2024 Challenge Cup
Duration9 rounds
Broadcast partners

The 2024 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup, is the 123rd edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It will begin over the weekend of 13–14 January 2024, and will end with the final, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June.[1]

The defending champions are Leigh Leopards, who won the 2023 Final, by narrowly defeating Hull KR 17–16 in extra time.[2]

Background

The competition will start on 13 January, and will conclude with the final on 8 June.

The Championship and League One clubs will join the tournament in round 3. Rounds 4 and 5 reduced the lower league clubs to four before the Super League clubs enter in round 6.

Toulouse Olympique of the Championship are not full members of the RFL and although invited to take part have declined as in previous years.

Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format
Round Date Clubs involved this round Winners from previous round New entries this round Leagues entering at this round
Round 1 13–14 January20None2020 UK based community, and armed forces league teams
Round 2 27–28 January20101010 teams from National Conference League Premier Division
Round 3 10–11 February321022All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship and League One
Round 4 22 – 25 February1616None
Round 5 7–10 March88None
Round 6 22–24 March16412All 12 teams from the Super League
Quarter-finals 12–14 April88None
Semi-finals 18 –19 May44
Final 8 June22

First round

The draw for the first round was made by Josh Charnley on 5 December 2023. Ties to be played over the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2024.[3]

Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Royal Air Force 22–28 Royal Navy RAF Cranwell 13 January, 12:30 T. Jones Not given[lower-alpha 1]
Lowca 22–28 Edinburgh Eagles West Croft Terrace, Whitehaven 13 January, 13:30 L. Seal
South Wales Jets 4–40 Stanningley Wales Rugby Club, Cardiff 13 January, 13:30 J. Jones
Doncaster Toll Bar 22–20 Ashton Bears Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club 13 January, 13:30 D. Geddes
Clock Face Miners 22–20 Heworth Clock Face Miners Recreation 13 January, 13:30 W. Turley
Fryston Warriors 13–10 British Army Fryston Social Club 13 January, 14:00 C. Hughes
Oulton Raiders 22–34 West Bowling Oulton Sports Pavilion 13 January, 14:00
Wests Warriors 28–4 Newsome Panthers Twyford Avenue Sports Ground, London 13 January, 14:30
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 56–6 Medway Dragons Chiswick RFC 13 January, 15:00 G. Winnard
Orrell St James – Haresfinch Orrell St James Social Club 14 January, 14:00 D. Arnold

Second round

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Clock Face Miners – Siddal Clock Face Miners Recreation 27/28 January Not given[lower-alpha 1]
Doncaster Toll Bar – West Hull Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club 27/28 January
Fryston Warriors – Hunslet ARLFC Fryston Social Club 27/28 January
Hammersmith Hills Hoists – West Bowling Chiswick RFC 27/28 January
Hull Dockers – Wath Brow Hornets The Willows Sports Club 27/28 January
Leigh Miners Rangers – Stanningley Twist Lane 27/28 January
Lock Lane – Edinburgh Eagles Lock Lane Sports Centre 27/28 January
Orrell St James or Haresfinch – York Acorn 27/28 January
Royal Navy – Thatto Heath Crusaders United Services Recreation Ground 27/28 January
Wests Warriors – Rochdale Mayfield Twyford Avenue Sports Ground 27/28 January


  1. 1 2 Attendances not recorded for matches involving amateur clubs

References

  1. ↑ McAllister, Josh (5 December 2023). "Leigh Leopard Josh Charnley to conduct Round 1 & 2 Betfred Challenge Cup Draws". Rugbyleague.com.
  2. ↑ "Lachlan Lam kicks golden point drop goal to give Leigh first Wembley win in 52 years". BBC Sport. 28 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Leigh Leopards ace Josh Charnley makes Challenge Cup draws for Rounds One and Two". Love Rugby League. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
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