2025 Challenge Cup

Last updated

2025 Challenge Cup
Duration7 rounds
Number of teams69
Broadcast partners
Biggest home winWest Hull 90–0 Edinburgh Eagles
(18 January)
Biggest away winWests Warriors 0–92 Leeds Rhinos
(8 February)
Top point-scorer(s) Jake Connor (32)
Top try-scorer(s)12 players
(3 tries each)

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).

Contents

Background

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]

The integrity of the competition came into question ahead of round 3 with the "Super League teams guaranteed to be played away from home" being reversed or moved to neutral venues for every tie between Super League and amateur clubs. This was done on the basis of amateur grounds not meeting the standards for matches involving professional clubs. [5] The RFL was also criticised for failing for foresee this situation arising when the new format was announced. [6]

Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format
RoundDateClubs involved this roundWinners from previous roundNew entries this roundLeagues entering at this round
Round 111–12 January34None3434 UK based community teams
Round 225–26 January401723All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship (12) and League One (11)
Round 38–9 February322012All 12 teams from the Super League
Round 415–16 March1616None
Quarter-finals5–6 April88
Semi-finals10–11 May44
Final8 June22

The 34 clubs in the first round comprise: [7]

First round

The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition were made on 2 December 2024. [8]

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. [9] 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. [10]

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. [11]

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 1
Super League [a] Championship [b] League One [b] Non-LeagueTotal
12 / 12
12 / 12
11 / 11
34 / 34
69 / 69
Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
Date and TimeVenueRefereeAttendance [c]
Waterhead Warriors12–8 [d] Leigh Miners Rangers18 January 2025, 12:30 [e] Peach RoadA. Williamsnot recorded
Rochdale Mayfield 64–16Telford Raiders18 January 2025, 13:30 [e] Keswick StreetJ. Pemberton
British Army 22–16 RAF 18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Aldershot Military Stadium C. Hughes
Crosfields52–0Maryport18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Hood Lane Recreation GroundL. O'brien
Dewsbury Moor20–12Haresfinch18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Dewsbury Moor Sports ClubJ. Stearne
Lock Lane 50–10Doncaster Toll Bar18 January 2025, 14:30 [e] Lock Lane Sports CentreL. Grundy
Mirfield20–26 Royal Navy 18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Slipper LaneS. Quarmby
Stanley Rangers20–34Hunslet ARLFC18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Lee Moor RoadO. Taylor
West Bowling 48–16Cutsyke Raiders18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Horsfall Stadium
West Hull90–0Edinburgh Eagles18 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Johnny Whiteley ParkO. Salmon
Ince Rose Bridge 56–12Longhorns18 January 2025, 14:30 [e] Pinfold StreetR. Schofield
Thatto Heath Crusaders 28–24Orrell St James19 January 2025, 14:00 [e] Close StA. Billington
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 4–18 Siddal 11 January 2025, 17:00Chiswick Rugby Football ClubS. Jenkinson
Aberavon Fighting Irish16–32Blackbrook12 January 2025, 13:30Vivian ParkK. Young
GB Police 4–52York Acorn19 January 2025, 13:30 [f] Portico Vine ARLFCT. Jones
Eastern Rhinos4–66Wests Warriors12 January 2025, 14:30Northern Gateway Sports ParkM. McKelvey
London Chargers 12–28 Oulton Raiders 18 January 2025, 14:30 [f] Streatham-Croydon RFCR. Apsee
Source: [12] [13]

