Rovers played York Knights in the inaugural Amsterdam Challenge in 2025
Hull KR and York Knights walk out for kick-off in Amsterdam back in 2025
Hull KR have shelved plans to return to Amsterdam next year as they prepare themselves for the start of a new era with a different head coach.
Rovers made to the trip to the Netherlands in 2025 after agreeing to play York Knights in a pre-season friendly on the continent. The trip was deemed to be a success too, with KR fans travelling across the North Sea in their numbers to watch their side against York, who ran out eventual winners over a young team.
The World Club Challenge and the trip to Las Vegas ensured the Robins didn’t return to Amsterdam in 2026 and at this present time it seems a trip over to the Netherlands in 2027 won’t happen either.
In fact, KR are keen to avoid booking anything in for early next season. A pre-season clash in the Netherlands would provide supporters with something to look forward to next season, but it also makes for a tougher build up to the season, particularly coming off the back of a World Cup.
KR can expect a handful of their current stars to travel down under for the World Cup at the end of the season and those involved wouldn’t be looking at returning to the club for training until late December or early January, depending on how far they progress in the tournament
Amsterdam would only add more stress to pre-season then particularly as Willie Peters’ successor, who is yet to be appointed, strives to hit the ground running.
The trip would be a big financial commitment for the club too, and as a result, the Amsterdam Challenge seems to be on the backburner at Craven Park for now.
Of course, there is still the possibility of being involved in next year’s World Club Challenge but the knock on impact of qualifying for such a game is a bridge KR will cross if they get there.
That’s not to say that KR would be adverse to taking games abroad down the line, though.
After giving up a home game to play in Las Vegas, it’s unlikely that they would want to be the home team anywhere other than at Craven Park.
Providing the opposition for another team is something they would consider it seems, particularly with Catalans Dragons set to take at least some games on the road next season while their new stand at Stade Gilbert Brutus is built.
Following on from Las Vegas, Super League teams have been keen to take matches to neutral venues, with Catalans taking on Wigan Warriors in Paris just last week. Wigan will be heading to Dublin next year, too, alongside Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity as part of a double header in the Irish capital.
KR would consider that in time, but as they prepare themselves for life after Willie Peters, they won’t be heading to Amsterdam.