The Fourth Round Betfred Challenge Cup gets underway this weekend and here is a look at all eight cup ties as the Road to Wembley continues…
A classic awaits on Friday Night as BBC iPlayer will roll back the years to the famous 1968 ‘Watersplash’ Challenge Cup Final between Leeds and Wakefield Trinity with coverage of their Round 4 clash.
This West Yorkshire Derby kicks off the weekend’s cup action, with a bumper crowd expected at the DIY Kitchens Stadium as Leeds make the short distance trip.
There have been 20 Challenge Cup meetings between the sides throughout its 129 years of history. The Rhinos are one of the most decorated teams, having won the cup 14 times, whilst Trinity are five-time winners.
They last faced off in Round 20 of the 2025 Betfred Super League, with Mason Lino’s dramatic drop goal snatching victory for Wakefield at the death. Could there be another thriller on the cards?
Also in the Fourth Round, two old foes are set to reunite in Wigan Warriors and Bradford Bulls.
Wigan are the most successful club in the competition, winning the Challenge Cup a record 21 times – and most recently in 2024.
Matt Peet’s men enter this highly anticipated cup match on the back of a perfect start to the Super League season and look to be a formidable force across both league and cup in 2026.
They have to do it without their star man Bevan French and Jai Field, however, who are both set for a spell on the side-lines.
Bradford, who have renewed optimism around the club, continue to rebuild and show signs of returning to the competitive force they once were.
They pushed fellow heavyweights St Helens all the way in Round 4 of Super League last Saturday and will be relishing the chance to take on the Warriors.
Their tie is rich in cup history, having met a total of 20 times, including two finals dating back to 1944 and 1948.
Bradford have lifted the coveted Challenge Cup trophy on five occasions – their last win coming at Murrayfield in their treble-winning season, in 2003.
Saturday then sees the remaining six cup ties out.
It’s a repeat of the 2022 semi-final as Huddersfield Giants meet current holders Hull KR in front of The Sportsman’s cameras.
Their last Challenge Cup encounter saw the Giants claim a comfortable 25-4 victory over Hull KR and progress to the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they agonisingly lost out to the Warriors.
Fast forward to 2026, however, and it’s the Robins who are high flying, and they will be determined to keep their title defence alive when they return to the Accu Stadium for a second week running.
Hull KR ran riot last Sunday against bottom-placed Huddersfield in Super League (6-32), but as the well-known saying reads…form goes out the window in the any sporting cup competition, and it’s a chance for the Giants to knock out one of the favourites.
Willie Peters’ men won’t want to give up on their title that easily though, with 2025’s last-gasp cup win marking a memorable moment – the club’s first major trophy since 1985.
Castleford Tigers have a home draw in Round 4 and will entertain St Helens in their first cup meeting since the 2021 final, where Saints beat the Tigers 26-12 to secure their 13th title.
Anything can happen with the intimidating atmosphere at the OneBore Stadium, however, although it is the Saints who have won their last four away meetings there.
Meanwhile, 2026 marks a decade since Hull FC began their famous back-to-back cup feat. The Black & Whites will be holding out for similar glory once more, although it’s Leigh Leopards who are standing in their way.
The Leopards stunned the rugby league world with their 2023 Challenge Cup victory and will be hopeful of reiterating similar success and returning to the iconic Wembley Stadium.
The sides last cup meeting came in the 2005 competition, where Hull FC went on to lift the famous trophy that same year.
Who will book their place in the quarter-finals?
Goole Vikings are gearing up to feature in the Fourth Round for the first time in their club history with Scott Taylor’s side rewarded with a standout tie against nine-time winners Warrington Wolves which will take place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Along with the Vikings, Oldham and Keighley Cougars are the remaining Betfred Championship teams.
The Roughyeds will enjoy an away trip to the south of France and play 2018 winners Catalans Dragons, whilst the Cougars travel to York Knights and do battle.
Who will be up for the cup, and which teams will reach the last eight?
Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four fixtures:
Friday 13 March
Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos, KO 8pm – BBC iPlayer
Wigan Warriors v Bradford Bulls, KO 8pm
Saturday 14 March
York Knights v Keighley Cougars, KO 12pm
Goole Vikings v Warrington Wolves, KO 2pm
Leigh Leopards v Hull FC, KO 2pm
Huddersfield Giants v Hull KR, KO 3pm – The Sportsman
Castleford Tigers v St Helens, KO 6pm
Catalans Dragons v Oldham RLFC, KO 6.30pm
The Quarter Final Draw Details will be confirmed shortly.
Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates:
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!
