New Structure for 2025 Challenge Cup The Betfred Challenge Cup will have a new structure in 2025, with the 12 Super League clubs joining the Road to Wembley at the Third Round stage. The Third Round draw will be held in January, well before the start of the Super League season, with the aim of building more momentum towards the showpiece Finals Day in June. It means that clubs from the Betfred Championship, League One and even the community game will have more chance to secure a glamour tie at home to Super League opposition, as the Third Round draw will be seeded to guarantee each of the Super League clubs travel away to one of the 20 Second Round winners. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

New Structure for 2025 Challenge Cup The Betfred Challenge Cup will have a new structure in 2025, with the 12 Super League clubs joining the Road to Wembley at the Third Round stage. The Third Round draw will be held in January, well before the start of the Super League season, with the aim of building more momentum towards the showpiece Finals Day in June. It means that clubs from the Betfred Championship, League One and even the community game will have more chance to secure a glamour tie at home to Super League opposition, as the Third Round draw will be seeded to guarantee each of the Super League clubs travel away to one of the 20 Second Round winners. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Well blow me down!!

Challenge Cup : Mon May 20, 2024 7:17 pm
"A lot of concern about attendances and general loss of interest in the CC. I think there's a few factors at play here but for me it needs to be made more "democratic". I'd have preliminary rounds involving amateur/community clubs and Leage 1 sides to get down to just 6 of those sides for the 1st round proper involving SL, Championship and those 6 teams - 32 in all. In addition, from this round to the quarter finals, I'd adopt the 1895 Cup format of the lower placed team having a home tie. Quarters, first team out of the hat is at home. Semis at neutral venue. Final at Wembley??? Open to debate.
I know there'd be some drubbings, there always are whatever format is used, but it would make it far more interesting and engaging for all fans and put some money in lower league coffers. Imagine Wigan away to York, Saints at Cornwall or Leeds at Alexander Stadium v Hurricanes. Even better (this season) Hull or Cas away to Trinity!!"

A long overdue change, still heavily stacked in SL clubs favour. But at least it'll hopefully give smaller clubs a good payday. It'll also give supporters very much like us going to grounds that we've not been to in years in good numbers.

Been saying for years that it should be more like the FA Cup where you get a (slim) chance of a big shock.

A step in the right direction.