The 2002 World Club Challenge was held on Friday, 1 February 2002, at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, England.

The game was contested by Bradford Bulls and Newcastle Knights.

The 2001 Super League Grand Final was held on Saturday 13 October 2001, at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK.

It was contested by the Newcastle Knights (who had finished the regular season in 3rd place), and the Parramatta Eels (who had finished the regular season in 1st place), after both sides eliminated the rest of the top eight during the finals.

The attendance of 90,414 was the third highest ever seen at a rugby league match in Australia.