Login
Login

2025 Challenge Cup

{{short description|British rugby league knockout tournament}}

{{use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{use British English|date= June 2024}}

{{Infobox Rugby football league challenge cup

|title = 2025 Challenge Cup

|logo =

|alt = <|--Alt text for image-->

|caption =

|pixels =

|duration = 7 rounds

|no_of_teams = 69

|highest_attendance = 63,278
Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR
{{small|(7 June 2025)}}

|lowest_attendance = 518
Sheffield Eagles vs West Bowling
{{small|(26 January 2025)}}

|attendance =

|avg_attendance =

|matches = 65

|points =

|TV = {{plainlist|

|biggest_home_win = West Hull 90–0 Edinburgh Eagles
{{small|(18 January)}}

|biggest_away_win = Wests Warriors 0–92 Leeds Rhinos
{{small|(8 February)}}

|season = 2025

|season_champs = Hull KR

|season_champ_name = Winners

|second_place = Warrington Wolves

|MVP =

|MVP_link = Lance Todd Trophy

|top_scorer =

|top try scorer =

|prevseason_link = 2024 Challenge Cup

|prevseason_year = 2024

|nextseason_link = 2026 Challenge Cup

|nextseason_year = 2026

}}

The 2025 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup, was 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

Following discussions in 2024, it was announced that the format was being revised and there would now only be seven rounds of competition, down from the nine rounds used in recent seasons. The changes saw 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.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup to undergo major revamp as Super League role changes |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-to-undergo-major-2025-revamp-as-super-league-entry-point-changes |work=Love Rugby League |date=25 June 2024 }} The change followed criticism that the previous format favoured Super League clubs, and reducing the opportunities for smaller clubs to stage a tie against a big club.{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Sam |title=RFL reveal new Challenge Cup format from 2025 with Super League clubs impacted |url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/rfl-reveal-new-challenge-cup-format-from-2025-with-super-league-clubs-impacted-93786/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Serious About Rugby League |date=25 June 2024}}

The competition started in January 2025, and concluded with the final on 7 June at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup: Super League clubs to join competition earlier in 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c844je07p8po |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2024}}

Toulouse Olympique declined to take part, as in previous years.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup draw and round dates revealed as competition adopts new format for 2025 |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/2025-challenge-cup-draw-round-dates-revealed |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=Love Rugby League |date=6 November 2024 |language=en}}

=Format and dates=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Challenge Cup competition format

scope="col" | Round

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Clubs involved this round

! scope="col" | Winners from previous round

! scope="col" | New entries this round

! scope="col" | Leagues entering at this round

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Round 1

| 11–12 January || 34 || {{N/A|None}} || 34 || style="text-align: left;" |34 UK based community teams

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Round 2

| 25–26 January || 40 || 17 || 23 || style="text-align: left;" |All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship (12) and League One (11)

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Round 3

| 8–9 February || 32 || 20 || 12 || style="text-align: left;" |All 12 teams from the Super League

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Round 4

| 15–16 March || 16 || 16 || colspan=2 rowspan=4{{N/A|None}}

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Quarter-finals

| 5–6 April || 8 || 8

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Semi-finals

| 10–11 May || 4 || 4

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | Final

| 7 June || 2 || 2

The 34 clubs in the first round comprise:{{cite web |title=2025 Betfred Challenge Cup First and Second Round Draw Details Confirmed |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63271/2025-betfred-challenge-cup-first-and-second-round-draw-details-confirmed |website=www.rugby-league.com |publisher=RFL |access-date=10 November 2024 |language=en |date=10 November 2024}}

  • 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

The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition were made on 2 December 2024.{{cite news |title=2025 Challenge Cup Rounds 1 and 2 draws made as road to Wembley begins with mouthwatering ties |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/2025-challenge-cup-rounds-1-and-2-draws-made-as-road-to-wembley-begins-with-mouthwatering-ties |access-date=2 December 2024 |work=Love Rugby League |date=2 December 2024}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Hodgson |first1=Phil |title=Club drops out of Challenge Cup – with concerning reason given – Total Rugby League |url=https://www.totalrl.com/club-drops-out-of-challenge-cup-with-concerning-reason-given/ |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=Total RL |date=6 January 2025}} 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.{{cite web |title=RFL confirm Challenge Cup revamp and new entrant after Wath Brow exit |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rfl-confirm-challenge-cup-revamp-and-new-entrant-as-wath-brow-withdrawal-explained |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=6 January 2025 |date=6 January 2025}}

