The Road to Wembley begins, as the eagerly-awaited Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup competition returns this weekend.
Wintry weather conditions have meant that some of the Round One matches will be postponed until next weekend, with the full details here.
BBC Sport will still cover Waterhead’s tie against Leigh Miners Rangers – with the same 12.30 kick-off time, but postponed to next Saturday (18 January).
Both teams are on an upward trend, having gained promotion together to the Premier Division of the National Conference League last season, and in Waterhead’s case, a third successive promotion.
And The Sportsman are still planning to show Thatto Heath’s blood and thunder battle against Orrell St James – again, delayed by a week, with further details to follow.
34 community teams have entered the competition for Round One, with all of these ties to be played on the weekends of January 11-12 and 18-19.
And the Challenge Cup has new structure in 2025, with the 12 Super League clubs joining the Road to Wembley at the Third Round stage.
This means clubs from the Betfred Championship, League One and even the community game will have more chance to secure a glamour tie at home to Super League opposition, as the Third Round draw is seeded to guarantee each of the Super League clubs travel away to one of the 20 Second Round winners.
Regardless of results in the First and Second Rounds, four community clubs are guaranteed to feature in Round Three of the Challenge Cup, where the magic of the competition is encapsulated.
So, what are some of the top ties we can look out for heading into the First Round?
British Army v British RAF
This all-Forces match is one of the highlight fixtures of the First Round, with the RAF, who are reigning Inter Services champions, travelling to face their Army rivals, who are looking to hit the ground running in 2025.
In September, the RAF sealed a first Inter Services triumph in eight years with a 24-12 win over the Army in Wakefield.
Who will progress to the Second Round? Make sure you tune in to watch on the British Forces Broadcasting YouTube channel.
Thatto Heath v Orrell St James
It’s a fierce St Helens v Wigan derby of sorts, where both teams have enjoyed decent cup runs in recent seasons.
Thatto have a history of springing upsets in the Challenge Cup, most recently beating North Wales Crusaders in 2019 and making it all the way to the Fifth Round, while Orrell St James have also featured in some memorable early-round matches.
The contest will be a replay of the 2024 BARLA National Cup Final, which Thatto Heath claimed the honours by the scoreline of 24-8.
If local bragging rights weren’t enough, the stakes have been raised even higher, with a trip to Betfred Championship’s Halifax Panthers next up for the winners…
With a bumper crowd expected, who will come out on top?
Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC
Stanley Rangers head into their first game as massive underdogs but will be relishing the chance to host the NCL’s three-peat champions Hunslet ARLFC.
The Rangers are making a Challenge Cup comeback for the first time since 2012, while Hunslet have made it to the Third Round in the past two seasons.
Hunslet will be aiming to equal this run in 2025, especially with there being the chance of hosting Super League opposition in Round Three. They played Wakefield Trinity at this stage last year, so will be hopeful of achieving another huge tie.
Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal
There’s action taking place in the capital as current SCL champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists will be looking for another strong cup run in 2025, having made the Fourth Round in 2024 where they were defeated by Halifax at The Shay.
They will have the pleasure of hosting NCL heavyweights Siddal, who are coached by the new Leeds Rhinos signing Jake Connor.
It is expected to be a scintillating contest between the two champions of their respective leagues.
Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors
There’s an all-Southern clash between SCL rivals Eastern Rhinos and former champions Wests Warriors.
Not only is this an exciting Challenge Cup tie for fans in the south, but it’s also perfect preparation for the league season where they will face each other at least twice.
And it's a cup debut for Eastern Rhinos, as they gear up to make history.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round One fixtures:
- Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers
- West Hull v Edinburgh Eagles
- Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch
- London Chargers v Oulton Raiders
- Longhorns v Ince Rose Bridge
- Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar
- Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal
- Mirfield v Royal Navy
- Crosfields v Maryport
- British Army v RAF
- Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC
- Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Raiders
- Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James
- West Bowling v Cutsyke Raiders
- GB Police v York Acorn
- Aberavon Fighting Irish v Blackbrook
- Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors
Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two - ties to be played on weekend of January 25-26:
- GB Police or York Acorn v London Chargers or Oulton Raiders
- Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath or Orrell St James
- Dewsbury Moor or Haresfinch v Dewsbury Rams
- Barrow Raiders v Crosfields or Maryport
- Mirfield or Royal Navy v Workington Town
- London Broncos v Goole Vikings
- Lock Lane or Doncaster Toll Bar v Hunslet RLFC
- Waterhead Warriors or Leigh Miners v Featherstone Rovers
- Eastern Rhinos or Wests Warriors v British Army or RAF
- Whitehaven v Swinton Lions
- Stanley Rangers or Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles
- Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings
- Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders
- Keighley Cougars v York Knights
- Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling or Cutsyke Raiders
- Bradford Bulls v Doncaster
- Aberavon Fighting Irish or Blackbrook v Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge
- Midlands Hurricanes v Hammersmith or Siddal
- Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders
- Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
