Fixtures for the group stage of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup are confirmed today with holders St Helens facing current Women’s Super League South champions London Broncos at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday March 16 in the competition’s opening round.
Both teams were placed into Group Three alongside Bradford Bulls and Warrington Wolves during a live draw on BBC Radio Merseyside earlier this month.
Sheffield Eagles will host current Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie when they make their debut in the competition. The Eagles women’s team have made rapid progression since forming in 2021 and will be joined in Group One by Featherstone Rovers.
In Group Two, 2023 Semi-Finalists Wigan Warriors begin their campaign away to Salford Red Devils and Cardiff Demons – who reached the Quarter Finals for the first-time last year - host Barrow Raiders.
The opening round matches in Group Four will include Leigh Leopards hosting two-time Challenge Cup winners Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants taking on Hull KR.
The competition will again begin on a round robin basis, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Quarter Finals on April 13/14.
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group stage round one ties:
Saturday 16 March
Group One
- Sheffield Eagles v York Valkyrie, Olympic Legacy Park
Group Two
- Cardiff Demons v Barrow Raiders, Cardiff University Sports Fields
- Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors, Salford Stadium
Group Three
- St Helens v London Broncos, Totally Wicked Stadium
- Bradford Bulls v Warrington Wolves, Odsal Stadium
Group Four
- Huddersfield Giants v Hull KR, Laund Hill
- Leigh Leopards v Leeds Rhinos, Twist Lane
Group One will consist of three teams, Castleford Tigers having withdrawn from the competition. The top two will go through to the Quarter Finals.
The Women’s 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online 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.
A full list of the group stage fixtures can be found here.
