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2018 Challenge Cup

{{short description|Rugby league competition}}

{{Infobox Rugby football league challenge cup

|title = 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

|logo =

|caption =

|pixels =

|duration = 9 Rounds

|no_of_teams = 85

|highest_attendance = 50,672
{{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons v {{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} Warrington Wolves
(Final, 25 August)

|lowest_attendance = 115
{{leagueicon|hemel|13px}} Hemel Stags v {{leagueicon|Gateshead|13px}} Newcastle Thunder (25 February)

|attendance = 162,075

|TV = BBC Sport
Sky Sports

|biggest_home_win = {{leagueicon|Widnes|13px}} Widnes Vikings 90–0 {{leagueicon|Coventry|13px}} Coventry Bears (21 April)

|biggest_away_win = {{leagueicon|hemel|13px}} Hemel Stags 0–74 {{leagueicon|Gateshead|13px}} Newcastle Thunder (25 February)

|season = 2018

|season_champs = {{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons

|season_champ_name = Winners

|second_place = {{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} Warrington Wolves

|MVP = {{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Tony Gigot

|MVP_link = Lance Todd Trophy

|top_scorer = {{leagueicon|catalans|12}} Josh Drinkwater (50)

|top try scorer = {{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} Josh Charnley (9)

|prevseason_link = 2017 Challenge Cup

|prevseason_year = 2017

|nextseason_link = 2019 Challenge Cup

|nextseason_year = 2019

}}

The 2018 Challenge Cup, also known as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup{{cite news|title=Challenge Cup: Ladbrokes replace Tetley's as title sponsor|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/30701718|access-date=11 December 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2015}} for sponsorship reasons, was the 117th staging of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout tournament for teams in the Super League, the British National Leagues and a number of invited amateur clubs.

The cup was won by Catalans Dragons, who beat Warrington Wolves 20–14 at Wembley on 25 August 2018 to become the first non-British team to win the challenge cup in its 117-year history.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/match/ERLP4099091 |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final; Catalans become first French team in 117 years, to win challenge cup |date=25 August 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/25/catalans-dragons-warrington-wolves-challenge-cup-final-match-report |title =Catalans Dragons beat Warrington in Challenge Cup final to make history|date=25 August 2018|work=Guardian|access-date=17 October 2018}}

The defending champions, Hull F.C., went out at the quarter-final stage.

The Catalans {{rlp|fb}}, Tony Gigot, was voted the winner of the Lance Todd Trophy, becoming the first Frenchman to win the trophy since it was first awarded in 1946.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-league/2018/08/25/catalans-dragons-20-warrington-wolves-14-french-side-make-history/ |title=Catalans Dragons 20 Warrington Wolves 14: French side make history to become first non-English Challenge Cup winners |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=25 August 2018 |access-date=26 August 2018}}

The format of the competition was eight knock-out rounds followed by a final. The first two rounds were composed entirely of 48 amateur teams. The 12 winners of the second round ties were joined in round three by the 14 League 1 teams. For the fourth round, the 13 winners from round 3 were joined by 11 of the 12 Championship teams (Toulouse Olympique. who play in the Championship, chose not to enter the 2018 cup competition).{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/32973/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-first-round-draw |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first round draw |date=12 December 2017 |access-date=30 November 2023 |publisher=Rugby Football League}} Round five saw four Super League teams entering the competition, namely those that finished in the top four positions of the 2017 Qualifiers—Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings, Hull Kingston Rovers and Catalans Dragons. The remaining eight Super League teams joined in round six.

