After more than a decade in the rugby league wilderness, the Bradford Bulls roared back into Super League action on Saturday night, taking on Hull FC in a pulsating opener at the MKM Stadium. For the Bulls, this was no ordinary match—it marked the end of a 4,172-day exile from the top flight, a period during which one of rugby league’s most storied clubs endured relegation, financial turmoil, and even a stint in the third tier. Yet, as over 16,000 fans packed into Hull’s home ground, it was clear Bradford’s return was about more than nostalgia—it was about proving they still belong among the elite.
From the outset, the encounter had all the ingredients of a classic. Bradford, promoted via the controversial IMG grading system after finishing third in the Championship last season, showed no sign of nerves. The Bulls struck first, with Fijian international Waqa Blake bursting through the Hull defense just six minutes in to notch the first try of their new era. For Bulls fans, it was a moment to savor—the first Super League try since Manese Manuokafoa’s effort way back in September 2014.
But Hull FC, seventh-place finishers last season and eager to avoid an opening night upset, responded quickly. Will Pryce, the talented fullback, created a moment of magic—breaking through the Bulls’ lines and grubber kicking for Joe Batchelor to level the scores ten minutes later. The see-saw battle continued, with former Hull man Connor Wynne restoring Bradford’s lead before Harvey Barron replied for the hosts. Pryce’s reliable boot nudged Hull ahead 12-10, and Davy Litten’s try on the left wing extended their advantage to 18-10 at the break.
Yet, if anyone thought Bradford would fade in the second half, they were sorely mistaken. The Bulls came out firing, and within six minutes of the restart, they had seized the momentum. Rowan Milnes, who would finish with four goals on the night, converted two penalty goals—one following a high tackle by Hull’s Aidan Sezer—to put Bradford 20-18 in front with less than 20 minutes to play. The away section erupted; could the Bulls really pull off a fairy-tale return?
Hull, however, were not about to let the script be rewritten so easily. A penalty in front of the posts gave Pryce the chance to tie things up at 20-20 with ten minutes remaining. The tension was palpable. Bradford pressed hard, gaining great field position after a goal-line dropout, but a costly knock-on halted their attack. With just three minutes left, Hull’s nerves held. A slick passing move found Pryce in space, and his drop-goal from 30 meters out edged the hosts ahead 21-20. The Bulls, so close to a famous result, were now chasing the game.
As the seconds ticked away, Hull delivered the final blow. Cade Cust, coming off the bench, crashed over the line to seal a dramatic 27-20 win for the home side, leaving the Bulls to reflect on what might have been. For Hull, relief mixed with satisfaction. As coach John Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside, “Everyone outside the group just thought it was turn up and win but inside the group we knew that wasn’t going to be the case. We provided a great atmosphere but these early season games are dangerous—no matter who you play.” Cartwright praised key defensive efforts by Lewis Martin and Will Pryce, noting, “If they had scored in those it would probably have been game over.”
Bradford’s head coach Kurt Haggerty, who took over from club legend Brian Noble after guiding Salford Red Devils through their own recent turbulence, was quick to channel his squad’s frustration into motivation. “I have just spoken to the group and I don’t want [us] to be happy just because we’ve come here and had a really good go against Hull FC, I want us to be frustrated that we had done enough to win the game,” Haggerty told BBC Radio Leeds. “It is a very disappointed changing room in there. They believed they could win the game when we came here and after the game they believed they could have won the game so we will take a lot of positives but I want it to sting a little bit.”
Haggerty also highlighted the need for clinical execution, reflecting on missed opportunities in the second half. “Not executing off the back of the line breaks is what cost us in the end. Ultimately we play a style of rugby that will create opportunities. So when you make so many line breaks in the second half you have to execute those moments.” The Bulls’ return was not without setbacks, as both Jayden Okunbor and Dan Russell picked up injuries that the physios deemed “pretty serious.” Haggerty promised further updates as the club assessed the extent of the damage.
The 2026 Super League season, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has already delivered drama in spades. The league’s expansion to 14 teams for the first time since 2014 has injected new life, with Bradford joined by Toulouse Olympique—another former top-flight side making a comeback—and debutants York Knights. The regular season format has been revamped, eliminating the unpopular loop fixtures in favor of a balanced schedule: 13 home games, 13 away, and one Magic Weekend at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The competition is fierce, and with the Rugby League World Cup looming in October, every match carries extra significance as England’s hopefuls vie for selection.
For Bradford, the focus quickly shifts to next week’s home opener against Toulouse Olympique at Odsal. Haggerty’s message to the fans is clear: “Strap in. We’re on a rollercoaster of a ride and we need to enjoy the ride and the journey.” After so many years in the shadows, the Bulls are back—and if their opening-night performance is any indication, they intend to make the most of their second chance in Super League.
The road ahead is long, and the challenges are many, but Bradford’s spirited display in Hull has already set the tone for what could be a thrilling campaign. For now, the Bulls and their supporters can hold their heads high, knowing they pushed one of Super League’s established sides to the very brink. The big time suits them just fine.