YORK City Knights will kick off their 2021 Betfred Championship season at home to Toulouse Olympique on Good Friday.

The fixture is set to be the Knights’ first competitive match at the LNER Community Stadium.

It is arguably the toughest possible start for York, in a meeting which sees the sides that finished second and third in the 2019 Championship go head to head.

Knights head coach James Ford said of the season opener: “We’re all looking forward to the league campaign and I think the challenge of Toulouse in round one will be immense but one that we’re very excited by.

“The squads across the division are superb and I’m sure the Betfred Championship supporters are in for a real treat.”

At present, fixtures have confirmed dates though matches played behind closed doors will have staggered kick off times and could be played on any day across the weekend.

York City Knights’ 2021 Betfred Championship fixtures (all 3pm kick-offs unless stated):

April 2: Toulouse Olympique (H)

April 18: Sheffield Eagles (H)

April 25: Swinton Lions (A)

May 2: Dewsbury Rams (A)

May 9: Featherstone Rovers (H)

May 16: Widnes Vikings (A)

May 23: Oldham (H)

May 30: Bradford Bulls (A)

June 13: Halifax Panthers (A)

June 20: Batley Bulldogs (H)

June 27: Whitehaven (A)

July 4: Newcastle Thunder (H)

July 11: London Broncos (A)

July 25: Swinton (H)

August 1: Sheffield (A) 4.30pm

August 8: Widnes (H)

August 15: Featherstone (A)

August 22: Whitehaven (H)

August 29: Bradford (H)

September 3: Newcastle (A) 7.45pm

September 11: Toulouse (A) 6pm

September 19: London (H)