Round details

class="wikitable"
RoundDateClubs involved this roundWinners from previous roundNew entries this roundLeagues entering at this round
Round 127–28 Januarystyle="text-align:center;"| 48style="text-align:center;"| n/astyle="text-align:center;"| 4839 English amateur clubs
Scottish, Welsh & Irish champions
3 Armed Forces teams
British Police
2 University rugby league representatives
Round 210–11 Februarystyle="text-align:center;"| 24style="text-align:center;"| 24style="text-align:center;"| 0n/a
Round 324–25 Februarystyle="text-align:center;"| 26style="text-align:center;"| 12style="text-align:center;"| 14League 1
Round 417–18 Marchstyle="text-align:center;"| 24style="text-align:center;"| 13style="text-align:center;"| 11*Championship
Round 521–22 Aprilstyle="text-align:center;"| 16style="text-align:center;"| 12style="text-align:center;"| 42017 Super League Qualifiers top 4
Round 612–13 Maystyle="text-align:center;"| 16style="text-align:center;"| 8style="text-align:center;"| 82017 Super League top 8
Quarter-finals2–3 Junestyle="text-align:center;"| 8style="text-align:center;"| 8style="text-align:center;"| n/an/a
Semi-finals5 Auguststyle="text-align:center;"| 4style="text-align:center;"| 4style="text-align:center;"| n/an/a
Final25 Auguststyle="text-align:center;"| 2style="text-align:center;"| 2style="text-align:center;"| n/an/a

*Toulouse Olympique did not participate in the competition.

First round

The draw for the first round was made on 12 December 2017 at Media City and streamed live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by recently retired Hull F.C. captain, Gareth Ellis, and former Lance Todd Trophy winner, Paul Wellens. The 48 teams in the draw comprised 39 English amateur teams, the winners of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish leagues, two teams from the Universities rugby league and representative teams for the three armed services and the police.

Ties were played over the weekend of 27–28 January 2018 with the exception of one game postponed to the following weekend.

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Leigh Miners Rangers

|18–22

|Myton Warriors

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|Twist Lane

|

|

Underbank Rangers

|16–17{{efn|after golden point extra time}}

|Batley Boys

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|The Cross Grounds

|

|

Kells

|40–8

|British Police

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Old Arrowthwaite

|D. Arnold

|

Wallsend Eagles

| 6–42

|Pilkington Recs

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|Benfield Sports Centre

|

|

Rochdale Mayfield

|28–0

|Crosfields

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|Mayfield Sports Centre

|L. Staveley

|

Lock Lane

|48–0

|Hindley

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Hicksons Arena

|J. Barr

|

Hunslet Club Parkside

|walkover{{efn|Tie was scratched and awarded to Hunslet Club Parkside as Valley Cougars were unable to raise a team for the scheduled date and scheduling issues made re-arranging the fixture impossible}}

|Valley Cougars

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Hillidge Road

|

|

London Chargers

|18–0

|Hammersmith Hills Hoists

|27 January 2018, 1:00pm

|New River Stadium

|T. Jones

|

Royal Air Force

|12–4

|Drighlington

|27 January 2018, 1:30pm

|RAF Cranwell

|N.Woodward

|

Oulton Raiders

|28–26

|Siddal

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Oulton & Woodlesford Sports club

|

|

Millom

|36–18

|Strathmore Silverbacks

|27 January 2018, 1:30pm

|Coronation Field

|D. Bowmer

|

Loughborough University

|4–38

|Bradford Dudley Hill

|27 January 2018, 12:00pm

|Rugby Rubbercrumb

|S.Ellis

|

University of Hull

|24–10

|Hensingham RLFC

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|Hull Uni Sports & Fitness Centre

|M. Smaill

|

Orrell St James

|34–0

|Northampton Demons

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|Bankes Avenue

|

|

Royal Navy

|11–12{{efn|after golden point extra time}}

|Normanton Knights

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|US Sports Ground

|

|

York Acorn

|16–32

|Askam RLFC

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Thanet Road

|

|

Saddleworth Rangers

|12–22

|Thatto Heath Crusaders

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Shaw Hall Bank Road

|

|

Shaw Cross Sharks

|18–0

|Beverley

|3 February 2018, 2:00pm{{efn|Match postponed from 27 January due to waterlogged pitch.}}

|Bywell Field

|C. Astbury

|

West Hull

|58–10

|Longhorns ARLFC

|28 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Community Park

|

|

East Leeds

|10–28

|Thornhill Trojans

|27 January 2018, 2:30pm

|East End Park

|J. Stearne

|

Hunslet Warriors

|0–30

|Wath Brow Hornets

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|The Oval

|H. Neville

|

Featherstone Lions

|34–14

|Skirlaugh

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|The Millpond

|

|

British Army

|48–10

|Milford Marlins

|27 January 2018, 3:00pm

|Aldershot Rugby Stadium

|C. Worsely

|

Distington ARLFC

|32–24

|Queens ARLFC

|27 January 2018, 2:00pm

|Grass Road

|

|

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite web |url=http://www.rugby-league.com/challengecup/results |title=Challenge Cup Results |publisher=Rugby Football League |date=27 January 2018 |access-date=27 January 2018}}

