Round 3 of the Betfred Challenge Cup gets underway this weekend with the 13 Betfred Super League clubs entering the competition, ready to face Betfred Championship and community club opposition.
The Road to Wembley is has begun, with every team dreaming of a chance to walk out and play on the hallowed turf.
The magic of the Challenge Cup is about to be encapuslated once again in 2026, starting with community club Lock Lane preparing for their fairytale tie with current holders Hull KR, which will take place at Sewell Group Craven Park on Friday Night.
Lock Lane are the only community side remaining.
Meanwhile, Workington Town welcome St Helens to Cumbria live on The Sportsman. There have been three previous Challenge Cup meetings between the two sides, with the teams last going head-to-head in the inaugural Super League season – almost 30 years ago.
There are three more ties taking place on the Friday. Salford will reunite with Hull FC as the Black & Whites look to reiterate the glory of the past, having won the Challenge Cup back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.
1998 winners Sheffield Eagles are at home to last year’s finalists Warrington Wolves, whilst Hunslet and Huddersfield Giants meet again for a second successive year in Round 3. The Giants were 6-34 victors in 2025.
On Saturday, former ‘Cup Kings’ Widnes Vikings will take on 2020 winners Leeds Rhinos. Both teams are rich in history where the Challenge Cup is concerned and have met a total of 18 times in this competition, including the 1977 final.
Their most recent meeting came in 2018 where the Vikings came close to pulling off a huge shock, as they pushed the Rhinos all the way on home soil, before eventually losing out 20-23.
Will we see another close contest at the DCBL Stadium on Saturday? You can watch their fight for a Fourth Round place unfold live on The Sportsman, in their second offering of the weekend.
Meanwhile, Doncaster and Castleford Tigers will battle it out for a place in the Fourth Round in a local encounter, Barrow Raiders at home to York Knights, and North Wales Crusaders go up against 2023 winners Leigh Leopards at Colwyn Bay.
Sunday then sees the majority of the Third Round action which includes arguably the standout tie of the round – an unmissable clash between a revitalised London Broncos and Bradford Bulls, live on BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer.
Bradford, back in Betfred Super League after a 12-year absence, will head south to face ambitious opponents who are hoping to make strides in the Championship this season.
London, high-flying since Australian superstar Darren Lockyer took part ownership, will hope to cause an upset as sides continue their journey to Wembley.
They haven’t reached the final since 1999 when a team featuring rugby league greats Shaun Edwards and Martin Offiah lost out to Leeds Rhinos.
Bradford, whose last Cup final win came in 2003, are looking to press on into the fourth round as they step up their preparations for their Super League return.
It’s going to be a special day for Swinton Lions as they host five-time winners Wakefield Trinity.
The season of 2026 marks the 100th Anniversary of Swinton’s enthralling 1926 Challenge Cup victory over Oldham, with a cause for celebration at Heywood Road.
Less than 20 miles away, Rochdale Hornets have secured a glamour tie against 21-time record winners Wigan Warriors, with a bumper crowd expected at Crown Oil Arena.
Interestingly, Wigan have met Sunday's opponents ten times in Challenge Cup history, winning all ten. In the 1948 and 1958 competitions, they came up against Rochdale at the semi-final stage before going on to eventually lift the trophy on both occasions.
At the Fox's Biscuits Stadium, Batley Bulldogs are gearing up to host French side Catalans Dragons.
The final three games of the weekend are all-Betfred Championship ties, meaning at least three second tier sides are guaranteed a spot in Round 4.
Halifax Panthers entertain Goole Vikings at The Shay, Oldham face Dewsbury Rams, and Keighley Cougars play Midlands Hurricanes.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 3 fixtures:
Friday February 6
Hunslet v Huddersfield Giants (KO 7pm)
Workington Town v St Helens (KO 7.30pm) - The Sportsman
Sheffield Eagles v Warrington Wolves (KO 7.30pm)
Lock Lane v Hull KR (KO 8pm)
Salford RLFC v Hull FC (KO 8pm)
Saturday February 7
Doncaster RLFC v Castleford Tigers (KO 2pm)
Widnes Vikings v Leeds Rhinos (KO 3pm) - The Sportsman
Barrow Raiders v York Knights (KO 6pm)
North Wales Crusaders v Leigh Leopards (7pm)
Sunday February 8
London Broncos v Bradford Bulls (KO 3pm) - BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer
Swinton Lions v Wakefield Trinity (KO 3pm)
Batley Bulldogs v Catalans Dragons (KO 2pm)
Rochdale Hornets v Wigan Warriors (KO 3pm)
Halifax Panthers v Goole Vikings (KO 3pm)
Oldham RLFC v Dewsbury Rams (KO 3pm) - Bower Fold, Stalybridge
Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes (KO 3pm)
Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates:
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
It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here today and enjoy our early bird prices!
