Bradford Bulls fell short in their Super League return after 11 years, losing 27-20 to Hull FC in a dramatic season opener. Hull needed a late drop goal from Will Pryce and a final try from Cade Cust to secure victory at the MKM Stadium, denying Bradford their first win back in the top flight after a decade in the wilderness.

The Bulls led 20-18 with eight minutes remaining after Rowan Milnes converted penalties, but Hull's persistence paid off. Pryce's boot kept the home side in contention with five goals, while tries from Batchelor, Barron, Litten and Cust proved decisive for Hull in a match that showcased the competitive nature of the new Super League campaign.

Bradford head coach Kurt Haggerty expressed frustration despite positives, noting "we had done enough to win the game." Hull's John Cartwright acknowledged the difficulty of early season encounters, stating "we knew that wasn't going to be the case" after Hull's previous season-opening loss to York Knights. Both teams showed promise in this tightly contested fixture that set the tone for the season ahead.