{{notelist}}

Second round

The draw for the second round was made on 31 January 2018 at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium and streamed live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by Warrington Wolves former prop forward and Swinton Lions coach, Gary Chambers, and current Warrington forward Sitaleki Akauola. The 24 teams in the draw comprised the winners from the first round.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33115/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-second-round-draw |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup second round draw |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023 |publisher=Rugby Football League}}

Ties were played on 10 February 2018. Batley Boys won their tie with a drop goal in golden point extra time, having won their first round tie in the same fashion.

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British Army

|26–14

|London Chargers

|10 February 2018, 1:00pm

|Aldershot Military Stadium

|K. Moore

|

Millom

|24–12

|Bradford Dudley Hill

|10 February 2018, 1:30pm

|Coronation Field

|N.Woodward

|

Kells

|16–4

|Orrell St James

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Old Arrowthwaite

|L. Rush

|

Batley Boys

|13–12{{efn|after golden point extra time}}

|Royal Air Force

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Halifax Road

|J. Stearne

|

Oulton Raiders

|24–10

|Shaw Cross Sharks

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Oulton Community Sports Club

|G.Houston

|

Distington

|12–4

|Lock Lane

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Distington Community Sports Club

|M. Smaill

|

Hunslet Club Parkside

|24–6

|Wath Brow Hornets

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Hillidge Road

|P. Marklove

|

Pilkington Recs

|16–0

|Thornhill Trojans

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Ruskin Drive

|J. Jones

|

Featherstone Lions

|18–6

|Thatto Heath Crusaders

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|The Mill Pond Stadium

|M. Rossleigh

|

Askam

|16–4

|West Hull

|10 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Sandy Lane

|J. Barr

|

Rochdale Mayfield

|4–8

|Normanton Knights

|10 February 2018, 2:30pm

|Mayfield Sports Arena

|C. Smith

|

University of Hull

|18–22

|Myton Warriors

|10 February 2018, 2:30pm

|University of Hull

|C. Worsley

|

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Up |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |issue=3,108 |page=29 |date=12 February 2018}}

{{notelist}}

Third round

The draw for the third round was made on 13 February live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by Super League players Alex Walmsley and Kriss Brining. Ties were played over the weekend of 24–25 February.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33208/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-third-round-draw- |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup third round draw |date=8 February 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023 |publisher=Rugby Football League}}