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.{{cite web |title=Betfred Challenge Cup First Round – Update |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63358/betfred-challenge-cup-first-round---update |publisher=RFL |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=9 January 2025}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 1

! width="20%" | Super League{{efn|Super League teams joined the competition in the third round|name=join 3rd round}}

! width="20%" | Championship{{efn|Championship and League One teams joined the competition in the second round|name=join 2nd round}}

! width="20%" | League One{{efn|name=join 2nd round}}

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|12|12|width=100%|#FFFEBB}}

|{{composition bar|12|12|width=100%|#FFFEBB}}

|{{composition bar|11|11|width=100%|#FFFEBB}}

|{{composition bar|34|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|69|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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{{efn|Attendances not recorded for matches only involving amateur teams}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Waterhead Warriors

| {{0|0}}12–8{{efn|After golden point extra time}}

| Leigh Miners Rangers

| 18 January 2025, 12:30{{efn|name=11Jan|Postponed from 11 January}}

| Peach Road

| A. Williams

| rowspan=17 {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Rochdale Mayfield

| 64–16

| Telford Raiders

| 18 January 2025, 13:30{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Keswick Street

| J. Pemberton

bgcolor=#f5faff

| British Army

| 22–16

| RAF

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Aldershot Military Stadium

| C. Hughes

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Crosfields

| 52–0{{0|0}}

| Maryport

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Hood Lane Recreation Ground

| L. O'brien

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Dewsbury Moor

| 20–12

| Haresfinch

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Dewsbury Moor Sports Club

| J. Stearne

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Lock Lane

| 50–10

| Doncaster Toll Bar

| 18 January 2025, 14:30{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Lock Lane Sports Centre

| L. Grundy

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Mirfield

| 20–26

| Royal Navy

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Slipper Lane

| S. Quarmby

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Stanley Rangers

| 20–34

| Hunslet ARLFC

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Lee Moor Road

| O. Taylor

bgcolor=#f5faff

| West Bowling

| 48–16

| Cutsyke Raiders

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Horsfall Stadium

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| West Hull

| 90–0{{0|0}}

| Edinburgh Eagles

| 18 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Johnny Whiteley Park

| O. Salmon

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Ince Rose Bridge

| 56–12

| Longhorns

| 18 January 2025, 14:30{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Pinfold Street

| R. Schofield

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Thatto Heath Crusaders

| 28–24

| Orrell St James

| 19 January 2025, 14:00{{efn|name=11Jan}}

| Close St

| A. Billington

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hammersmith Hills Hoists

| {{0|0}}4–18

| Siddal

| 11 January 2025, 17:00

| Chiswick Rugby Football Club

| S. Jenkinson

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Aberavon Fighting Irish

| 16–32

| Blackbrook

| 12 January 2025, 13:30

| Vivian Park

| K. Young

bgcolor=#f5faff

| GB Police

| {{0|0}}4–52

| York Acorn

| 19 January 2025, 13:30{{efn|name=12Jan|Postponed from 12 January}}

| Portico Vine ARLFC

| T. Jones

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Eastern Rhinos

| {{0|0}}4–66

| Wests Warriors

| 12 January 2025, 14:30

| Northern Gateway Sports Park

| M. McKelvey

bgcolor=#f5faff

| London Chargers

| 12–28

| Oulton Raiders

| 18 January 2025, 14:30{{efn|name=12Jan}}

| Streatham-Croydon RFC

| R. Apsee

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup – Round One |page=19 |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=13 January 2025 |issue=3463}}{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup – Round One |pages=22–23 |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=20 January 2025 |issue=3464}}

