Jump to content

2025 Challenge Cup

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2025 Challenge Cup
Duration7 rounds
Number of teams69
Broadcast partners
Biggest home winWest Hull 90–0 Edinburgh Eagles
(18 January)
Biggest away winEastern Rhinos 4–66 Wests Warriors
(12 January)

The 2025 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup, is the 124th edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Background

[edit]

Following discussions in 2024, it was announced that the format will be revised and there will now only be seven rounds of competition, down from the nine rounds used in recent seasons. The changes will see the Championship and League One clubs entering in round 2 (round 3 in 2024), and the Super League clubs entering in round 3 (round 6 in 2024), with all 12 super league teams playing away in round 3.[1]

The change follows criticism that the previous format favoured Super League clubs, and reducing the opportunities for smaller clubs to stage a tie against a big club.[2]

The competition started in January 2025, and will conclude with the final on 7 June at Wembley Stadium.[3]

Toulouse Olympique have declined to take part, as in previous years.[4]

Format and dates

[edit]
Challenge Cup competition format
Round Date Clubs involved this round Winners from previous round New entries this round Leagues entering at this round
Round 1 11–12 January 34 None 34 34 UK based community teams
Round 2 25–26 January 40 17 23 All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship (12) and League One (11)
Round 3 8–9 February 32 20 12 All 12 teams from the Super League
Round 4 15–16 March 16 16 None
Quarter-finals 5–6 April 8 8
Semi-finals 10–11 May 4 4
Final 8 June 2 2

The 34 clubs in the first round comprise:[5]

  • the three armed services clubs
  • 15 from the National Conference League (NCL)
  • one each from the Scottish, Welsh and Irish leagues
  • GB Police
  • 12 from other English regional leagues (outside the NCL)

First round

[edit]

The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition were made on 2 December 2024.[6]

Wath Brow Hornets were originally drawn against West Bowling. On 6 January 2025 the Wath Brow club informed the RFL that they would concede the tie, citing "player safety" as the reason. The early rounds of the competition coincide with a period during which full contact training and playing is restricted for amateur teams that play during the summer by the RFL operational rules. Wath Brow considered that the risks to their players were too great to participate in the tie against West Bowling.[7] The RFL invited Cutsyke Raiders to replace Wath Brow. As Cutsyke play during the winter, the club is not affected by the no-contact period.[8]

A majority of the fixtures were postponed from the original weekend of 11/12 January due to bad weather but were rescheduled for the following weekend.[9]

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 1
Super League[a] Championship[b] League One[b] Non-League Total
12 / 12
12 / 12
11 / 11
34 / 34
69 / 69
Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance[c]
Waterhead Warriors 12–8[d] Leigh Miners Rangers 18 January 2025, 12:30[e] Peach Road S. Price not recorded
Rochdale Mayfield 64–16 Telford Raiders 18 January 2025, 13:30[e] Keswick Street J. Pemberton
British Army 22–16 RAF 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Aldershot Military Stadium C. Hughes
Crosfields 52–0 Maryport 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Hood Lane Recreation Ground L. O'brien
Dewsbury Moor 20–12 Haresfinch 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Dewsbury Moor Sports Club J. Stearne
Lock Lane 50–10 Doncaster Toll Bar 18 January 2025, 14:30[e] Lock Lane Sports Centre L. Grundy
Mirfield 20–26 Royal Navy 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Slipper Lane S. Quarmby
Stanley Rangers 20–34 Hunslet ARLFC 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Lee Moor Road O. Taylor
West Bowling 48–16 Cutsyke Raiders 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Horsfall Stadium
West Hull 90–0 Edinburgh Eagles 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] Johnny Whiteley Park O. Salmon
Ince Rose Bridge 56–12 Longhorns 18 January 2025, 14:30[e] Pinfold Street
Thatto Heath Crusaders 28–24 Orrell St James 19 January 2025, 14:00[e] Close St A. Billington
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 4–18 Siddal 11 January 2025, 17:00 Chiswick Rugby Football Club S. Jenkinson
Aberavon Fighting Irish 16–32 Blackbrook 12 January 2025, 13:30 Vivian Park K. Young
GB Police 4–52 York Acorn 19 January 2025, 13:30[f] Portico Vine ARLFC T. Jones
Eastern Rhinos 4–66 Wests Warriors 12 January 2025, 14:30 Northern Gateway Sports Park M. McKelvey
London Chargers 12–28 Oulton Raiders 18 January 2025, 14:30[f] Streatham-Croydon RFC R. Apsee
Source:[10][11]