Second round

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 2
Super League [a] ChampionshipLeague OneNon-LeagueTotal
12 / 12
12 / 12
11 / 11
17 / 34
52 / 69
Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
Date and TimeVenueRefereeAttendance
London Broncos 10–17 Goole Vikings 25 January 2025, 12:30Priory LaneR. Cox
Dewsbury Moor6–50 Dewsbury Rams 25 January 2025, 14:00 Mount Pleasant A. Belafonte1,252
Hunslet ARLFC18–24 West Hull 25 January 2025, 14:00The Oval, LeedsS. Jenkinsonnot recorded
Lock Lane 10–50 Hunslet 25 January 2025, 14:00Lock Lane Sports CentreC. Hughes
Featherstone Rovers 88–10Waterhead Warriors25 January 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road [g] A. Billington
Wests Warriors36–18 British Army 25 January 2025, 14:00Twyford Avenue Sports GroundM. McKelveynot recorded
York Acorn 22–2 Oulton Raiders 25 January 2025, 14:00Thanet RoadJ. Hughesnot recorded
Whitehaven 24–12 Swinton Lions 25 January 2025, 15:00 Recreation Ground S. Mikalauskas908
Oldham 60–10 Rochdale Mayfield 26 January 2025, 12:30 Boundary Park W. Turley1,032
Cornwall 0–52 North Wales Crusaders 26 January 2025, 13:00The Memorial GroundA. Williams
Royal Navy 0–56 Workington Town 26 January 2025, 13:00 United Services Recreation Ground J. Pembertonnot recorded
Blackbrook 12–34 Ince Rose Bridge 26 January 2025, 14:00Blackbrook Rugby & Recreation ClubM. Claytonnot recorded
Midlands Hurricanes 46–0 Siddal 26 January 2025, 14:00 Alexander Stadium K. Moore
Barrow Raiders 86–6Crosfields26 January 2025, 15:00 Craven Park S. Houghton849
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. Arnold743
Newcastle Thunder 0–54 Batley Bulldogs 26 January 2025, 15:00Crow 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. Sweet518
Keighley Cougars 12–72 York Knights 2 February 2025, 15:00 [h] Cougar Park M. Lynn
Source: [16] [17]

Third round

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. [18]

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 3
Super LeagueChampionshipLeague OneNon-LeagueTotal
12 / 12
11 / 12
6 / 11
4 / 34
33 / 69
Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
Date and TimeVenueRefereeAttendance
Sheffield Eagles 12–48 Wigan Warriors 7 February 2025, 19:30 Olympic Legacy Park J. Smith1,244
Workington Town 0–60 Leigh Leopards 7 February 2025, 19:30 Derwent Park L. Rush3,033
York Knights 2–44 Hull KR 7 February 2025, 20:00 York Community Stadium C. Kendall 5,369
Halifax Panthers 0–14 Catalans Dragons 8 February 2025, 12:00 The Shay M. Griffiths806
Wests Warriors0–92 Leeds Rhinos 8 February 2025, 12:00 Headingley [i] M. Lynn1,310
West Hull 0–38 St Helens 8 February 2025, 14:00 Craven Park [j] S. Mikalauskas5,500 (est) [k]
York Acorn 6–52 Hull FC 8 February 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road [l] W. Turley
Goole Vikings 0–82 Wakefield Trinity 8 February 2025, 15:00 Belle Vue [m] C. Worsley2,032
Whitehaven 4–44 Warrington Wolves 8 February 2025, 15:00 Recreation Ground A. Moore3,980
Bradford Bulls 18–16 Castleford Tigers 9 February 2025, 13:00 Odsal Stadium L. Moore2,946
Batley Bulldogs 26–4 Dewsbury Rams 9 February 2025, 14:00 Mount Pleasant R. Cox
Featherstone Rovers 68–0 Ince Rose Bridge 9 February 2025, 14:00 Post Office Road A. Sweet
Midlands Hurricanes 10–46 Salford Red Devils 9 February 2025, 14:00 Alexander Stadium A. Belafonte831
North Wales Crusaders 20–26 Widnes Vikings 9 February 2025, 14:30 Eirias Stadium D. Arnold
Hunslet 6–34 Huddersfield Giants 9 February 2025, 15:00 South Leeds Stadium T. Grant985
Oldham 42–4 Barrow Raiders 9 February 2025, 15:00 Boundary Park K. Moore1,064
Source: [24]

Fourth round

The draw for the fourth round took place on Saturday 15 February 2025, live on BBC Two, during half-time of the Super League game between St Helens and Salford Red Devils, on the opening weekend of the 2025 Super League season. [25]

Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 4
Super LeagueChampionshipLeague OneNon-LeagueTotal
11 / 12
5 / 12
0 / 11
0 / 34
16 / 69
Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
Date and TimeVenueRefereeAttendance
Hull KR Oldham 14 March 2025, 20:00 Craven Park
St Helens Leeds Rhinos 14 March 2025, 20:00 Totally Wicked Stadium
Widnes Vikings Warrington Wolves 15 March 2025, 17:00 Halton Stadium
Wigan Warriors Hull FC 15 March 2025, 17:45 Brick Community Stadium
Catalans Dragons Featherstone Rovers 15/16 March 2025 Stade Gilbert Brutus
Huddersfield Giants Wakefield Trinity 15/16 March 2025 Kirklees Stadium
Leigh Leopards Batley Bulldogs 15/16 March 2025 Leigh Sports Village
Salford Red Devils Bradford Bulls 15/16 March 2025 Salford Community Stadium
Source:

