2024 Challenge Cup
| Duration | 9 rounds |
|---|---|
| Broadcast partners |
|
| Winners | Wigan Warriors |
| Runners-up | Warrington Wolves |
| Lance Todd Trophy | Bevan French (Wigan) |
| Top point-scorer(s) | Max Jowitt (56) |
| Top try-scorer(s) | Manoa Wacokecoke (8) |
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 began over the weekend of 13–14 January 2024, and ended with the final, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June.[1]
The cup was won by Wigan Warriors who beat Warrington Wolves 18–8 before a 64,000 crowd at Wembley.[2]
Wigan's Bevan French was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy.[3]
Leigh Leopards were the defending champions, having won the 2023 Final, defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 17–16 in extra time.[4] They were eliminated in the quarter finals, losing 16–24 to Hull KR.[5]
Background
[edit]The competition started on 13 January, and concluded with the final on 8 June.
The Championship and League One clubs joined 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
[edit]| Round | Date | Clubs involved this round | Winners from previous round | New entries this round | Leagues entering at this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 13–14 January | 20 | None | 20 | 20 UK based community, and armed forces league teams |
| Round 2 | 27–28 January | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 teams from National Conference League Premier Division |
| Round 3 | 10–11 February | 32 | 10 | 22 | All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship and League One |
| Round 4 | 22 – 25 February | 16 | 16 | None | |
| Round 5 | 7–10 March | 8 | 8 | None | |
| Round 6 | 22–24 March | 16 | 4 | 12 | All 12 teams from the Super League |
| Quarter-finals | 12–14 April | 8 | 8 | None | |
| Semi-finals | 18 –19 May | 4 | 4 | ||
| Final | 8 June | 2 | 2 | ||
First round
[edit]The draw for the first round was made by Josh Charnley on 5 December 2023. Ties were played over the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2024.[6]
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Royal Air Force | 22–28 | Royal Navy | 13 January, 12:30 | RAF Cranwell | T. Jones | Not given[a] |
| Lowca | 22–28 | Edinburgh Eagles | 13 January, 13:30 | West Croft Terrace, Whitehaven | L. Seal | |
| South Wales Jets | 4–40 | Stanningley | 13 January, 13:30 | Wales Rugby Club, Cardiff | J. Jones | |
| Doncaster Toll Bar | 22–20 | Ashton Bears | 13 January, 13:30 | Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club | D. Geddes | |
| Clock Face Miners | 22–20 | Heworth | 13 January, 13:30 | Clock Face Miners Recreation | W. Turley | |
| Fryston Warriors | 13–10 | British Army | 13 January, 14:00 | Fryston Social Club | C. Hughes | |
| Oulton Raiders | 22–34 | West Bowling | 13 January, 14:00 | Oulton Sports Pavilion | ||
| Wests Warriors | 28–4 | Newsome Panthers | 13 January, 14:30 | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | ||
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 56–6 | Medway Dragons | 13 January, 15:00 | Chiswick RFC | G. Winnard | |
| Orrell St James | 20–4 | Haresfinch | 14 January, 14:00 | Orrell St James Social Club | D. Arnold | |
| Source:[7] | ||||||
Second round
[edit]| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 18–19 | Stanningley | 27 January, 12:30 | Twist Lane | S. Jenkinson | Not given[a] |
| Clock Face Miners | 4–38 | Siddal | 27 January, 13:30 | Clock Face Miners Recreation | L. Flavell | |
| Doncaster Toll Bar | 18–40 | West Hull | 27 January, 13:30 | Doncaster Toll Bar Sports Club | O. Salmon | |
| Fryston Warriors | 0–68 | Hunslet ARLFC | 27 January, 14:00 | Fryston Social Club | M. Clayton | |
| Hull Dockers | 0–38 | Wath Brow Hornets | 27 January, 14:00 | The Willows Sports Club | C. Hughes | |
| Lock Lane | 72–0 | Edinburgh Eagles | 27 January, 14:00 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | M. Mckelvey | |
| Wests Warriors | 28–22 | Rochdale Mayfield | 27 January, 14:00 | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | ||
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 32–10 | West Bowling | 27 January, 17:00 | Chiswick RFC | G. Winnard | |