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Kells

|30–4

|British Army

|24 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Old Arrowthwaite

|C. Smith

|300

Normanton Knights

|18–0

|Batley Boys

|24 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Queen Elizabeth Drive

|M. Smaill

|350

Askam

|6–64

|{{leagueicon|york rlfc|12}} York City Knights

|24 February 2018, 2:30pm

|Fallowfield Park

|B. Milligan

|750

Hunslet Club Parkside

|16–24

|{{leagueicon|Workington|12}} Workington Town

|24 February 2018, 2:30pm

|John Charles Stadium

|T. Crashley

|285

Pilkington Recs

|32–16

|Millom

|24 February 2018, 2:30pm

|Ruskin Drive

|J. Stearne

|285

{{leagueicon|Hemel|12}} Hemel Stags

|0–74

|{{leagueicon|Gateshead|12px}} Newcastle Thunder

|25 February 2018, 2:00pm

|Pennine Way stadium

|A.Sweet

|115

{{leagueicon|North Wales|12}} North Wales Crusaders

|28–24

|{{leagueicon|Keighley|12}} Keighley Cougars

|25 February 2018, 2:30pm

|Racecourse Ground

|J.Jones

|281

{{leagueicon|Bradford|12}} Bradford Bulls

|82–6

|{{leagueicon|South Wales Scorpions|12}} West Wales Raiders

|25 February 2018, 3:00pm

|Odsal Stadium

|N.Woodward

|1,505

{{leagueicon|Coventry|12}} Coventry Bears

|42–12

|Distington

|25 February 2018, 3:00pm

|Butts Park Arena

|C. Worsley

|267

{{leagueicon|Doncaster|12}} Doncaster

|82–6

|Myton Warriors

|25 February 2018, 3:00pm

|Keepmoat Stadium

|M.Mannifield

|388

{{leagueicon|Hunslet|12}} Hunslet

|72–16

|Oulton Raiders

|25 February 2018, 3:00pm

|South Leeds Stadium

|B. Pearson

|896

{{leagueicon|Oldham|12}} Oldham

|42–0

|Featherstone Lions

|25 February 2018, 3:00pm

|Vestacare Stadium

|L. Staveley

| 364

{{leagueicon|Whitehaven|12}} Whitehaven

|16-14

|{{leagueicon|London Skolars|12}} London Skolars

|25 February 2018, 6:00pm

|Recreation Ground

|M. Griffiths

|439

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Scoreboard: Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Three |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=26 February 2018 |issue=3,110 |page=39}}

Fourth round

The draw was conducted by former player (and Challenge Cup winner) Rob Parker and former Scottish international Andrew Henderson.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barrow-raiders/article/Challenge-Cup-2018-Fourth-round-draw-details-2afe10fe-2b6d-4e1f-9be9-9792acdd8523-ds |title=Challenge Cup 2018: Fourth-round draw details |work=The Mail |date=27 February 2018 |access-date=28 February 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33279/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-fourth-round-draw |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Fourth round draw |date=22 February 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023 |publisher=Rugby Football League}}

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Kells

| 6–56

| {{leagueicon|Toronto|12}} Toronto Wolfpack

| 16 March 2018, 6:15pm

| Recreation Ground{{efn|Match played at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground{{cite web |url=https://www.torontowolfpack.com/2018/03/16/match-report-kells-arl-vs-toronto-wolfpack/ |title=Match Report – Kells ARL Vs Toronto Wolfpack |publisher=Toronto Wolfpack |date=16 March 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}}

| N. Bennett

| 1,000

{{leagueicon|Doncaster|12}} Doncaster

| 34–0

| {{leagueicon|Gateshead|12px}} Newcastle Thunder

| 16 March 2018, 8:00pm

| Keepmoat Stadium

| L. Staveley

| 398

Normanton Knights

| 8–20

| {{leagueicon|Rochdale|12}} Rochdale Hornets

| 17 March 2018, 2:00pm

| L.D. Nutrition Stadium{{efn |Played at Featherstone Rovers' ground}}

| G. Dolan

| Not recorded

{{leagueicon|Barrow|12}} Barrow Raiders

| 28–16

| {{leagueicon|Sheffield|12}} Sheffield Eagles

| 18 March 2018, 3:00pm

| Craven Park

| B. Robinson

| 936

{{leagueicon|Batley|12}} Batley Bulldogs

| 4–8

| {{leagueicon|Leigh|12}} Leigh Centurions

| 18 March 2018, 3:00pm

| Fox's Biscuits Stadium

| T. Grant

| 606

{{leagueicon|Whitehaven|12}} Whitehaven

| 25–18

| {{leagueicon|Dewsbury|12}} Dewsbury Rams

| 18 March 2018, 3:00pm

| Recreation Ground

| A. Sweet

| 414

{{leagueicon|Workington|12}} Workington Town

| 20–22

| {{leagueicon|London|12}} London Broncos

| 18 March 2018, 3:00pm

| Derwent Park

| M. Griffiths

| 548

{{leagueicon|york rlfc|12}} York City Knights

| 26–12

| {{leagueicon|Swinton|12}} Swinton Lions

| 18 March 2018, 3:00pm

| L.D. Nutrition Stadium{{efn |Played at Featherstone Rovers' ground due to the pitch at Bootham Crescent being waterlogged.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/16095116.GAME_ON__York_City_Knights_v_Swinton_Lions_cup_tie_gets_go_ahead_at_Featherstone_s_ground/ |title=Featherstone's ground passes pitch inspection to stage York City Knights v Swinton Lions in Challenge Cup |newspaper=York Press |date=18 March 2018 |access-date=2 April 2018}}}}

