2023 Challenge Cup
Duration9 rounds
Number of teams71
Highest attendance58,213
(Final ) – Hull KR v Leigh Leopards (12 August 2023)
Lowest attendance255
North Wales Crusaders v Royal Navy (25 February 2023)
Aggregate attendance146,201
Broadcast partners
WinnersLeigh Leopards
Runners-upHull KR
Lance Todd Trophy Lachlan Lam

The 2023 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 122nd 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 11–12 February 2023 and ended with the final, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 August.[1][2]

The defending champions were Wigan Warriors, who won the 2022 Challenge Cup Final, by narrowly defeating Huddersfield Giants 16–14, but they were eliminated in the semi finals, as Brad Schneider kicked a drop goal in extra time, to win the game for Hull KR 11–10.[3]

Background

The competition started on 11 February and concluded with the final on 12 August. The final returned to its traditional home, Wembley Stadium in London, after being played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022. League One team Cornwall R.L.F.C. made their first appearance in the competition having declined to enter in their debut season.[1]

All professional RFL member clubs were invited to participate as well as a number of invited amateur teams including teams representing the British armed forces. This year the entry of the amateur clubs was split; in round 1, the armed forces teams entered along with the Scottish, Irish and Welsh champions with English teams from outside the National Conference League Premier Division making up the 36 teams to compete in the round. Ten teams from the National Conference League Premier Division joined in round 2, together with the 10 teams from League One.[1] Shortly after the format for the tournament was announced, West Wales Raiders withdrew from the competition. The RFL announced that rounds one and two would be altered slightly to cope with this by increasing the number of teams in round one to 36 and reducing the numbers of new clubs in round two from 21 to 20.[4]

The Championship clubs with the exception of Toulouse Olympique who declined to enter, joined the tournament in round 3. Rounds 4 and 5 reduced the lower league clubs to four before the Super League clubs entered in round 6.

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 11–12 February36None3636 UK based community league teams
Round 2 25–26 February38182010 teams from National Conference League Premier Division and 10 League One
Round 3 9–12 March321913All teams from the Championship except Toulouse Olympique
Round 4 30 March – 2 April1616None
Round 5 20–23 April88None
Round 6 18–21 May16412All 12 teams from the Super League
Quarter-finals 15–18 June88None
Semi-finals 22 July44
Final 12 August22

First round

The draw for the first and second rounds were made at Wembley Stadium on 12 January 2023. Ties were played over the weekend of 11 and 12 February 2023.

Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
West Bowling 30–12 Waterhead 11 February; 11:00 Horsfall Stadium O. Salmon Not given[lower-alpha 1]
Edinburgh Eagles 20–30 Saddleworth Rangers 11 February, 13:15 Royal High School, Edinburgh S. Fraser
Brentwood Eels 34–24 Bedford Tigers 11 February, 13:30 Ashwells Road, Brentwood M. Rossleigh
Royal Navy 28–16 Barrow Island 11 February, 13:30 The Victory Stadium, Portsmouth J. Jones
Skirlaugh 16–26 Wests Warriors 11 February, 13:30 Slaithes Lane, Hedon J. Ruckledge
Westgate Common 36–18 Crosfields 11 February, 13:30 Park Grove Road, Wakefield D. Arnold
British Army 12–28 Ashton Bears 11 February; 14:00 Aldershot Military Stadium W. Gilder
Distington 4–16 Orrell St James 11 February; 14:00 West View Road, Distington J. Hughes
Doncaster Toll Bar 24–36 Royal Air Force 11 February; 14:00 Prospect Road, Doncaster M. McKelvey
Featherstone Lions 6–20 Great Britain Police 11 February; 14:00 Wakefield Road, Featherstone S. Jenkinson
Fryston Warriors 38–22 Thornhill Trojans 11 February; 14:00 Askham Road, Ferry Fryston C. Hughes
Hull Dockers 54–10 Rhondda Outlaws 11 February; 14:00 The Willows, Hull D. Frederick
Stanningley 38–4 Milford 11 February; 14:00 The Arthur Miller Stadium, Leeds A. Williams
London Chargers 32–12 North Herts Crusaders 11 February; 14:30 Kings House School, Chiswick M. Cowan
Wigan St Pats 22–30 Ince Rose Bridge 11 February; 14:30 Harper St, Wigan F. Lincoln
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 8–42 Dublin City Exiles 11 February; 17:00 Chiswick Rugby Club, Chiswick H. Winnard
Heworth 22–6 Oulton Raiders 12 February, 12:00 Elmpark Way, Heworth J. Covell-Wood
Jarrow Vikings 26–40 Myton Warriors 12 February, 13:30 Monkton Stadium, Jarrow T. Gibbs
Source:[5]
  1. ↑ Attendances not recorded for matches involving amateur clubs