| Royal Navy | 24–32 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 28 January, 12:30 | United Services Recreation Ground | H. Winnard | |
| Orrell St James | 12–22 | York Acorn | 28 January, 14:00 | Orrell St James Social Club | W. Turley | |
| Source:[8] | ||||||
Third round
[edit]The draws for the third and fourth rounds were made live on the BBC Sport website on 29 January. The draw took place at Widnes Vikings' DCBL Stadium. Hosted by broadcaster Tanya Arnold, the draw was made by brothers Mike and Steve O'Neill, both of whom played for Widnes in the club's 1983–84 Challenge Cup final victory.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Barrow Raiders | 10–22 | Oldham | 10 February, 12:30 | Craven Park | M. Griffiths | 1,401 |
| Cornwall | 10–18 | York Acorn | 10 February, 13:00 | The Memorial Ground | K. Young | |
| Lock Lane | 6–46 | Hunslet ARLFC | 10 February, 14:00 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | S. Jenkinson | |
| Sheffield Eagles | 88–12 | Newcastle Thunder | 10 February, 14:00 | Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium | D. Arnold | 617 |
| Stanningley | 4–30 | Wath Brow Hornets | 10 February, 14:00 | Arthur Miller Stadium | C. Hughes | |
| Siddal | 6–70 | Wakefield Trinity | 10 February, 14:00 | Chevinedge | L. Bland | 900 |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 22–12 | Wests Warriors | 10 February, 14:30 | Chiswick R.F.C. | H. Winnard | |
| Batley Bulldogs | 48–18 | Workington Town | 11 February, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | K. Moore | |
| Dewsbury Rams | 8–14 | York Knights | 11 February, 14:00 | Crown Flatt | M. Smaill | 824 |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders | 0–72 | Featherstone Rovers | 11 February, 14:00 | Crusader Park | S. Houghton | |
| Bradford Bulls | 48–2 | North Wales Crusaders | 11 February, 15:00 | Odsal Stadium | B. Milligan | |
| Halifax Panthers | 32–4 | Whitehaven | 11 February, 15:00 | The Shay | C. Worsley | |
| Hunslet | 14–22 | Keighley Cougars | 11 February, 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | A. Sweet | 817 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 24–20 | Midlands Hurricanes | 11 February, 15:00 | Spotland Stadium | M. Lynn | 411 |
| Swinton Lions | 50–6 | West Hull | 11 February, 15:00 | Heywood Road | T. Jones | 441 |
| Widnes Vikings | 50–16 | Doncaster | 11 February, 15:00 | DCBL Stadium | L. Rush | 788 |
| Source:[9] | ||||||
Fourth round
[edit]| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| York Acorn | 32–28 | Wath Brow Hornets | 24 February, 14:00 | Thanet Road | N. Bennett | |
| Halifax Panthers | 50–4 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 24 February, 17:00 | The Shay | B. Milligan | 724 |
| Bradford Bulls | 12–26 | Widnes Vikings | 25 February, 12:30 | Odsal Stadium | B. Thaler | |
| Batley Bulldogs | 30–14 | Rochdale Hornets | 25 February, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | M. Smaill | |
| Wakefield Trinity | 78–6 | Hunslet ARLFC | 25 February, 14:00 | Belle Vue | M. Lynn | 2,775 |
| Keighley Cougars | 14–58 | Featherstone Rovers | 25 February, 15:00 | Cougar Park | S. Mikalauskas | 1,477 |
| York Knights | 16–32 | Sheffield Eagles | 25 February, 15:00 | York Community Stadium | L. Rush | |
| Swinton Lions | 28–12 | Oldham | 25 February, 18:00 | Heywood Road | C. Worsley | 746 |
| Source:[10] | ||||||
Fifth round
[edit]The fifth round draw was conducted on BBC Radio Leeds on 25 February.[11]
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Swinton Lions | 12–14 | Sheffield Eagles | 9 March, 12:30 | Heywood Road | M. Griffiths | 412 |
| Widnes Vikings | 14–18 | Batley Bulldogs | 9 March, 18:00 | DCBL Stadium | L. Rush | 1,067 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 14–10[b] | Wakefield Trinity | 10 March, 15:00 | Post Office Road | B. Thaler | |
| Halifax Panthers | 62–6 | York Acorn | 10 March, 15:00 | The Shay | K. Moore | 785 |
| Source:[12] | ||||||
Sixth round
[edit]The sixth round draw was made on 11 March on BBC Sportsday. The draw was conducted by Iestyn Harris.[13] The ties were played over the weekend of 22–24 March.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Hull KR | 40–0 | Salford Red Devils | 22 March, 20:00 | Craven Park, Hull | L. Moore | |