| M. Mannifield

| 525

{{leagueicon|Halifax|12}} Halifax

| 6–27

| {{leagueicon|Oldham|12}} Oldham

| 20 March 2018, 7:30pm{{efn |name=18MarchPP}}

| The Shay

| B. Pearson

| 688

{{leagueicon|North Wales|12}} North Wales Crusaders

| 6–66

| {{leagueicon|Featherstone|12}} Featherstone Rovers

| 20 March 2018, 7:30pm{{efn |name=18MarchPP}}

| L.D. Nutrition Stadium{{efn |After being postponed on 18 March and with North Wales' ground being unavailable mid-week, the clubs agreed to reverse the fixture and play at Featherstone to enable the fixture to be played as soon as possible.{{cite web| url=https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/news/fixture-reversed-rovers-to-host-crusaders-in-cup-QlleZ |title=Fixture reversed: Rovers to host Crusaders in Cup |publisher=Featherstone Rovers |date=18 March 2018}}}}

| J. Roberts

| 1,098

{{leagueicon|Coventry|12}} Coventry Bears

| 31–20

| Pilkington Recs

| 25 March 2018, 3pm{{efn |name=18MarchPP}}

| Butts Park Arena

| A. Sweet

| 395

{{leagueicon|Hunslet|12}} Hunslet RLFC

| 10–34

| {{leagueicon|Bradford|12}} Bradford Bulls

| 2 April 2018, 2:00pm{{efn |name=18MarchPP |Fixture postponed on 18 March due to bad weather.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/fixtures |title=Fixtures - Rugby League |publisher=BBC Sport | date=18 March 2018 |access-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318145222/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/fixtures |archive-date=18 March 2018}} }}

| South Leeds Stadium

| N. Bennett

| 1,081

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite news |title=Scoreboard: Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Four |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |page=36 |issue=3,113 |date=19 March 2018}}{{cite news |title=Scoreboard: Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Four |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=26 March 2018 |page=39 |issue=3,114}}

{{notelist}}

Fifth round

The draw was made on 20 March 2018 by two Women's Super League players, Faye Gaskin of St. Helens and Gemma Walsh of Wigan Warriors.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33426/york-city-knights-to-host-catalans-dragons-in-fifth-round-of-ladbrokes-challenge-cup |title=York City Knights to host Catalans Dragons in fifth round of Ladbrokes Challenge Cup |publisher=RFL |date=20 March 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023}}

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{{leagueicon|Widnes|12}} Widnes Vikings

|90–0

|{{leagueicon|Coventry|12}} Coventry Bears

|21 April 2018, 13:00

|Select Security Stadium

|J McMullen

|1,438

{{leagueicon|Warrington|12}} Warrington Wolves

|54–6

|{{leagueicon|Bradford|12}} Bradford Bulls

|21 April 2018, 15:00

|Halliwell Jones Stadium

| T Grant

| 4,710

{{leagueicon|Doncaster|12}} Doncaster

|16–26

|{{leagueicon|Featherstone|12}} Featherstone Rovers

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Keepmoat Stadium

| M Rossleigh

| 1,076

{{leagueicon|Leigh|12}} Leigh Centurions

|40–0

|{{leagueicon|London|12}} London Broncos

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Leigh Sports Village

| L Moore

| 2,507

{{leagueicon|Oldham|12}} Oldham

|0–32

|{{leagueicon|Hull KR|12}} Hull KR

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Bower Fold

| G Hewer

| 1,064

{{leagueicon|Toronto|12}} Toronto Wolfpack

|16–12

|{{leagueicon|Barrow|12}} Barrow Raiders

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Furness Heating Components Stadium{{efn|Tie was played at Barrow even though Toronto were drawn as the home team.}}

| G Dolan

| 1,140

{{leagueicon|Whitehaven|12}} Whitehaven

|38–0

|{{leagueicon|Rochdale|12}} Rochdale Hornets

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Recreation Ground

| L Staveley

|604

{{leagueicon|york rlfc|12}} York City Knights

|22–34

|{{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons

|22 April 2018, 15:00

|Bootham Crescent

| C Kendall

| 3,081

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite news |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup: Round Five |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=23 April 2018 |page=39 |issue=3,118}}