Broadcast matches

Broadcast matches
RoundMatchDateBroadcast method
1stBritish Army v RAF18 JanuaryBroadcast live on BFBS . [26]
Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers18 JanuaryBroadcast live on BBC Red Button . [27]
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James19 JanuaryStreamed live on The Sportsman. [27]
2ndLondon Broncos v Goole Vikings25 JanuaryBroadcast live on BBC Red Button . [28]
Royal Navy vs Workington Town26 JanuaryBroadcast live on BFBS . [29]
Keighley Cougars v York Knights2 FebruaryStreamed live on The Sportsman. [14]
3rdYork Knights v Hull KR7 FebruaryStreamed live on The Sportsman. [30]
Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons8 February
Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers9 FebruaryBroadcast live on BBC Red Button . [31]
4thSt Helens v Leeds Rhinos14 MarchStreamed live on The Sportsman. [32]
Wigan Warriors v Hull FC15 MarchBroadcast live on BBC Red Button . [32]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Super League teams joined the competition in the third round
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Postponed from 11 January
  6. 1 2 Postponed from 12 January
  7. ↑ Waterhead were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable. [14]
  8. ↑ Delayed by one week due to York's commitments in the Amsterdam Challenge [15]
  9. ↑ Wests Warriors were drawn at home but agreed to play at Leeds Rhinos as their own ground was unusable. [19]
  10. ↑ West Hull were drawn at home but agreed to play at Hull KR as their own ground was unusable. [20]
  11. ↑ No official attendance given but people were admitted without counting to reduce queues at the gates and prevent the start of the game being delayed. [21]
  12. ↑ York Acorn were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable. [22]
  13. ↑ Match switched to Belle Vue by agreement between the clubs. [23]

References

  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. ↑ Bower, Aaron (6 February 2025). "Challenge Cup romance returns but has RFL's revamp backfired?" – via The Guardian.
  6. ↑ "New Challenge Cup format to be reviewed as amateur teams prepare to face giants". The Independent. 6 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "2025 Betfred Challenge Cup First and Second Round Draw Details Confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ Hodgson, Phil (6 January 2025). "Club drops out of Challenge Cup – with concerning reason given – Total Rugby League". Total RL. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "RFL confirm Challenge Cup revamp and new entrant after Wath Brow exit". Love Rugby League. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup First Round – Update". RFL. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "Challenge Cup – Round One". Rugby Leaguer & League Express . No. 3463. 13 January 2025. p. 19.
  13. ↑ "Challenge Cup – Round One". Rugby Leaguer & League Express . No. 3464. 20 January 2025. pp. 22–23.
  14. 1 2 "Three Challenge Cup ties to be broadcast as The Sportsman reveals its picks". Total Rugby League. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two". Rugby Leaguer & League Express . No. 3465. 27 January 2025. p. 31.
  17. ↑ "Knights sweep past Cougars". Rugby Leaguer & League Express . No. 3466. 3 February 2025. p. 17.
  18. ↑ "Challenge Cup Third Round draw made as Super League clubs all discover potential opponents". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "Leeds Rhinos to host Wests Warriors in Betfred Challenge Cup". Leeds Rhinos. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  20. ↑ "Saints to face West Hull at Sewell Group Craven Park". St Helens. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  21. ↑ Shaw, Matthew (9 February 2025). "West Hull and St Helens crowd chaos leaves financial hit as call for help made". All Out Rugby League. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  22. ↑ "Goole Vikings Date Confirmed". 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "Goole Vikings Date Confirmed". Wakefield Trinity. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  24. ↑ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three". Rugby Leaguer & League Express . No. 3467. 10 February 2025. p. 27.
  25. ↑ "RFL 2025 Challenge Cup Fourth Round draw details and time revealed". Love Rugby League. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. 1 2 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.
  28. ↑ "BBC make Challenge Cup Second Round broadcast pick as First Round update delivered". Love Rugby League. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "Hull KR and Catalans Betfred Challenge Cup clashes to be streamed live on The Sportsman". Betfred. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  31. ↑ "BBC make Challenge Cup Third Round broadcast pick as full schedule locked in". Love Rugby League. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four – broadcast coverage confirmed". rugby-league.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
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