The 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup began today (November 24), with the draws for the first two rounds of the competition taking place at the RFL’s Etihad Campus headquarters.
Both were hosted by broadcaster Ross Fiddes, and the balls drawn by two players who were Betfred Challenge Cup winners at Wembley Stadium in 2025 – the Wigan Warriors loose forward Megan Williams, and James Batchelor of Hull KR.
The draw included 34 clubs and teams from the community game for the First Round, with the 21 clubs due to play in next season’s expanded Betfred Championship then joining for the Second Round.
The format of the remainder of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup will be the same as in 2025, following the positive impact of a new-look Third Round in which the Betfred Super League clubs will again be seeded, and therefore guaranteed an away tie against the community and Championship clubs who win the 19 Second Round ties.
As has become traditional, the First Round ties will kick off the season, with the 17 matches to be played on the weekend of January 10-11.
The 19 Second Round ties will be played on the weekend of January 24-25, with the 16 Third Round ties on the weekend of February 7-8 – before the 2026 Betfred Super League season kicks off on Thursday February 12.
A reminder of details surrounding Rounds One and Two can be found here: Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 – First and Second Round draws details
Challenge Cup Round One draw – ties to be played weekend of January 10-11
Orrell St James v Haresfinch
Wigan St Judes v Leigh Miners Rangers
Rochdale Mayfield v Ince Rose Bridge
Blackbrook v GB Police
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Seaton Rangers
Siddal v Waterhead
Stanningley v Dewsbury Moor
Kings Cross Park v West Hull
Hunslet ARLFC v York Acorn
Heworth v RAF
Brighouse Rangers v Lock Lane
Woodhouse Warriors v Mirfield Spartans
Bedford Tigers v Medway Dragons
British Army v Wests Warriors
Broncos (Northern Ireland) v Aberavon Fighting Irish
Telford Raiders v London Chargers
Royal Navy v Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Challenge Cup Round Two draw - ties to be played on the weekend of January 24-25
Oldham v Orrell St James/Haresfinch
Wigan St Jude/Leigh Miners Rangers v Barrow Raiders
Rochdale Mayfield/Ince Rose Bridge v Swinton Lions
Blackbrook/GB Police v Workington Town
Thatto Heath Crusaders/Seaton Rangers v Widnes Vikings
Siddal/Waterhead v Rochdale Hornets
Stanningley/Dewsbury Moor v Hunslet
Dewsbury Rams v Kings Cross Park/West Hull
Batley Bulldogs v Hunslet ARLFC/York Acorn
Heworth/RAF v Keighley Cougars
Brighouse Rangers/Lock Lane v Featherstone Rovers
Woodhouse Warriors/Mirfield Spartans v Goole Vikings
North Wales Crusaders v Bedford Tigers/Medway Dragons
London Broncos v British Army/Wests Warriors
Midlands Hurricanes v Broncos (Northern Ireland)/Aberavon Fighting Irish
Halifax Panthers v Telford Raiders/London Chargers
Royal Navy/Hammersmith Hills Hoist v Salford Red Devils
Sheffield Eagles v Whitehaven
Doncaster v Newcastle Thunder
Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates
First Round draw – Monday November 24 (4pm release)
First Round (Community) – Jan 10-11
Second Round (Championship clubs enter) – Jan 24-25
Third Round (Super League clubs enter) – Feb 6-8
Fourth Round (last 16) – March 14-15
Quarter Finals – April 11-12
Semi Finals – May 9/10
Final – Saturday May 30