Second round

[edit]
Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 2
Super League[a] Championship League One Non-League Total
12 / 12
12 / 12
11 / 11
17 / 34
52 / 69
Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
London Broncos 10–17 Goole Vikings 25 January 2025, 12:30 Priory Lane R. Cox
Dewsbury Moor 6–50 Dewsbury Rams 25 January 2025, 14:00 Mount Pleasant A. Belafonte 1,252
Hunslet ARLFC 18–24 West Hull 25 January 2025, 14:00 The Oval, Leeds S. Jenkinson not recorded
Lock Lane 10–50 Hunslet 25 January 2025, 14:00 Lock Lane Sports Centre C. Hughes
Featherstone Rovers 88–10 Waterhead Warriors 25 January 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road[g] A. Billington
Wests Warriors 36–18 British Army 25 January 2025, 14:00 Twyford Avenue Sports Ground M. McKelvey not recorded
York Acorn 22–2 Oulton Raiders 25 January 2025, 14:00 Thanet Road J. Hughes not recorded
Whitehaven 24–12 Swinton Lions 25 January 2025, 15:00 Recreation Ground S. Mikalauskas 908
Oldham 60–10 Rochdale Mayfield 26 January 2025, 12:30 Boundary Park W. Turley 1,032
Cornwall 0–52 North Wales Crusaders 26 January 2025, 13:00 The Memorial Ground A. Williams
Royal Navy 0–56 Workington Town 26 January 2025, 13:00 United Services Recreation Ground J. Pemberton not recorded
Blackbrook 12–34 Ince Rose Bridge 26 January 2025, 14:00 Blackbrook Rugby & Recreation Club M. Clayton not recorded
Midlands Hurricanes 46–0 Siddal 26 January 2025, 14:00 Alexander Stadium K. Moore
Barrow Raiders 86–6 Crosfields 26 January 2025, 15:00 Craven Park S. Houghton 849
Bradford Bulls 30–4 Doncaster 26 January 2025, 15:00 Odsal Stadium C. Worsley
Halifax Panthers 48–6 Thatto Heath Crusaders 26 January 2025, 15:00 The Shay D. Arnold 743
Newcastle Thunder 0–54 Batley Bulldogs 26 January 2025, 15:00 Crow Trees Ground T. Jones
Rochdale Hornets 16–34 Widnes Vikings 26 January 2025, 15:00 Spotland M. Lynn
Sheffield Eagles 62–0 West Bowling 26 January 2025, 15:00 Olympic Legacy Park A. Sweet 518
Keighley Cougars York Knights 2 February 2025, 15:00[h] Cougar Park M. Lynn
Source:[14]

Third round

[edit]

The draw for the third round took place live on BBC Sport, on 14 January 2025. The draw was made by RFL vice president Danika Priim, and Betfred owner Fred Done.[15]

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 3
Super League Championship League One Non-League Total
12 / 12
10 / 12
7 / 11
4 / 34
32 / 69
Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Sheffield Eagles Wigan Warriors 7 February 2025, 19:30 Olympic Legacy Park
Workington Town Leigh Leopards 7 February 2025, 19:30 Derwent Park
Keighley Cougars / York Knights Hull KR 7 February 2025, TBC Cougar Park / York Community Stadium
Halifax Panthers Catalans Dragons 8 February 2025, 12:00 The Shay
Wests Warriors Leeds Rhinos 8 February 2025, 12:00 Headingley[i]
West Hull St Helens 8 February 2025, 14:00 Craven Park[j]
York Acorn Hull FC 8 February 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road[k]
Goole Vikings Wakefield Trinity 8 February 2025, 15:00 Belle Vue[l]
Whitehaven Warrington Wolves 8 February 2025, 15:00 Recreation Ground
Bradford Bulls Castleford Tigers 9 February 2025, 13:00 Odsal
Batley Bulldogs Dewsbury Rams 9 February 2025, 14:00 Mount Pleasant
Featherstone Rovers Ince Rose Bridge 9 February 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road
Midlands Hurricanes Salford Red Devils 9 February 2025, 14:00 Alexander Stadium
North Wales Crusaders Widnes Vikings 9 February 2025, 14:30 Eirias Stadium
Hunslet Huddersfield Giants 9 February 2025, 15:00 South Leeds Stadium
Oldham Barrow Raiders 9 February 2025, 15:00 Boundary Park
Source:

