halifax’s website, the club said: “With all Rugby League activity currently suspended, the RFL and the clubs have agreed there is no realistic prospect of staging the event as planned this year – and that it is best to make the decision now for the clarity of clubs, players, supporters and other stakeholders.

“The concept of a round of fixtures being played at a single venue at some stage in 2020 – whether in the Betfred Championship and/or League 1, or the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup – remains one of the possibilities in the wide variety of options in the contingency planning being considered by the RFL and the clubs.

“Supporters who have bought tickets for the Summer

Bash in Blackpool from the RFL will be contacted directly and will now be entitled to a credit for a ticket to another major Rugby League event this year or in 2021, including the Rugby League World Cup or to a full refund – details can be found at https://www.rugby-league. com/covid_19_coronavirus_ ticketing_faqs.

“Those supporters

who bought tickets from clubs should contact the relevant club about refund arrangements.”

Super League’s Magic Weekend has also been cancelled, but could still take place this year.

Organisers intend to keep the event, which was scheduled for May 23 and 24, in the schedule for 2020, possibly at a different venue.