The format of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup can be confirmed today (12 January) following the group stage draw which took place at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield - with a new team taking part in the competition in 2026.
For the first time, Catalans Dragons, who play in the French division will also feature in the Women’s Challenge Cup, playing all of their games in England.
All eight Betfred Women’s Super League teams will also compete for a spot at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May, alongside two clubs from the Northern Championship - Cardiff Demons and London Broncos.
The 11 teams have been drawn into three groups of three and one group of two. As in previous years, the draw has been seeded with one of the last season’s top four teams – Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie, in each group, alongside one or two teams selected from the remaining eight.
The three rounds of group fixtures are scheduled to take place on the weekends of April 4/5, 11/12 and 18/19. Each team will play two games over the three weekends with the top two teams progressing to the quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals will then be played at the home ground of the team that finished top of their group on April 25/26. The fixtures for this will be based on the initial draw.
Following the quarter-finals, all games will be played as double-headers alongside the Men’s competition, starting with the semi-finals on May 9/10 and culminating with the 2026 Women’s Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 30 May at Wembley Stadium.
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup – Group stage draw
Group A
St Helens
Catalans
Huddersfield
Group B
Leeds Rhinos
London Broncos
Leigh Leopards
Group C
Wigan Warriors
Cardiff Demons
Featherstone Rovers
Group D
York Valkyrie
Barrow Raiders
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Key Dates:
Round 1 – April 4/5
Round 2 – April 11/12
Round 3 – April 18/19
Quarter-finals – April 25/26
Semi-finals – May 9/10
Final – Saturday 30 May
The 2025 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s. Get yours here!