Second round

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 2

! width="20%" | Super League{{efn|name=join 3rd round}}

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|12|12|width=100%|#FFFEBB}}

|{{composition bar|12|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|11|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|17|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|52|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| London Broncos

| 10–17

| Goole Vikings

| 25 January 2025, 12:30

| Priory Lane

| R. Cox

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Dewsbury Moor

| {{0|0}}6–50

| Dewsbury Rams

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| Mount Pleasant

| A. Belafonte

| 1,252

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hunslet ARLFC

| 18–24

| West Hull

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| The Oval, Leeds

| S. Jenkinson

| {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Lock Lane

| 10–50

| Hunslet

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| Lock Lane Sports Centre

| C. Hughes

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Featherstone Rovers

| 88–10

| Waterhead Warriors

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| Post Office Road{{efn|Waterhead were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable.}}

| A. Billington

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Wests Warriors

| 36–18

| British Army

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| Twyford Avenue Sports Ground

| M. McKelvey

| {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| York Acorn

| 22–2{{0|0}}

| Oulton Raiders

| 25 January 2025, 14:00

| Thanet Road

| J. Hughes

| {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Whitehaven

| 24–12

| Swinton Lions

| 25 January 2025, 15:00

| Recreation Ground

| S. Mikalauskas

| 908

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Oldham

| 60–10

| Rochdale Mayfield

| 26 January 2025, 12:30

| Boundary Park

| W. Turley

| 1,032

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Cornwall

| {{0|0}}0–52

| North Wales Crusaders

| 26 January 2025, 13:00

| The Memorial Ground

| A. Williams

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Royal Navy

| {{0|0}}0–56

| Workington Town

| 26 January 2025, 13:00

| United Services Recreation Ground

| J. Pemberton

| {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Blackbrook

| 12–34

| Ince Rose Bridge

| 26 January 2025, 14:00

| Blackbrook Rugby & Recreation Club

| M. Clayton

| {{n/a|not recorded}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Midlands Hurricanes

| 46–0{{0|0}}

| Siddal

| 26 January 2025, 14:00

| Alexander Stadium

| K. Moore

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Barrow Raiders

| 86–6{{0|0}}

| Crosfields

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| Craven Park

| S. Houghton

| 849

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Bradford Bulls

| 30–4{{0|0}}

| Doncaster

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| Odsal Stadium

| C. Worsley

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Halifax Panthers

| 48–6{{0|0}}

| Thatto Heath Crusaders

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| The Shay

| D. Arnold

| 743

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Newcastle Thunder

| {{0|0}}0–54

| Batley Bulldogs

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| Crow Trees Ground

| T. Jones

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Rochdale Hornets

| 16–34

| Widnes Vikings

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| Spotland

| M. Lynn

| 866

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Sheffield Eagles

| 62–0{{0|0}}

| West Bowling

| 26 January 2025, 15:00

| Olympic Legacy Park

| A. Sweet

| 518

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Keighley Cougars

| 12–72

| York Knights

| 2 February 2025, 15:00{{efn|Delayed by one week due to York's commitments in the Amsterdam Challenge{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=York Knights’ Challenge Cup tie rearranged following Hull KR Amsterdam clash – Total Rugby League |url=https://www.totalrl.com/york-knights-challenge-cup-tie-rearranged-following-hull-kr-amsterdam-clash/ |access-date=26 January 2025 |work=Total RL |date=21 December 2024}}}}

| Cougar Park

| M. Lynn

|

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |page=31 |issue=3465 |date= 27 January 2025}}{{cite news |title=Knights sweep past Cougars |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |page=17 |issue=3466 |date= 3 February 2025}}

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.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup Third Round draw made as Super League clubs all discover potential opponents |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-third-round-draw-made-as-super-league-clubs-all-discover-potential-opponents |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=Love Rugby League}}

Ahead of round 3, the integrity of the competition came into question, 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb/06/challenge-cup-romance-returns-but-has-rfls-revamp-backfired-rugby-league|title=Challenge Cup romance returns but has RFL’s revamp backfired?|first=Aaron|last=Bower|date=6 February 2025|via=The Guardian}} The RFL was also criticised for failing for foresee this situation arising when the new format was announced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/super-league-jack-welsby-leeds-hull-st-helens-b2693400.html|title=New Challenge Cup format to be reviewed as amateur teams prepare to face giants|date=6 February 2025|website=The Independent}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 3