{{notelist}}

Sixth Round

The draw for the Sixth Round was made on 25 April 2018, live on Chris Evans' Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Two, alongside Leeds Rhinos veteran forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan, and Warrington Wolves winger Josh Charnley.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33588/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-sixth-round-draw-made |title= Challenge Cup 6th Round Draw|publisher=RFL |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023}}

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!width=10%|Referee

!width=7%|Attendance

{{Leagueicon|featherstone|13px}} Featherstone Rovers

| 20–38

| {{Leagueicon|Hull|13px}} Hull F.C.

| 10 May 2018, 7:35pm

| LD Nutrition Stadium

| S. Mikalauskas

| 2,322

{{Leagueicon|Leigh|13px}} Leigh Centurions

| 22–10

| {{Leagueicon|Salford city|13px}} Salford Red Devils

| 11 May 2018, 7:35pm

| Leigh Sports Village

| L. Moore

| 4,024

{{Leagueicon|Huddersfield|13px}} Huddersfield Giants

| 24–14

| {{Leagueicon|Wakefield|13px}} Wakefield Trinity

| 11 May 2018, 7:45pm

| John Smith's Stadium

| G. Hewer

| 2,631

{{Leagueicon|Widnes|13px}} Widnes Vikings

| 20–23

| {{Leagueicon|Leeds|13px}} Leeds Rhinos

| 11 May 2018, 8:00pm

| Select Security Stadium

| G. Dolan

| 1,865

{{Leagueicon|Castleford|13px}} Castleford Tigers

| 18–36

| {{Leagueicon|St Helens|13px}} St. Helens

| 12 May 2018, 2:30pm

| Mend-A-Hose Jungle

| J. Child

| 5,342

{{Leagueicon|Catalans|13px}} Catalans Dragons

| 56–10

| {{Leagueicon|Whitehaven|13px}} Whitehaven

| 12 May 2018, 3:30pm

| Stade Gilbert Brutus

| M. Rossleigh

| 2,533

{{Leagueicon|Hull KR|13px}} Hull KR

| 10–28

| {{Leagueicon|Wigan|13px}} Wigan Warriors

| 13 May 2018, 3:00pm

| MS3 Craven Park

| C. Kendall

| 3,524

{{Leagueicon|Toronto|13px}} Toronto Wolfpack

| 10–66

| {{Leagueicon|Warrington|13px}} Warrington Wolves

| 13 May 2018, 4:00pm

| Halliwell Jones Stadium{{efn|Toronto were drawn as the home team, but the game was played at Warrington.}}

| B. Thaler

| 6,507

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite news |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Six |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=14 May 2018 |page=40 |issue=3,121}}

{{notelist}}

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made live on BBC Two directly after the conclusion of the Toronto v Warrington game. The draw was made by former players Nathan McAvoy and Robbie Hunter-Paul. Ties were played 31 May – 3 June with all four ties being televised either on Sky Sports or the BBC.{{cite news |url=http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/16222087.Challenge_Cup_quarter_final_draw_takes_place_tomorrow/ |title=Challenge Cup quarter final draw takes place tomorrow |work=St Helens Star |date=12 May 2018 |access-date=13 May 2018}}

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!rowspan=2 width=19%|Home

!rowspan=2 width=6%|Score

!rowspan=2 width=19%|Away

!colspan=4|Match Information

bgcolor=#CCCCCC

!width=17%|Date and Time

!width=22%|Venue

!width=10%|Referee

!width=7%|Attendance

{{Leagueicon|Huddersfield|13px}} Huddersfield Giants

| 6–20

|{{Leagueicon|Catalans|13px}} Catalans Dragons

|31 May 2018, 7:35pm

|John Smith's Stadium

|G. Hewer

|2,151

{{Leagueicon|Leeds|13px}} Leeds Rhinos

| 52–22

|{{Leagueicon|Leigh|13px}} Leigh Centurions

|1 June 2018, 7:35pm

|LD Nutrition Stadium{{efn|Tie moved to Featherstone Rovers' ground due to cricket Test match between England and Pakistan taking place at Headingley Stadium commencing 1 June 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2018/05/13/rhinos-switch-ladbrokes-challenge-cup-quarter-final-to-featherstone/ |title=Rhinos switch Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarter Final to Featherstone |publisher=Leeds Rhinos |date=13 May 2018 |access-date=13 May 2018}}}}

