Betfred Challenge Cup

The Betfred Challenge Cup is a knockout rugby league competition, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It is the main cup competition in the sport in the United Kingdom and is contested by clubs in the Super League and the Championship.

History

The competition has its roots in the Rugby Football League Championship, which was established in 1895. The first Challenge Cup competition was held in 1896, with Leeds team St. George's winning the first cup. The competition was initially contested by teams from the north of England, but it soon expanded to include teams from the south.

Format

The competition begins with a preliminary round, in which the lowest placed teams from the previous season's Super League and Championship compete against each other.
Teams that win in the preliminary round then compete in the main draw, which is a knockout competition.
The competition is typically played over the course of several months, with the final match being played at Wembley Stadium in London.

Past Winners

Here is a list of some of the past winners of the Challenge Cup:

1896: St. George's
1897: Leeds
1898: Broughton Rangers
1900: Batley
1901: Batley
2007: St. Helens
2012: Leeds Rhinos
2016: Hull FC

“The Betfred Challenge Cup is one of the greatest competitions in the sport.” - Rugby Football League Chairman, Simon Morton

Author's summary: The Betfred Challenge Cup is a prestigious rugby league competition that has been running for over 125 years. With a rich history and a thrilling format, the competition is a must-watch for fans of the sport.

The Home of Rugby League — 2025-11-24