Second round

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Cornwall 14–20 Rochdale Mayfield 25 February; 13:00 The Memorial Ground, Penryn M. Rossleigh 1,061
Brentwood Eels 4–58 Wath Brow Hornets 25 February; 13:30 Ashwells Road, Brentwood W. Gilder Not given
Lock Lane 22–30 West Bowling 25 February; 13:30 Lock Lane, Castleford A. Rhodes
Fryston Warriors 12–28 Stanningley 25 February; 13:30 Askham Road, Ferry Fryston A. Belafonte
Saddleworth Rangers 4–18 Thatto Heath Crusaders 25 February; 13:30 Shaw Hall Bank Road J. Hughes
Ashton Bears 8–38 Dewsbury Rams 25 February; 14:00 Crown Flatt[lower-alpha 1] E. Burrow
Myton Warriors 22–34 Leigh Miners Rangers 25 February; 14:00 Marist Sporting Club, Hull M. Clayton
North Wales Crusaders 70–0 Royal Navy 25 February; 14:00 Eirias Stadium J. Lincoln 255
RAF 10–12 York Acorn 25 February; 14:00 RAF Cranwell S. Jenkinson Not given
Wests Warriors 18–14 London Chargers 25 February; 14:00 Twyford Avenue, London H. Winnard
Hunslet ARLFC 66–0 Pilkington Recs 25 February; 14:30 The Oval, Leeds C. Hughes
Siddal 14–8 West Hull 25 February; 14:30 Exley Lane, Halifax R. Cox
Orrell St James 68–14 Dublin City Exiles 25 February; 15:00 Bankes Avenue, Orrell S. Houghton
Rochdale Hornets 42–4 London Skolars 26 February; 13:00 Spotland Stadium M. Lynn 300
GB Police 18–22 Westgate Common 26 February; 13:00 Scholes Lane, St. Helens T. Jones Not given
Workington Town 68–6 Ince Rose Bridge 26 February; 14:00 Derwent Park B. Milligan 603
Hull Dockers 4–50 Midlands Hurricanes 26 February; 14:45 Craven Park, Hull A. Sweet Not given
Doncaster 28–26 Oldham 26 February; 15:00 Keepmoat Stadium K. Moore 517
Hunslet 68–6 Heworth 26 February; 15:00 South Leeds Stadium L. Bland 556
Source:[7]
  1. ↑ Although drawn at home Ashton Bears agreed to the match being played at Dewsbury.[6]

Third round

The third round draw was made on 27 February.[8]

Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Westgate Common 12–15 Hunslet A.R.L.F.C 11 March, 13:30 Park Grove Road E. Burrow Not given
Leigh Miners Rangers 10–38 Rochdale Mayfield 11 March, 14:00 Twist Lane M. Smaill
Orrell St James 12–19 Midlands Hurricanes 11 March, 14:00 Bankes Avenue, Orrell M. Lynn
London Broncos 32–10 Whitehaven 11 March, 15:00 Plough Lane L. Rush
Wests Warriors 4–80 Widnes Vikings 11 March, 15:00 DCBL Stadium[lower-alpha 1] R. Cox
Thatto Heath Crusaders 10–18 North Wales Crusaders 12 March, 12:30 Close Street S. Mikalauskas
Stanningley 16–58 Newcastle Thunder 12 March, 13:00[lower-alpha 2] The Arthur Miller Stadium L. Bland
Batley Bulldogs 60–0 Wath Brow Hornets 12 March, 14:00 Mount Pleasant B. Milligan
Dewsbury Rams 38–18 Rochdale Hornets 12 March, 14:00 Crown Flatt C. Worsley 445
Siddal 12–34 Sheffield Eagles 12 March, 14:30[lower-alpha 3] Exley Lane, Halifax K. Moore not given
Barrow Raiders 32–14 Swinton Lions 12 March, 15:00 Craven Park J. Vella 1,161
Bradford Bulls 62–6 York Acorn 12 March, 15:00 Odsal Stadium A. Belafonte 1,143
Doncaster 24–20 Workington Town 12 March, 15:00 Eco-Power Stadium N. Bennett 485
Featherstone Rovers 18–22 Halifax Panthers 12 March, 15:00 Post Office Road L. Moore 1,487
Hunslet 14–16 Keighley Cougars 12 March, 15:00 South Leeds Stadium M. Rossleigh 519
York Knights 52–12 West Bowling 12 March, 15:00 York Community Stadium A. Sweet 1,040
Source:
  1. ↑ Wests Warriors ceded home advantage and agreed to play at Widnes.[9]
  2. ↑ Originally scheduled for 11 March but postponed due to a frozen pitch.[10]
  3. ↑ Originally scheduled for 11 March but postponed on 10 March due to adverse weather conditions.[11]

Fourth round

The draw for the fourth and fifth rounds was made on Wednesday 15 March at Millom RLFC, the oldest amateur club.[12] No new teams enter in these rounds so the fourth round comprises just eight matches.

Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Rochdale Mayfield 12–22 Newcastle Thunder 1 April, 13:00 Mayfield Sports Centre N. Bennett
Keighley Cougars 36–14 North Wales Crusaders 1 April, 15:00 Cougar Park M. Smaill 862
London Broncos 66–16 Doncaster 1 April, 15:00 Priory Lane S. Mikalauskas
York Knights 24–22 Sheffield Eagles 2 April, 12:30 York Community Stadium J. Vella 832
Hunslet ARLFC 6–80 Batley Bulldogs 2 April, 14:00 Mount Pleasant[lower-alpha 1] B. Milligan 579
Dewsbury Rams 32–12 Widnes Vikings 2 April, 15:00 Crown Flatt L. Rush
Halifax Panthers 24–18 Barrow Raiders 2 April 15:00 The Shay T. Grant 1,474
Midlands Hurricanes 18–66 Bradford Bulls 2 April, 15:00 Odsal Stadium[lower-alpha 2] C. Worsley 1,003
Source:[15]
  1. ↑ Fixture moved to Batley after Hunslet's ground deemed unsuitable for a game against a professional team.[13]
  2. ↑ Midlands requested that the match be played at Bradford's Odsal Stadium.[14]

Fifth round

Drawn immediately after the fourth round draw, the four fixtures determined which teams from below Super League would progress to the draw with the 12 Super League teams.

Challenge Cup round 5 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
York Knights 22–18 Newcastle Thunder 21 April, 19:30 York Community Stadium N. Bennett
Halifax Panthers 26–0 Bradford Bulls 22 April, 19:00 The Shay T. Grant 2,146
Batley Bulldogs 34–16 Keighley Cougars 23 April, 15:00 Mount Pleasant J. Vella
London Broncos 36–16 Dewsbury Rams 23 April, 15:05 Priory Lane L. Rush 353
Source:[16]

Sixth round

The draw for the sixth round took place live on BBC News' Sportsday on 24 April. The draw was made by England women's captain Jodie Cunningham.

Ties were played over the weekend of 19-21 May.

Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Halifax Panthers 6–26 St Helens 19 May, 19:45 The Shay A. Moore 4,693
Wakefield Trinity 12–40 Leigh Leopards 19 May, 19:45 The Be Well Support Stadium B. Thaler 1,568
Hull KR 50–0 Batley Bulldogs 19 May, 20:00 Sewell Group Craven Park T. Grant 5,200
Leeds Rhinos 14–18 Wigan Warriors 20 May, 14:30 Headingley C. Kendall 7,103
Catalans Dragons 14–16 Warrington Wolves 20 May, 17:00 Stade Gilbert Brutus J. Smith 5,014
Salford Red Devils 42–40 Huddersfield Giants 20 May, 19:30 AJ Bell Stadium M. Griffiths 2,872
Castleford Tigers 8–32 Hull FC 21 May, 15:00 Mend-A-Hose Jungle L. Moore 4,249
York Knights 36–12 London Broncos 21 May, 15:00 York Community Stadium J. Vella
Source:[17]

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made live on BBC Two after the conclusion of the sixth-round tie between Castleford and Hull FC. The draw was made by John Kear. Ties were played over the weekend of 17–18 June.

Challenge Cup quarter-final fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Hull KR 28–10 Salford Red Devils 17 June, 12:00 Craven Park B. Thaler
Hull FC 18–32 St Helens 17 June, 14:30 MKM Stadium C. Kendall 8,127
Wigan Warriors 14–12 Warrington Wolves 18 June, 14:30 DW Stadium L. Moore 9,302
York Knights 14–34 Leigh Leopards 18 June, 17:00 York Community Stadium J. Smith

    Semi-finals

    The draw for the semi-finals was conducted on 18 June, during half time in the Wigan v Warrington match. The draw was made by Lois Forsell, head coach of Leeds Rhinos.[18]

    Ties took place over the weekend of 22–23 July, each being a double header with one of the semi-finals of the women's competition.