| Leeds Rhinos | 6–20 | St Helens | 22 March, 20:00 | Headingley Stadium | C. Kendall | 7,108 |
| Wigan Warriors | 44–18 | Sheffield Eagles | 22 March, 20:00 | DW Stadium | J. Vella | 5,733 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 50–6 | Hull FC | 23 March, 14:00 | John Smiths Stadium | A. Moore | 1,673 |
| Leigh Leopards | 26–14 | Featherstone Rovers | 23 March, 14:00 | Leigh Sports Village | J. Smith | 4,287 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 14–28 | Castleford Tigers | 23 March, 15:00 | Mount Pleasant | M. Griffiths | |
| Warrington Wolves | 42–0 | London Broncos | 23 March, 17:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | T. Grant | 3,416 |
| Halifax Panthers | 4–40 | Catalans Dragons | 24 March, 15:00 | The Shay | L. Rush | 1,811 |
| Source:[14] | ||||||
Quarter-finals
[edit]The draw for the quarter-finals was made on 25 March.[15] The ties will be played 12–14 April.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Hull KR | 26–14 | Leigh Leopards | 13 April, 17:00 | Sewell Group Craven Park | C. Kendall | |
| Catalans Dragons | 6–34 | Huddersfield Giants | 13 April, 19:00 | Stade Gilbert Brutus | A. Moore | 5,892 |
| Castleford Tigers | 6–60 | Wigan Warriors | 14 April, 15:00 | Mend-A-Hose a Jungle | L. Moore | 4,097 |
| St Helens | 8–31 | Warrington Wolves | 14 April, 16:30 | Totally Wicked Stadium | J. Smith | 11,280 |
| Source: | ||||||
Semi-finals
[edit]The draw for the semi-finals was made on 14 April, during half time in the match between St Helens and Warrington. The ties were played on 18 and 19 May as part of a double header, alongside the women's semi finals.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Hull KR | 6–38 | Wigan Warriors | 18 May, 13:45 | Eco-Power Stadium | C. Kendall | 11,163 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 10–46 | Warrington Wolves | 19 May, 15:15 | Totally Wicked Stadium | L. Moore | 9,253 |
| Source: | ||||||
Final
[edit]The tie was played on 8 June as part of a triple header, alongside the women's final, and the 1895 Cup final. Following the death of Rob Burrow on 2 June, the RFL announced that kick-off for the final would be put back from 3pm to 3:07pm to honour Rob and the number seven shirt he wore. Rob's death was also commemorated with a minute's silence before kick-off and with a minute's applause during the seventh minute of the game.[16]
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
 Wigan Warriors
|
18–8 |  Warrington Wolves
|
8 June, 15:07 | Wembley Stadium | Chris Kendall | 64,845 |
| Source:[17] | ||||||
Broadcast matches
[edit]| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Royal Navy v Royal Air Force | 13 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[18] |
| Fryston Warriors v British Army | Streamed live on BFBS Sport[19] | ||
| Orrell St James v Haresfinch | 14 January | Streamed live on The Sportsman[20] | |
| 2nd | Leigh Miners Rangers v Stanningley | 27 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[21] |
| Orrell St James v York Acorn | 28 January | Streamed live on The Sportsman[21] | |
| 3rd | Barrow Raiders v Oldham | 10 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[22] |
| Dewsbury Rams v York Knights | 11 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman[22] | |
| 4th | Bradford Bulls v Widnes Vikings | 24 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[23] |
| Swinton Lions v Oldham | 25 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman[23] | |
| 5th | Swinton Lions v Sheffield Eagles | 9 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[24] |
| Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity | 10 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman[24] | |
| 6th | Leeds Rhinos v St Helens | 22 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[25] |
| Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers | 23 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman[26] | |
| QF | Hull KR v Leigh Leopards | 13 April | Broadcast live on BBC Two[27] |
| St Helens v Warrington Wolves | 14 April | ||
