The fifth instalment of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition returns this weekend, and the 2024 tournament is set to be bigger and better than ever, with a new and expanded format.
Founded in 2019, the 1895 Cup provides a unique chance for clubs outside of the Betfred Super League to battle it out for an experience to play in a final at the legendary Wembley Stadium.
Clubs' supporters, who dream of reaching Challenge Cup Finals Day and celebrating success under the famous arch, should eagerly await this year’s competition, as the 1895 Cup becomes an important part of the rugby league calendar.
The first set of group fixtures are underway this weekend, with seven League One clubs hosting their opponents. Prior to this, teams would qualify for the 1895 Cup based on their progression in the Betfred Challenge Cup, meaning the majority of lower league clubs haven’t had a realistic chance of making the big stage thus far.
But with an entirely new format and a series of seeded and regionalised group fixtures, there is now a strong platform for all Betfred Championship and League One sides, with an opportunity for League One clubs to draw decent crowds in the opening round.
York will kick off their cup campaign with a trip to Newcastle Thunder on Saturday, where Knights' Alex Donaghy, Connor Bailey and Nikau Williams could be in contention to make their competitive debuts against their former Thunder team-mates. Former Super League star and playmaker Richie Myler could also be set to make his competitive debut for both York and in the 1895 Cup competition.
York have won their last six away meetings with Newcastle Thunder, their most recent being a 20-6 victory last August. The Knights managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 1895 Cup last year – through reaching the sixth round of the Challenge Cup, before they were defeated by finalists Batley at the end of July.
Prior to this, York had made it all the way to Wembley in 2021, but fell short in a 41-34 defeat to Featherstone Rovers, where an action-packed try fest unfolded in the final.
Two-time finalists Featherstone have had a fair taste of an 1895 Cup Final, also featuring at Wembley in 2022 when they lost out to Leigh. The Rovers will embark on the first of two Yorkshire cup derbies in this year's group fixtures, firstly to Hunslet, who they are undefeated to in their last 26 meetings, before they travel to and entertain rivals Batley next weekend.
And there are more derbies taking place in the 1895 Cup’s opening round, as Keighley play hosts to Dewsbury; two sides that have exchanged places in the regular leagues for 2024. Then, over in Cumbria, Workington will face Barrow on home soil. Both teams have had plenty of time to prepare for their opening cup tie and should be raring to go, following a string of pre-season friendlies in January.
The first set of group fixtures will continue to take place far and wide, as Midlands Hurricanes will host fellow League One opponents Doncaster at the Alexander Stadium. To this date, Doncaster are the furthest a League One side has progressed in this competition, when they reached the quarter-finals in 2019, before falling agonisingly short to rivals and inaugural winners Sheffield Eagles. But with the latest structure revamp, could this all be set to change in 2024?
Elsewhere, Swinton Lions will kickstart their cup journey with a trip to North Wales Crusaders’ home ground, whilst finally, current 1895 Cup holders Halifax Panthers, who held off a late comeback by Batley Bulldogs to win 12-10 at Wembley Stadium last August, begin their title defence with a Round One trip to Boundary Park to face Oldham.
So far, there have been four different winners of four different finals since the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup was integrated into the league structure in 2019. Could there be a fifth winner in 2024?
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Round One fixtures in full:
A reminder of the new 2024 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup format can be found here.
Information and kick-off times regarding the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup fixtures can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre.
There are also a handful of pre-season friendlies taking place this weekend, with a preview for these available shortly.
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup and Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. Tickets are available online now from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.
