#ChallengeCup
After a successful first year of broadcasting the early rounds of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup in 2017, BBC Sport have again committed to streaming rounds one to five of this year’s competition, starting with Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields on Saturday, January 27 (2.00pm) at the Mayfield Sports Centre.
Rochdale Mayfield (National Conference League Premier Division) reached the third round last year, meeting League 1 side Barrow Raiders. They made the same round in 2016 setting up a local derby with Rochdale Hornets.
These two clubs met in the opening round of the 2010 Challenge Cup and will be the first time Crosfields (National Conference League Division 2) have played in the competition since 2011.
Showcasing the game from grass roots level upwards, streamed games featuring the likes of Siddal v Toronto Wolfpack and Oldham v Haydock attracted large online viewing figures last year.
BBC Sport and the Rugby Football League will live stream one game from each of the first five rounds of the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. When the competition reaches the sixth round and beyond, matches will be screened on BBC1 and BBC2 over each weekend.
Tickets for the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 25 can be purchased by calling the Rugby League Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugby-league.com/tickets.