! width="20%" | Super League

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|12|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|11|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|6|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|4|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|33|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Sheffield Eagles

| 12–48

| Wigan Warriors

| 7 February 2025, 19:30

| Olympic Legacy Park

| J. Smith

| 1,244

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Workington Town

| {{0|0}}0–60

| Leigh Leopards

| 7 February 2025, 19:30

| Derwent Park

| L. Rush

| 3,033

bgcolor=#f5faff

| York Knights

| {{0|0}}2–44

| Hull KR

| 7 February 2025, 20:00

| York Community Stadium

| C. Kendall

| 5,369

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Halifax Panthers

| {{0|0}}0–14

| Catalans Dragons

| 8 February 2025, 12:00

| The Shay

| M. Griffiths

| 806

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Wests Warriors

| {{0|0}}0–92

| Leeds Rhinos

| 8 February 2025, 12:00

| Headingley{{efn|Wests Warriors were drawn at home but agreed to play at Leeds Rhinos as their own ground was unusable.{{cite web |title=Leeds Rhinos to host Wests Warriors in Betfred Challenge Cup |url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/21280/leeds-rhinos-to-host-wests-warriors-in-betfred-challenge-cup |publisher=Leeds Rhinos |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=28 January 2025}}}}

| M. Lynn

| 1,310

bgcolor=#f5faff

| West Hull

| {{0|0}}0–38

| St Helens

| 8 February 2025, 14:00

| Craven Park{{efn| West Hull were drawn at home but agreed to play at Hull KR as their own ground was unusable.{{cite web |title=Saints to face West Hull at Sewell Group Craven Park |url=https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2025/01/28/saints-to-face-west-hull-at-sewell-group-craven-park/ |publisher=St Helens |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=28 January 2025}}}}

| S. Mikalauskas

| 5,500 (est){{efn|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.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Matthew |title=West Hull and St Helens crowd chaos leaves financial hit as call for help made |url=https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/west-hull-donations-crowd-chaos-963501 |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=All Out Rugby League |date=9 February 2025 |language=en}}}}

bgcolor=#f5faff

| York Acorn

| {{0|0}}6–52

| Hull FC

| 8 February 2025, 14:00

| Post Office Road{{efn|York Acorn were drawn at home but agreed to play at Featherstone as their own ground was unusable.{{cite web |title=Goole Vikings Date Confirmed |url=https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2025/01/29/details-for-betfred-challenge-cup-third-round-tie-confirmed/ |access-date=29 January 2025 |date=29 January 2025}}}}

| W. Turley

|

bgcolor=f5faff

| Goole Vikings

| {{0|0}}0–82

| Wakefield Trinity

| 8 February 2025, 15:00

| Belle Vue{{efn|Match switched to Belle Vue by agreement between the clubs.{{cite web |title=Goole Vikings Date Confirmed |url=https://wakefieldtrinity.com/goole-vikings-date-confirmed/ |publisher=Wakefield Trinity |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=28 January 2025}}}}

| C. Worsley

| 2,032

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Whitehaven

| {{0|0}}4–44

| Warrington Wolves

| 8 February 2025, 15:00

| Recreation Ground

| A. Moore

| 3,980

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Bradford Bulls

| 18–16

| Castleford Tigers

| 9 February 2025, 13:00

| Odsal Stadium

| L. Moore

| 2,946

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Batley Bulldogs

| 26–4{{0|0}}

| Dewsbury Rams

| 9 February 2025, 14:00

| Mount Pleasant

| R. Cox

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Featherstone Rovers

| 68–0{{0|0}}

| Ince Rose Bridge

| 9 February 2025, 14:00

| Post Office Road

| A. Sweet

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Midlands Hurricanes

| 10–46

| Salford Red Devils

| 9 February 2025, 14:00

| Alexander Stadium

| A. Belafonte

| 985

bgcolor=#f5faff

| North Wales Crusaders

| 20–26

| Widnes Vikings

| 9 February 2025, 14:30

| Eirias Stadium

| D. Arnold

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hunslet

| {{0|0}}6–34

| Huddersfield Giants

| 9 February 2025, 15:00

| South Leeds Stadium

| T. Grant

| 831

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Oldham

| 42–4{{0|0}}

| Barrow Raiders

| 9 February 2025, 15:00

| Boundary Park

| K. Moore

| 1,064

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 | Source:{{cite news |title=Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |page=27 |issue=3467 |date=10 February 2025}}

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.{{cite news |title=RFL 2025 Challenge Cup Fourth Round draw details and time revealed |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-fourth-round-draw-details-and-time-revealed |access-date=8 February 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=7 February 2025 |language=en}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of round 4

