Challenge Cup: when Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity & others will learn round 3 opponents
Super League clubs are set to learn their potential first opponents of the new season next week.
The draw for the opening round of the men’s Betfred Challenge Cup will take place on Monday at Wakefield Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vue, as part of the 2026 Championship launch. For the second successive year, all competing top-flight sides will face a trip to lower division or community opposition on the weekend of February 7-8 - a week before their opening Super League match.
Last year, Leeds Rhinos beat amateurs Wests Warriors 92-0 and Wakefield Trinity thrashed Goole Vikings, then of League One, 82-0, both in ties switched to the Super League club’s home ground. Castleford Tigers were beaten 18-16 at then-Championship side Bradford Bulls.
The first and second rounds were drawn together in November, with the opening stage due to be played this weekend and round two a fortnight later. Thirty four clubs from the community game kick off the competition and the winners will be joined by 21 Betfred Championship teams in the next phase.
Though the freezing weather is likely to have an impact, three Leeds sides are due to be in first round action on Saturday, all at home to National Conference opposition. Hunslet ARLFC take on Premier Division rivals York Acorn, with the winners having been drawn away to Batley Bulldogs, of the Championship.
Stanningley face Dewsbury Moor in an all Division One clash. The victors will secure a home derby against another Championship outfit, Hunslet RLFC. Buslingthorpe Vale-based Woodhouse Warriors, of the Pennine League, take on visitors Mirfield Spartans who are reigning Yorkshire Men’s League Premier Division champions and will play in the new Conference Yorkshire A Division this year. The winners have been drawn at home to Goole Vikings, from the Championship. All three ties are scheduled to kick-off at 1.30pm.