BRADFORD Bulls have been handed the toughest possible start to the 2020 Championship campaign with a clash against relegated London Broncos.

John Kear’s side will kick off their new era at Dewsbury on February 2 against the side who have come down from the Super League.

It will be the first meeting between the clubs since the Broncos romped to a 56-12 win at Odsal in May 2017.

READ MORE: Bulls ready to batten down hatches

The Bulls then face matches against two of last season’s play-off teams in what is shaping up to be a daunting opening month.

They renew the fierce rivalry with York with a debut visit to the Knights’ new community stadium in the first away game.

And then Featherstone, who reached the Million Pound Game before losing in Toronto, are next up at the Tetleys Stadium.

The Bulls will be away for three of the four Championship games in March, including a trip to League One play-off winners Oldham.

Halifax will again provide the opposition on Good Friday – with a five-day break between Easter games before a Wednesday night trip to Widnes

Landlords Dewsbury face the strange prospect of setting up in the away changing room in a Bulls “home” game on April 26.

May looks to be a very challenging period in the newly-released fixture list.

The Bulls begin the month in the south of France, hoping to repeat last year’s thrilling victory over Toulouse, and also have to travel to London. They then face Featherstone in the main event of the opening day at Blackpool’s Summer Bash.

June sees home dates against Swinton and Oldham sandwiching the reverse fixture between Bulls and landlords Dewsbury, which has been switched to Headingley as part of a double header with Leeds Rhinos versus Wakefield Trinity.

Read more: Rams v Bulls switched to Headingley 

Five of their next eight matches are on the road before the curtain comes down at the Tetleys Stadium on September 6 when Widnes come to town.

Kear said: “The fans will obviously start to get excited now the fixtures are out and the players as well.

“I don’t mind if we have to play London Broncos first game of the season in the same way I wouldn’t have if we’d been given a so-called easier one.

“I’m just happy to see the Bradford Bulls side step out there in red, amber and black and give a good account of themselves.”

BULLS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES 2020 (3pm kick-off unless stated)

FEBRUARY
Sun 2    LONDON BRONCOS    H
Sun 9    York City Knights    A
Sun 16    FEATHERSTONE ROVERS    H
MARCH
Sun 1    Oldham    A
Sun 8    SHEFFIELD EAGLES    H
Sun 22    Swinton Lions    A
Sun 29    Batley Bulldogs    A
APRIL
Fri 10    HALIFAX    H
Wed 15    Widnes Vikings (7.30pm)    A
Sun 19    WHITEHAVEN    H
Sun 26    DEWSBURY RAMS    H
MAY
Sat 2    Toulouse Olympique (3.30pm)    A
Sun 17    LEIGH CENTURIONS    H
Sun 24    London Broncos    A
Sat 30    Featherstone Rovers (7.30pm, Summer Bash)
JUNE
Sun 14    SWINTON LIONS    H
Sun 21    Dewsbury Rams (at Leeds Rhinos)
Sun 28    OLDHAM    H
JULY
Sun 5    Sheffield Eagles    A
Sun 12    Whitehaven    A
Sun 26    BATLEY BULLDOGS    H
AUGUST
Sun 2    TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE    H
Sun 9    Featherstone Rovers    A
Sun 16    Leigh Centurions    A
Sun 23    YORK CITY KNIGHTS    H
Sun 30    Halifax    A
SEPTEMBER
Sun 6    WIDNES VIKINGS    H