! width="20%" | Super League

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|11|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|5|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|16|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hull KR

| 40–0{{0|0}}

| Oldham

| 14 March 2025, 20:00

| Craven Park

| T. Grant

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Salford Red Devils

| 26–16

| Bradford Bulls

| 14 March 2025, 20:00

| Salford Community Stadium

| J. Smith

| 3,066

bgcolor=#f5faff

| St Helens

| 22–14

| Leeds Rhinos

| 14 March 2025, 20:00

| Totally Wicked Stadium

| L. Moore

| 7,531

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Catalans Dragons

| 46–18

| Featherstone Rovers

| 15 March 2025, 17:00

| Stade Gilbert Brutus

| M. Griffiths

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Widnes Vikings

| 16–26

| Warrington Wolves

| 15 March 2025, 17:00

| Halton Stadium

| J. Vella

| 7,011

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Wigan Warriors

| 22–26

| Hull FC

| 15 March 2025, 17:45

| Brick Community Stadium

| C. Kendall

| 9,287

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Huddersfield Giants

| 12–22

| Wakefield Trinity

| 16 March 2025, 15:00

| John Smiths Stadium

| A. Moore

| 3,195

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Leigh Leopards

| 62–4{{0|0}}

| Batley Bulldogs

| 16 March 2025, 15:00

| Leigh Sports Village

| L. Rush

| 4,717

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 |Source:{{cite news |title=Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Four |work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |page=31 |issue=3472 |date=17 March 2025}}

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals took place on Monday 17 March 2025, live on BBC Radio 5 Live sport.{{cite news |title=RFL 2025 Challenge Cup Quarter Finals draw details |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63548/betfred-challenge-cup-quarter-final-draw-details |access-date=14 March 2025 |publisher=RFL |language=en}}

The attendance of 20,226 at the Hull Derby, was the highest attendance at a cup match outside a final since the 1989 quarter final between Leeds and Widnes.{{cite news |title=Challenge Cup attendance watch: Hull derby draws huge crowd as quarter-final showpiece |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-attendance-watch-quarter-finals-2025 |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=7 April 2025 |language=en}} Despite increased attendances at games, the televised games viewing figures were less than hoped for due to competition with the Grand National on Saturday.{{cite news |title=BBC's Challenge Cup Hull derby viewing figures in as full numbers revealed |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/bbcs-challenge-cup-hull-derby-viewing-figures-in-as-full-numbers-revealed |work=Love Rugby League |date=6 April 2025 |access-date=8 April 2025 |language=en}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of Quarter finals

! width="20%" | Super League

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|8|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|8|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup Quarter Final fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Catalans Dragons

| 20–12

| Salford Red Devils

| 4 April 2025, 19:00

| Stade Gilbert Brutus

| A. Moore

|

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Wakefield Trinity

| 12–20

| Leigh Leopards

| 4 April 2025, 20:00

| Belle Vue

| J. Smith

| 6,125

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hull FC

| 16–32

| Hull KR

| 5 April 2025, 14:30

| MKM Stadium

| C. Kendall

| 20,226

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Warrington Wolves

| 20–12

| St Helens

| 6 April 2025, 14:30

| Halliwell Jones Stadium

| L. Moore

| 10,114

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 |Source:

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals took place on Sunday 6 April 2025, during half time between Warrington Wolves and St Helens live on BBC Two.

Matches were played as part of a double header, alongside the women's semi finals. Saturday's semi-final received a peak television audience of 528,000 accounting for 9.6% of the viewer share, while Sunday's game received 396,000 accounting for 4.5%.https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-semi-final-posts-huge-viewing-numbers-in-bbc-boost

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of semi finals

! width="20%" | Super League

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|4|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|4|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup Semi Final fixtures

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Hull KR

| 36–12

| Catalans Dragons

| 10 May 2025, 14:30

| York Community Stadium

| C. Kendall

| 8,402

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Warrington Wolves

| 21–14

| Leigh Leopards

| 11 May 2025, 16:15

| Totally Wicked Stadium

| L. Moore

| 11,722

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 |Source:

Final

{{main|2025 Challenge Cup final}}

The final took place on Saturday 7 June 2025, as part of finals day, alongside the Women's final and the final of the 1895 Cup.

class="wikitable"

|+ Number of teams per tier remaining in competition at start of final

! width="20%" | Super League

! width="20%" | Championship

! width="20%" | League One

! width="20%" | Non-League

! width="20%" | Total

{{composition bar|2|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|12|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|11|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|0|34|width=100%|#99FF99}}

|{{composition bar|2|69|width=100%|#CCCCFF}}

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"; cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|+ Challenge Cup Final

bgcolor="#c1d8ff"