|C. Kendall

|3,277

{{Leagueicon|Warrington|13px}} Warrington Wolves

| 23–0

|{{Leagueicon|Wigan|13px}} Wigan Warriors

|2 June 2018, 2:30pm

|Halliwell Jones Stadium

|R. Hicks

|10,213

{{Leagueicon|st Helens|13px}} St. Helens

| 25–22

|{{Leagueicon|Hull|13px}} Hull F.C.

|3 June 2018, 3:30pm

|Totally Wicked Stadium

|B. Thaler

|9,644

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite news |title=Scoreboard:Betfred League 1 Round 1 |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |issue=3,124 |date=4 June 2018 |page=39}}

{{notelist}}

Semi-final

On 30 May 2018 the RFL announced that the semi-finals would be played as a double header at the University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton on Sunday 5 August 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44303835 |title=Challenge Cup 2018: Bolton Wanderers to host Challenge Cup semis |work=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018}} The draw was made live on BBC Two, directly after the end of the St Helens v Hull FC match. The draw was made by Sophie Rohan and Emily Burnette (the members of Belle Voci), who would sing "Abide with Me" before the final on 25 August.{{cite web |url=https://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/16260766.Opera_duo_to_conduct_semi-final_draw_at_Saints/ |title=Opera duo to conduct semi-final draw at Saints |work=This is Lancashire |date=31 May 2018 |access-date=5 June 2018}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center;" cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
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!rowspan=2 width=19%|Team 1

!rowspan=2 width=6%|Score

!rowspan=2 width=19%|Team 2

!colspan=4|Match Information

bgcolor=#CCCCCC

!width=17%|Date and Time

!width=22%|Venue

!width=10%|Referee

!width=7%|Attendance

{{Leagueicon|st Helens|13px}} St. Helens

|16–35

|{{Leagueicon|Catalans|13px}} Catalans Dragons

|5 August 2018, 12:30pm

|rowspan="2"|University of Bolton Stadium

|R. Hicks

|rowspan="2"| 26,086

{{Leagueicon|Warrington|13px}} Warrington Wolves

|48–12

|{{Leagueicon|Leeds|13px}} Leeds Rhinos

|5 August 2018, 2:45pm

|C. Kendall

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite news |title=Scoreboard:Ldbrokes Challenge Cup Semi-Finals |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |issue=3,133 |date=6 August 2018 |page=36}}

Final

{{main|2018 Challenge Cup Final}}

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!rowspan=2 width=19%|Home

!rowspan=2 width=6%|Score

!rowspan=2 width=19%|Away

!colspan=4|Match Information

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!width=17%|Date and Time

!width=22%|Venue

!width=10%|Referee

!width=7%|Attendance

{{Leagueicon|Catalans|13px}} Catalans Dragons

|20–14

|{{Leagueicon|warrington|13px}} Warrington Wolves

|25 August 2018, 3:00pm

|Wembley Stadium

|R. Hicks

| 50,672

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=10 | Source:{{cite book |last1=Butcher |first1=Tim |last2=Spencer |first2=Daniel |title=Rugby League Yearbook 2018–2019 |publisher=League Publications |date=2018 |isbn=978-1-901347-37-1 |pages=70–71 |name-list-style=amp}}

File:Challenge Cup Final Winners 2018.jpg

Teams:

Catalans: Tony Gigot, Lewis Tierney, David Mead, Brayden Williame, Fouad Yaha, Samisoni Langi, Josh Drinkwater, Mickael Simon, Michael McIlorum, Sam Moa, Benjamin Jullien, Benjamin Garcia, Remi Casty (c).