    Challenge Cup semi-final fixtures
    Team 1 Score Team 2 Match Information
    Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
    Leigh Leopards 12–10 St Helens 22 July, 14:30 Halliwell Jones Stadium C. Kendall 12,113
    Hull KR 11–10[lower-alpha 1] Wigan Warriors 23 July, 17:00 Headingley L. Moore 10,926

    Final

    Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards in the 2023 Challenge Cup final

    On 12 August 2022, the RFL announced that the Challenge Cup Final would return to Wembley after its one year hiatus, and be played as a triple header, alongside the women's final, and the 1895 Cup final. The final was played on 12 August 2023.[19]

    Challenge Cup Final
    Team 1 Score Team 2 Match Information
    Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
    Hull KR 16–17[lower-alpha 2] Leigh Leopards 12 August, 15:00 Wembley Stadium C. Kendall 58,213

    Broadcast matches

    Broadcast matches
    Round Match Date Broadcast method
    1st Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers 11 February Broadcast live on BBC Red Button
    Wigan St Pats v Ince Rose Bridge Streamed live on The Sportsman
    2nd Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield 25 February Broadcast live on BBC Red Button
    Hull Dockers v Midlands Hurricanes 26 February Streamed live on The Sportsman[20]
    3rd Thatto Heath Crusaders v North Wales Crusaders 12 March Broadcast live on BBC Red Button
    Featherstone Rovers v Halifax Panthers Streamed live on The Sportsman
    4th York Knights v Sheffield Eagles 2 April Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[21]
    Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings Streamed live on The Sportsman[22]
    5th Halifax Panthers v Bradford Bulls 22 April Broadcast live on BBC Red Button[23]
    Batley Bulldogs v Keighley Cougars 23 April Streamed live on The Sportsman[23]
    6th Halifax Panthers v St Helens 19 May Broadcast live on Viaplay[24]
    Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors 20 May Broadcast live on BBC One[25]
    Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants Broadcast live on Viaplay[24]
    Castleford Tigers v Hull F.C. 21 May Broadcast live on BBC Two[25]
    QF Hull KR v Salford Red Devils 17 June Broadcast live on Viaplay[26]
    Hull FC v St Helens Broadcast live on BBC One[27]
    Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves 18 June
    York Knights v Leigh Leopards Broadcast live on Viaplay[26]
    SF Leigh Leopards v St Helens 22 July Broadcast live on BBC One[28]
    Hull KR v Wigan Warriors 23 July Broadcast live on BBC Two[28]

    See also

    Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 3 McAllister, Josh (20 December 2022). "Wembley to host double draw to launch 2023 Challenge Cups". Love Rugby League.
    2. ↑ Walker, Callum (12 August 2022). "The time and venue for the 2023 Challenge Cup Final has been CONFIRMED". Rugby League News. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
    3. ↑ "Wigan edge Huddersfield to win Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 28 May 2022.
    4. ↑ "West Wales Raiders withdraw from RFL competitions". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
    5. ↑ "Challenge Cup Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3366. 13 February 2023. p. 27.
    6. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup Second Round ties confirmed". RFL. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
    7. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3368. 27 February 2023. p. 31.
    8. ↑ "Wests Warriors to face Widnes in Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
    9. ↑ "Wests Warriors players hoping to reap rewards after funding Widnes cup switch". The Independent. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
    10. ↑ "Another fixture postponed due to frozen pitch". Rugby League News. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
    11. ↑ "Siddal vs Sheffield postponed". Sheffield Eagles. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
    12. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup | World's oldest amateur Rugby League club to host Rounds 4 and 5 draws". www.rugby-league.com. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
    13. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four: Dates, venues and KO times confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
    14. ↑ "Hurricanes Cup clash to be played at Odsal Stadium". www.bradfordbulls.co.uk. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
    15. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Four". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3373. 3 April 2023. p. 36.
    16. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round Five". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3376. 24 April 2023. p. 35.
    17. ↑ "Betfred Challenge Cup: Round six". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3380. 22 May 2023. p. 35.
    18. ↑ Walker, Callum (15 June 2023). "Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw: When it will take place, ball numbers and where". TotalRL.com. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
    19. ↑ "Challenge Cup final to return to Wembley in 2023". BBC Sport. 12 August 2022.
    20. ↑ "Midlands Hurricanes at the double on Sportsman.com". www.rugby-league.com. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
    21. ↑ Pattison, Cam (17 March 2023). "Exciting Challenge Cup clash to be shown by BBC". Rugby League News. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
    22. ↑ Walker, Callum (23 March 2023). "TV coverage for Challenge Cup Fourth Round confirmed, when Super League sides come in and quarter-final, semi-final and final dates". TotalRL.com. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
    23. 1 2 "Challenge Cup fifth round coverage confirmed with two games broadcast". LoveRugbyLeague. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
    24. 1 2 "Viaplay Sports confirm coverage of two Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth Round ties". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
    25. 1 2 "BBC confirm televised picks for Challenge Cup sixth round". LoveRugbyLeague. 26 April 2023.
    26. 1 2 "Challenge Cup quarter-finals: Key dates, kick-off times & TV coverage". LoveRugbyLeague. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
    27. ↑ "Double BBC One coverage for Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Finals". www.rugby-league.com. RFL.
    28. 1 2 "Venues and broadcast details confirmed for Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
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