Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP confirmed as Chief Guest for historic Betfred Challenge Cup double header

Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the President of the Rugby Football League, will be the Chief Guest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday for Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day.

Sir Lindsay will become the second Speaker to fulfil the role, following in the distinguished footsteps of the late Baroness Boothroyd who was Chief Guest for the 1994 Challenge Cup Final between Leeds and Wigan.

“We are delighted and honoured that Sir Lindsay has accepted our invitation as Chief Guest for the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium,” said Simon Johnson, the RFL Chair.

“His passion for Rugby League is widely known, and his evangelism for our sport has had a more prominent platform than ever since his appointment to one of the great political offices of the land in 2019.

“It will be a special and historic Finals Day, including the first Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens as well as the 1895 Cup Final between Batley Bulldogs and Halifax Panthers, and it will be our privilege to welcome Sir Lindsay to the Royal Box, and to our presentation parties before the Challenge Cup Finals.

“I am also thrilled that he will be attending Rugby League’s unique Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Friday morning, ahead of Finals Day, in his role as RFL President.”