Emerald Headingley double-headers seen as a win-win situation for clubs and fans by Leeds Rhinos chief Gary Hetherington

Rhinos have confirmed three dates in 2020 when a brace of first-team games will be staged at the stadium.

Promoted Toronto Wolfpack could give a debut to superstar signing Sonny Bill Williams when they play Castleford Tigers there in Betfred Super League round one on Sunday, February 2, ahead of Rhinos’ season-opener against Hull.

Dewsbury Rams’ home Championship fixture with their tenants Bradford Bulls is scheduled for Headingley on Sunday, June 21, the same day Wakefield Trinity visit Leeds for a Super League derby.

And the ground will host another second-tier clash on Friday, August 7, when Toulouse Olympique meet London Broncos as a warm-up for Rhinos’ meeting with Catalans Dragons.

Toronto are taking three games on the road early in the season when the Canadian weather makes it impossible for them to play at their usual Lamport Stadium base.

The Toulouse-London showdown has been switched to Leeds after the Summer Bash meeting between the teams was rescheduled for the French city. It means both sides will have home advantage once, with their third encounter played on neutral ground.

“Part of the thinking is additional entertainment for the fans,” Hetherington said.

“In the focus stuff the marketing people have done, some of the feedback is that people enjoy pre-match games.

“Quite a lot of people arrive early for games and there is a demand for, particularly, academy games and the women’s team as well. Every home game next year will have a feature to it and most games, certainly as we get into the summer months, will have a pre-match game as part of the programme.”

Sheffield Eagles have yet to confirm a venue for several home games early in the year as Olympic Legacy Park is redeveloped, but Hetherington said it is unlikely more Super League/Championship double-headers will be arranged for 2020.

“I think with what we’ve got planned for the year, we have pretty much got everything in place now,” he said.

As for the future, Hetherington insisted: “We will see how we go first.

“There are logistical challenges, particularly on a Friday night.

“With the academy team and the women’s team, when the opponents are working or at college and they are kicking off at 5.45, it means they have to get there at 4-ish.

“It is not straight-forward and most of our home games are Friday nights.

“For the London and Toulouse game, both squads are full-time so getting there early in not an issue for them but, if it was somebody else, there might be an issue.

“It is not as straight-forward as it might seem, but there is definitely an appetite for pre-match games – competitive games – and it is all adding value to the fans who come to the stadium.”

Doubling up also maximises use of Headingley’s new amenities.

The ground, which will be 130 years old next season and is one of the few surviving original Northern Union venues, has undergone a £40m rebuild and now boasts what Rhinos claim are some of the best facilities in world sport.

Hetherington pointed out: “We have got six changing rooms so we can easily accommodate more than one game.

“The stadium has been designed to accommodate more usage so we can have a curtain-raiser and community usage as well.”

Additional matches will provide extra income through bar and food sales, but the visiting ‘home’ team will receive a share of gate receipts, the Leeds chief confirmed.

He said: “It’s not a straight-forward formula, everybody is different and we deal with them as they come along.

“For example, the Toulouse game – there will be some reciprocal arrangements with us going to play in Toulouse.

“That’s two double-headers, one in France and one at Headingley.

“It is all about maximising the benefits we’ve got with the stadium, addressing requests from our fan base – particularly those who like to get there early – and I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

Hetherington believes moving games to a Super League ground will also raise the profile of the Championship.

He added: “It provides players and fans and officials from clubs in the Championship with an opportunity to be part of a big event.

“I saw some quotes from one of the Dewsbury players saying how much the players themselves are looking forward to coming and being part of a big event and playing at Headingley in front of a big crowd.

“It is a different experience for them, which is great.”