The Challenge Cup moves up a gear with the 2026 Third Round draw confirmed — and the 13 Super League clubs officially stepping into the competition.
After a dramatic and weather-disrupted weekend of Round 1, the pathway to the Final at Wembley on Saturday May 30 becomes clearer, with community, League One, Championship and Super League sides now colliding.
Third Round Draw – Full Fixtures
Winners from remaining Round 1 and Round 2 ties will advance into the following match-ups:
- Rochdale Mayfield / Ince Rose Bridge OR Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity
- Thatto Heath OR Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos
- Wigan St Judes / Leigh Miners OR Barrow Raiders vs York Knights
- Batley Bulldogs OR Hunslet ARLFC vs Catalans Dragons
- North Wales Crusaders OR Bedford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards
- Castleford Lock Lane OR Brighouse vs Hull KR
- Blackbrook OR Workington Town vs St Helens
- Siddal / Waterhead OR Rochdale vs Wigan Warriors
- London Broncos OR Wests Warriors vs Bradford Bulls
- Sheffield Eagles OR Whitehaven vs Warrington Wolves
- Hammersmith Hills Hoists OR Salford RLFC vs Hull FC
- Stanningley / Dewsbury Moor OR Hunslet vs Huddersfield Giants
- Doncaster OR Newcastle Thunder vs Castleford Tigers
- Halifax OR Telford Raiders / London Chargers vs Woodhouse Warriors / Mirfield OR Goole Vikings
- Oldham OR Orrell St James vs Dewsbury Rams OR King Cross Park / West Hull
- Heworth / RAF OR Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes / Aberavon Fighting Irish
Several name-heavy match-ups will hinge on postponed replays being completed next weekend — with amateurs, forces teams and League One clubs still fighting to reach the Super League stage.
Betfred Challenge Cup – Key 2026 Dates
- Second Round – Jan 24–25
- Third Round (Super League enters) – Feb 6–8
- Fourth Round (Last 16) – March 14–15
- Quarter Finals – April 11–12
- Semi Finals – May 9–10
- Final (Wembley) – Saturday May 30
Round 1 Results Recap
Catch up on all the scores, upsets and remaining fixtures from opening weekend via Rugby League Zone:
👉 Full first-round results: https://rugbyleaguezone.com/challenge-cup-2026-results-424225/
Highlights included:
- Blackbrook scoring a blistering 52–6 win over GB Police
- Hunslet ARLFC, Thatto Heath and Bedford Tigers cruising through
- Orrell St James smashing Oldham St Annes 34–0
- Multiple ties postponed to Jan 17 after frozen pitches
