Thought it was at the request of the BBC who wanted a schedule for it that suited them and fitted around other things they show.

It was shifted from the traditional late April slot to late August because of the timing of the SL summer season which gave the impression that the Challenge Cup had become an insignificant pre-season tournament. It was hoped that the switch in schedule to accommodate Super League would prevent the further erosion of interest in the Challenge Cup but, if anything, it's got worse.

The Challenge Cup has slowly but surely been dying on it's @rse for one reason only - Super League is to blame.

Lift that carpet a little higher while I brush it all under, shush everyone.

Huddersfield Giants were not involved therefore its not an issue and nothing should be made of it.

However if a club as successful as Wigan over the last few years cannot get 6000 fans to a game a few miles away for the Semi Finals of the Challenge Cup, then I cannot for the life of me see how Huddersfield can possibly attract more than a couple of thousand fans to watch a team that hasn't won anything that people would recognise since the 60's.

Wigan and London would normally realistically attract 10000 at Wigan, not including add ons as Wigan automatically class season ticket holders as attended. Wigan v Saints semi final in 2011 didn't attract 12k. Wigan and Leeds last year attracted just over 12500. Today was an average attendance and looks bad due to Londons following. Very rich thread from a Huddersfield fan

Would have probably been better attended at Warrington or St. Helens. The journey from Wigan to Leigh and back is awful. No train service. The road between to two towns is awful and for some reason seems to constantly have roadworks on it.

Why's it rich, everyone can't wait to have a pop at the Giants, not nice when boots on other foot an all that? 6274 for a semi final is embarrassing end of.

well if the Giants SHOULD be getting 10,000 for every game because we're top of the league then Wigan SHOULD be getting twice that for the success they've had....why is it always acceptable for other teams fans not to go to a game but we get shot down for it for not having any to go ?

All you who have bagged our crowds this year should be tearing into Wigan fans over this, but obviously they will be defended and whatever excuses they use will be accepted as geniune reasons.

Here here Daz, it's the old do as I say not as I do syndrome, there's only 1 club that can be got at for having a poor attendance, all other clubs are exempt!!

Try getting there from Kent! Stupid excuse given Leigh is next door to Wigan.

It was a forgone conclusion, costing money that could be saved for a Wembley trip in a few weeks. The problem is with the pricing, timing and cup as a whole - not Wigan, who really can't be attacked for their fan base!

I don't blame the ones who stayed away tbh... even London didn't bother turning up.

It's eight bloody miles!

It'd be like Hull playing in Beverley.

St. Helens is the same distance but it wouldn't surpise me to see a bigger crowd if it were played there.