| SF | Hull KR v Wigan Warriors | 18 May | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves | 19 May | Broadcast live on BBC Two | |
| Final | Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves | 8 June | Broadcast live on BBC One |
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Attendances not recorded for matches involving amateur clubs
- ^ after golden point extra time
References
[edit]- ^ McAllister, Josh (5 December 2023). "Leigh Leopard Josh Charnley to conduct Round 1 & 2 Betfred Challenge Cup Draws". Rugbyleague.com.
- ^ "Wigan Warriors player ratings in Challenge Cup final as Bevan French scoops Lance Todd Trophy". Love Rugby League. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Lance Todd Trophy voting as Bevan French dominates media polling". Love Rugby League. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Lachlan Lam kicks golden point drop goal to give Leigh first Wembley win in 52 years". BBC Sport. 28 May 2022.
- ^ "Robins avenge 2023 final defeat to reach the semi finals". BBC Sport. 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Leigh Leopards ace Josh Charnley makes Challenge Cup draws for Rounds One and Two". Love Rugby League. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Challenge Cup - Round One". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3413. 15 January 2024. p. 19.
- ^ "Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3415. 29 January 2024. p. 25.
- ^ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3417. 12 February 2024. p. 31.
- ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Four". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3419. 26 February 2024. p. 31.
- ^ "Challenge Cup Fifth Round draw: Eight teams bidding to join Super League clubs in Round 6". Love Rugby League. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Five". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3421. 11 March 2024. p. 31.
- ^ "Challenge Cup Sixth Round draw made, as all 12 super league clubs enter competition". loverugbyleague. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Six". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3423. 25 March 2024. p. 35.
- ^ "Challenge Cup quarter-final draw pits Leigh Leopards versus Hull KR in Wembley rematch". Love Rugby League. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ Bower, Aaron (5 June 2024). "Challenge Cup final kick-off time moved to honour Rob Burrow at Wembley". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ "Challenge Cup final: Wigan beat Warrington at Wembley again". BBC Sport. 8 June 2024.
- ^ "BBC make broadcast pick for First Round of 2024 Challenge Cup". LoveRugbyLeague. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Watch again: British Army v Fryston Warriors in the Challenge Cup first round". Forces Network. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Challenge Cup First Round: Results & Round-up as road to Wembley begins for community & Armed Forces teams". LoveRugbyLeague. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Broadcast picks made for Challenge Cup Second Round as four community teams prepare for roses battles". LoveRugbyLeague. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Broadcast picks made for Challenge Cup Third Round with three Championship clubs to be shown live". LoveRugbyLeague. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Broadcast picks made for Challenge Cup Fourth Round with details of all eight ties locked in". Love Rugby League. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Broadcast coverage confirmed for Challenge Cup fifth round, including mouth-watering derby". LoveRugbyLeague. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Date and time for Saints' Challenge Cup tie at Leeds Rhinos". St Helens Star. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Challenge Cup sixth round draw details: Broadcast coverage, dates and kick-off times". Love Rugby League. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Challenge Cup quarter-final broadcast picks made with schedule confirmed including semi-final draw details". Love Rugby League. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.