Broadcast matches

[edit]
Broadcast matches
Round Match Date Broadcast method
1st British Army v RAF 18 January Broadcast live on BFBS.[20]
Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers 18 January Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[21]
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James 19 January Streamed live on The Sportsman.[21]
2nd London Broncos v Goole Vikings 25 January Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[22]
Royal Navy vs Workington Town 26 January Broadcast live on BFBS.[23]
Keighley Cougars v York Knights 2 February Streamed live on The Sportsman.[12]
3rd Keighley Cougars / York Knights v Hull KR 7 February Streamed live on The Sportsman.[24]
Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons 8 February
Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers 9 February Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[25]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Super League teams joined the competition in the third round
  2. ^ a b Championship and League One teams joined the competition in the second round
  3. ^ Attendances not recorded for matches only involving amateur teams
  4. ^ After golden point extra time
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Postponed from 11 January
  6. ^ a b Postponed from 12 January
  7. ^ Waterhead were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable.[12]
  8. ^ Delayed by one week due to York's commitments in the Amsterdam Challenge[13]
  9. ^ Wests Warriors were drawn at home but agreed to play at Leeds Rhinos as their own ground was unusable.[16]
  10. ^ West Hull were drawn at home but agreed to play at Hull KR as their own ground was unusable.[17]
  11. ^ York Acorn were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable.[18]
  12. ^ Match switched to Belle Vue by agreement between the clubs.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Challenge Cup to undergo major revamp as Super League role changes". Love Rugby League. 25 June 2024.
  2. ^ Cook, Sam (25 June 2024). "RFL reveal new Challenge Cup format from 2025 with Super League clubs impacted". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Challenge Cup: Super League clubs to join competition earlier in 2025". BBC Sport. 25 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Challenge Cup draw and round dates revealed as competition adopts new format for 2025". Love Rugby League. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. ^ "2025 Betfred Challenge Cup First and Second Round Draw Details Confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ "2025 Challenge Cup Rounds 1 and 2 draws made as road to Wembley begins with mouthwatering ties". Love Rugby League. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  7. ^ Hodgson, Phil (6 January 2025). "Club drops out of Challenge Cup – with concerning reason given – Total Rugby League". Total RL. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  8. ^ "RFL confirm Challenge Cup revamp and new entrant after Wath Brow exit". Love Rugby League. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup First Round – Update". RFL. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Challenge Cup – Round One". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3463. 13 January 2025. p. 19.
  11. ^ "Challenge Cup – Round One". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3464. 20 January 2025. pp. 22–23.
  12. ^ a b "Three Challenge Cup ties to be broadcast as The Sportsman reveals its picks". Total Rugby League. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  13. ^ Walker, Callum (21 December 2024). "York Knights' Challenge Cup tie rearranged following Hull KR Amsterdam clash – Total Rugby League". Total RL. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3465. 27 January 2025. p. 31.
  15. ^ "Challenge Cup Third Round draw made as Super League clubs all discover potential opponents". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Leeds Rhinos to host Wests Warriors in Betfred Challenge Cup". Leeds Rhinos. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  17. ^ "Saints to face West Hull at Sewell Group Craven Park". St Helens. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Goole Vikings Date Confirmed". 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Goole Vikings Date Confirmed". Wakefield Trinity. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  20. ^ Dixon, Kyle (6 January 2025). "BFBS Sport to show live coverage of Saturday's British Army v RAF Challenge Cup clash". BFBS. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  21. ^ a b Walker, Callum (7 January 2025). "New team enters Challenge Cup to replace Wath Brow Hornets as another two kick-off times changed – Total Rugby League". Total RL. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  22. ^ "BBC make Challenge Cup Second Round broadcast pick as First Round update delivered". Love Rugby League. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  23. ^ Dixon, Kyle (20 January 2025). "Challenge Cup: How to watch Royal Navy's clash at home to Workington Town live". BFBS. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Hull KR and Catalans Betfred Challenge Cup clashes to be streamed live on The Sportsman". Betfred. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  25. ^ "BBC make Challenge Cup Third Round broadcast pick as full schedule locked in". Love Rugby League. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2025_Challenge_Cup&oldid=1272667006"