The 2018 SAS Fox Memorial Premiership was launched on Wednesday night, ahead of the new season kicking off this Saturday. 

Held at Bert Henham Park, the home of the newly-promoted Otahuhu Leopards, the evening was attended by players and coaches of all 10 first-division clubs, along with a range of local rugby league dignitaries and representatives from the Auckland Rugby League Board of Directors. 

In addition to the action on the field, 2018 also shapes as a significant one for coverage of the competition, with the Auckland Rugby League to provide more livestream access than ever before, along with new levels of digital content.

ARL general manager Greg Whaiapu said the goal was to give clubs and local players better visibility, while improving the overall fan experience. 

“This year we will be streaming 28 SAS Fox Memorial Premiership games through the regular season, in addition to the finals series, live and free on aucklandleague.co.nz,” Whaiapu said. 

“We have also formed a new partnership with Radio Sport, which will see our competition featured on their Friday breakfast show in the lead up to each round, and advertisements air throughout the week. 

“Fans can also sign up to receive mobile alerts to let them know when a livestream match is about to kick off, and follow all of the action via our website and social media platforms.”

Defending SAS Fox Memorial champions, the Glenora Bears, host the Pt Chevalier Pirates in a grand final-rematch to open the new campaign, with the Konica Minolta Roope Rooster (challenge trophy) and Stormont Shield (champion of champions) up for grabs as well.  

Fans can watch all of the action live on aucklandleague.co.nz, with coverage starting at 2pm and the match kicking off at 2.30pm.

View the full Rd 1 draw here.

2018 ARL Premiership livestream schedule

April 7: Glenora v Pt Chevalier at Harold Moody Reserve - 2.30pm kick-off

April 14: Mangere East v Marist at Walter Massey Park - 2.30pm kick-off

April 21: Howick v Mangere East at Paparoa Park - 2.30pm kick-off

April 28: Northcote v Papakura at Birkenhead War Memorial - 2.30pm kick-off

April 28: (Curtain-raiser) Ponsonby v Manurewa at Birkenhead War Memorial - 12.20pm kick-off

May 5: Mt Albert v Richmond at Fowlds Park - 2.30pm kick-off

May 5: (Curtain-raiser) Otara v Bay Roskill at Fowlds Park - 12.20pm kick-off

May 12: Otahuhu v Mt Albert at Bert Henham Park - 2.30pm kick-off

May 12: (Curtain-raiser) Papatoetoe v Ellerslie at Bert Henham Park - 12.20pm kick-off

May 19: Pt Chevalier v Marist at Walker Park - 2.30pm kick-off

May 19: (Curtain-raiser) Pakuranga v Franklin at Walker Park - 12.20pm

May 26: Otahuhu v Papakura at Prince Edward Park - 2.30pm kick-off

May 26: (Curtain-raiser) Te Atatu v Manukau at Prince Edward Park - 12.20pm

June 9: Marist v Richmond at Murray Halberg Park - 2.30pm kick-off

June 9: (Curtain-raiser) Northcote v Otahuhu at Murray Halberg Park - 12.20pm kick-off

June 16: Pt Chevalier v Glenora at Walker Park - 2.30pm kick-off

June 16: (Curtain-raiser) Mt Albert v Papakura at Walker Park - 12.20pm kick-off

June 23: Richmond v Pt Chevalier at Grey Lynn Park - 2.30pm kick-off

June 23: (Curtain-raiser) Northcote v Mt Albert at Grey Lynn Park - 12.20pm kick-off

June 30: Otahuhu v Richmond at Bert Henham Park - 2.30pm kick-off

June 30: (Curtain-raiser) Glenora v Northcote at Bert Henham Park - 12.20pm kick-off

July 7: Howick v Mt Albert at Paparoa Park - 2.30pm kick-off

July 7: (Curtain-raiser) Mangere East v Richmond at Paparoa Park - 12.20pm kick-off

July 14: Northcote v Pt Chevalier at Birkenhead War Memorial - 2.30pm kick-off

July 14: (Curtain-raiser) Marist v Papakura at Birkenhead War Memorial - 12.20pm kick-off

July 21: Papakura v Howick at Prince Edward Park - 2.30pm kick-off

July 21: (Curtain-raiser) Richmond v Glenora at Prince Edward Park - 12.20pm kick-off

July 28: Mangere East v Mt Albert at Walter Massey Park - 2.30pm kick-off

July 28: (Curtain-raiser) Papakura v Richmond at Walter Massey Park - 12.20pm kick-off

August 4: Glenora v Mangere East Hawks at Harold Moody Reserve - 2.30pm kick-off

August 4:(Curtain-raiser) Mt Albert v Pt Chevalier at Harold Moody Reserve - 12.20pm kick-off

August 11: Mt Albert v Glenora at Fowlds Park - 2.30pm kick-off

August 11: (Curtain-raiser) Howick v Pt Chevalier at Fowlds Park - 12.20pm kick-off