It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. And it's becoming a habit that these two finalists keep meeting on the big stage.
Wigan Warriors and Hull KR will walk-out at Wembley on Saturday afternoon with their ever-growing rivalry at its peak, but which side will be lifting the famous trophy?
Wigan are cup kings, having won the trophy a record 21-times and featured in 33 Challenge Cup Finals.
The Robins, on the other hand, may have only lifted the Challenge Cup on two occasions in history, but are the current holders of the competition, and swept past the Warriors in last year’s Betfred Super League Grand Final.
These are the two teams to beat in recent seasons, and we expect nothing less than a scintillating showdown when the two teams clash under the arch this upcoming weekend.
There is a total of eleven Challenge Cup meetings between Wigan and Hull KR, but this will be their first ever meeting in a final. Their most recent one came in the form of the 2024 Semi-Final – where the Warriors enacted their revenge from the 2023 Semi-Final and beat the Robins comfortably, 6-38.
A year prior, Hull KR had booked their place at Wembley in dramatic fashion, with a Brad Schneider drop goal proving to be the difference in Golden Point extra time (11-10).
Both sides have been formidable in their journeys to this year’s Final, and below are their respective results...
Their Roads to Wembley in 2026:
Round 3
Lock Lane 0 Hull KR 104
Rochdale Hornets 0 Wigan Warriors 83
Round 4
Huddersfield Giants 12 Hull KR 52
Wigan Warriors 30 Bradford Bulls 6
Quarter-Final
Hull KR 48 York Knights 10
Wakefield Trinity 22 Wigan Warriors 26
Semi-Final
Warrington Wolves 12 Hull KR 32
St Helens 0 Wigan Warriors 32
Last ten meetings:
Hull KR 24, Wigan 6 (SLGF at Old Trafford, Manchester, 11/10/25)
Wigan 6, Hull KR 10 (SLR22, 15/8/25)
Hull KR 12, Wigan 28 (SLR7, 11/4/25)
Hull KR 2, Wigan 9 (SLGF at Old Trafford, Manchester, 12/10/24)
Wigan 24, Hull KR 20 (SLR25, 6/9/24)
Hull KR 6, Wigan 38 (CCSF at Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 18/5/24)
Hull KR 26, Wigan 10 (SLR9, 26/4/24)
Wigan 42, Hull KR 12 (SLSF, 7/10/23)
Wigan 64, Hull KR 6 (SLR21, 4/8/23)
Hull KR 11, Wigan 10 (CCSF at AMT Headingley, Leeds, 23/7/23)
In their previous ten meetings, the Warriors have won six, whilst the Robins have won four.
Willie Peters’ men have won the most recent two, and it’s one Grand Final apiece in the last two years.
Both teams have the experience and know their way to the trophies – after all, Hull KR are the current treble winers, and Wigan are synonymous with silverware, and the Challenge Cup.
All signs suggest another closely fought contest in the 2026 Challenge Cup Final between two of the sport’s chief entertainers, but who are you backing?
You can watch 2026 Final on BBC One on Saturday, with live coverage starting from 2pm.
Squads:
Wigan Warriors: TBC
Hull KR: TBC
Tickets for 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup Final can be purchased here.