!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

bgcolor=#f5faff

| Warrington Wolves

| 6–8

| Hull KR

| 7 June 2025, 15:00

| Wembley Stadium

| L. Moore

| 63,278

style="background:#c1d8ff;"

! colspan=7 |Source:

Broadcast matches

class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center"

|+ Broadcast matches

! Round

! Match

! Date

! Broadcast method

rowspan=3 | 1st

| British Army v RAF

| 18 January

| Broadcast live on BFBS.{{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Kyle |title=BFBS Sport to show live coverage of Saturday's British Army v RAF Challenge Cup clash |url=https://www.forcesnews.com/sport/bfbs-sport-show-live-coverage-saturdays-british-army-v-raf-challenge-cup-clash |publisher=BFBS |access-date=9 January 2025 |date=6 January 2025}}

Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers

| 18 January

| Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=New team enters Challenge Cup to replace Wath Brow Hornets as another two kick-off times changed – Total Rugby League |url=https://www.totalrl.com/new-team-enters-challenge-cup-to-replace-wath-brow-hornets-as-another-two-kick-off-times-changed/ |publisher=Total RL |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=7 January 2025}}

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James

| 19 January

| Streamed live on The Sportsman.

rowspan=3 | 2nd

| London Broncos v Goole Vikings

| 25 January

| Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.{{cite news |title=BBC make Challenge Cup Second Round broadcast pick as First Round update delivered |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/bbc-make-challenge-cup-second-round-broadcast-pick-as-first-round-update-delivered |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=13 January 2025 |language=en}}

Royal Navy vs Workington Town

| 26 January

| Broadcast live on BFBS.{{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Kyle |title=Challenge Cup: How to watch Royal Navy's clash at home to Workington Town live|url=https://www.forcesnews.com/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-how-watch-royal-navys-clash-home-workington-town-live|publisher=BFBS |access-date=20 January 2025 |date=20 January 2025}}

Keighley Cougars v York Knights

| 2 February

| Streamed live on The Sportsman.{{cite news |title=Three Challenge Cup ties to be broadcast as The Sportsman reveals its picks|url=https://www.totalrl.com/three-challenge-cup-ties-to-be-broadcast-as-the-sportsman-reveals-its-picks/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=Total Rugby League |date=21 January 2025 |language=en}}

Rowspan=3|3rd

| York Knights v Hull KR

| 7 February

|Rowspan =2|Streamed live on The Sportsman.{{cite news |title=Hull KR and Catalans Betfred Challenge Cup clashes to be streamed live on The Sportsman|url=https://insights.betfred.com/rugby-league/betfred-challenge-cup-2025-live-third-round-matches/ |access-date=29 January 2025 |work=Betfred |date=29 January 2025 |language=en}}

Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons

|8 February

Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers

| 9 February

| Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.{{cite news |title=BBC make Challenge Cup Third Round broadcast pick as full schedule locked in|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-third-round-schedule-2025|access-date=28 January 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=28 January 2025 |language=en}}

Rowspan=2|4th

| St Helens v Leeds Rhinos

| 14 March

|Streamed live on The Sportsman.{{cite news |title=Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four – broadcast coverage confirmed|url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63473/betfred-challenge-cup-round-four-%E2%80%93-broadcast-coverage-confirmed |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=rugby-league.com|language=en}}

Wigan Warriors v Hull FC

|15 March

|Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.

Rowspan=3|QF

| Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards

| 4 April

|Streamed live on SuperLeague+

Hull FC vs Hull KR

| 5 April

|Broadcast live on BBC One {{cite news |title=Fixture and broadcast arrangements confirmed for Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals|url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63577/fixture-and-broadcast-arrangements-confirmed-for-betfred-challenge-cup-quarter-finals|access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Rugby Football League |date=18 March 2025 |language=en}}

Warrington Wolves vs St Helens

| 6 April

|Broadcast live on BBC Two {{cite news |title=Challenge Cup quarter-final broadcast picks made as schedule confirmed|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-quarter-final-broadcast-picks-made-as-schedule-confirmed|access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=18 March 2025 |language=en}}

Notes

{{noteslist}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{Challenge Cup}}

{{2025 in rugby league}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Challenge Cup}}

Category:2025 in English rugby league

Category:2025 in Welsh rugby league

Category:2025 in French rugby league

2025