The seventh instalment of the 1895 Cup Final will take place this Bank Holiday Monday.
This year, the final heads North to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the home of the Warrington Wolves, where Betfred Championship’s league leaders London Broncos will take on former cup Kings Widnes Vikings in a highly anticipated encounter.
Both sides have earned their place in the final after emphatic wins in the semis - with the Vikings securing their spot with a comprehensive 52-0 victory against Rochdale Hornets on home soil, whilst the Broncos cruised past Midlands Hurricanes on the road, 24-62.
Widnes are no strangers to the 1895 Cup Final, having featured in the inaugural one against Sheffield Eagles, back in 2019.
The Chemics endured to a 36-18 defeat that day thanks to Sheffield’s second half surge.
Only five players remain from that 2019 team - Jay Chapelhow, Tom Gilmore, Jordan Johnstone, Jack Owens and Sam Wilde are all still going strong.
Widnes will become just the fourth club to appear in an 1895 Cup Final twice - only Sheffield, Featherstone Rovers and York Knights have achieved this feat before.
Meanwhile, a high-flying London will be making their debut in this prestigious final and are aiming to add another piece of silverware to their cabinet in 2026.
Jason Demetriou’s star-studded outfit have dominated the Championship competition this season, enduring just one defeat and scoring a record-breaking 1445 attacking points.
As a result, they were crowned League Leaders’ Shield winners last Sunday.
And there’s set to be a new name on the 1895 Cup once again this year with the previous six finals having had six different winners (Sheffield, Featherstone, Leigh Centurions (now Leopards), Halifax Panthers, Wakefield Trinity and York).
Saturday finalists have already met twice in 2026, and another bruising battle is anticipated this Bank Holiday Monday.
It was a comfortable 44-12 victory for the Broncos in the opening Championship round of the season.
More recently, however, Widnes pushed their opponents all the way in a thrilling points fest, mounting a late comeback but falling just short (42-36).
A valiant Vikings will go into Monday’s final as underdogs, but will Allan Coleman's men finally be able to overcome a relentless Broncos outfit? We should expect fireworks!
Ones to watch for London, of course, include captain Reagan Campbell-Gillard, former formidable NRL forward, as well as PNG’s Gairo Voro and the prospering Neil Tchamambe, who are the Championship’s current joint top try scorers.
Siliva Havili is another stand out, alongside loyal Londoner Alex Walker, who will hoping to put his best foot forward for his team.
For Widnes, the experience of the famous five from the 2019 side (Chapelhow, Gilmore, Johnstone, Owens and Wilde) will be hoping to make a strong impact and lead their club to victory.
As will Dan Murray, who was the Vikings’ Player of the Year last year and has continued to impress in 2026.
Can Nathan Connell be of influence? The versatile back has racked up 16 tries in all competitions this season. Playmaker Danny Richardson will also be relishing the occasion to test himself against a strong London defence.
Who will want it more on Monday?
The 1895 Cup Final will take place on Monday 31 August at the Halliwell Jones Stadium (K.O. 3pm).
Get your tickets here!