Substitutes (all used): Julian Bousquet, Jason Baitieri, Kenny Edwards, Mickael Goudemand.

Tries: Tierney, Garcia, Williame. Goals: Drinkwater (4/4)

Warrington: Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Toby King, Josh Charnley, Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts, Chris Hill (c), Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Harvey Livett, Jack Hughes, Ben Westwood.

Substitutes (all used): Ben Murdoch-Masila, George King, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin.

Tries: Murdoch-Masila, G King. Goals: Roberts (3/3)

Broadcasts

The primary broadcast organisation for the competition is BBC Sport. As in 2017 the BBC streamed one tie from each of the first five rounds live on the BBC Sport website with two games from the 6th, 7th and 8th rounds being broadcast live on BBC TV.

=Live matches=

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! Round

! Match

! Date

! Broadcast method

1st

|Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields{{cite web |url=http://www.totalrl.com/mayfield-soap-selected-live-challenge-cup-coverage/ |title=Mayfield and the Soap selected for live Challenge Cup coverage |work=Total RL |publisher=League Publications |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=11 January 2018}}

|27 January, 2:00pm

|streamed BBC Sport

2nd

|Featherstone Lions v Thatto Heath Crusaders{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33201/second-round-fixture-confirmed-for-bbc-sport-stream |title=Second round fixture confirmed for BBC Sport stream |publisher=RFL |date=6 February 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023}}

|10 February, 2:00pm

| streamed BBC Sport

3rd

|Coventry Bears v Distington{{cite web |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/sport/rl/BBC-Sport-cameras-to-show-Distingtons-Challenge-Cup-clash-with-Coventry-Bears-1ee10e17-9bf0-4228-a613-15ca87e6057f-ds |title=BBC Sport cameras to show Distington's Challenge Cup clash with Coventry Bears |work=Times & Star |date=20 February 2018 |access-date=21 February 2018}}

|25 February, 3:00pm

|streamed BBC Sport

4th

|Normanton Knights v Rochdale Hornets{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33351/normanton-knights-v-rochdale-hornets-selected-for-bbc-sport |title=Normanton Knights v Rochdale Hornets selected for BBC Sport |publisher=RFL |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023}}

|17 March, 2:00pm

|streamed BBC Sport

5th

|York City Knights v Catalans Dragons{{cite web |url=https://www.totalrl.com/york-v-catalans-selected-by-bbc-for-live-streaming-fixture/ |title=York v Catalans selected by BBC for live streaming fixture |work=Total RL |publisher=League Publications |date=11 April 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018}}

|22 April, 2:00pm

|streamed BBC Sport

rowspan=4 |6th

|Featherstone Rovers v Hull F.C.{{cite web |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/33599/ladbrokes-challenge-cup-sixth-round-tv-games-confirmed |title=Ladbrokes Challenge Cup sixth round TV games confirmed |publisher=RFL |date=26 April 2018 |access-date=30 November 2023}}

|10 May, 7:35pm

|Sky Sports Arena

Leigh Centurions v Salford Red Devils

|11 May, 7:35pm

|Sky Sports Arena

Castleford Tigers v St Helens

|12 May, 2:30pm

|BBC One

Toronto Wolfpack v Warrington Wolves

|13 May, 3:30pm

|BBC Two

rowspan=4 |QF

|Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons

|31 May, 7:35pm

|Sky Sports Arena

Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Centurions

|1 June, 7:35pm

|Sky Sports Arena

Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors

|2 June, 2:30pm

|BBC One

St. Helens v Hull F.C.

|3 June, 3:30pm

|BBC Two

rowspan=2 |SF

|St. Helens v Catalans Dragons

|5 August, 12:30pm

|BBC One

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos

|5 August, 2:45pm

|BBC One

F

|Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves

|25 August, 3:00pm

|BBC One

See also

Notes

{{notelist-ua}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{official website|www.rugby-league.com/challengecup/}}

{{Challenge Cup}}

{{2018 in rugby league}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Challenge Cup}}

2018

Category:2018 in English rugby league

Category:2018 in Welsh rugby league

Category:2018 in French rugby league

Category:2018 in Scottish sport

Category:2018 in Irish sport

Category:2018 in Canadian rugby league