Rugby League News: Challenge Cup First and Second Round Draw Details Confirmed
The Rugby Football League (RFL) has confirmed the details for the 2025 Challenge Cup first and second round draws, including the teams involved. The draws will take place on the evening of Monday, December 2, hosted by the newly-promoted League 1 outfit, Goole Vikings.
Beginning in 2025, the Challenge Cup will adopt a new format, with Super League clubs entering the competition in Round 3, scheduled for February. This means they will need to win four matches to reach the final.
First Round Draw
The first round will feature 34 community clubs across 17 ties, to be played on the weekend of January 11-12. Notable debutants include the Eastern Rhinos (Southern Conference League), Mirfield (Pennine League), and Telford Raiders (Midlands Rugby League).
The first round draw lineup is as follows, with the clubs’ respective divisions bolded:
- Armed Forces (3) – British Army, RAF, Royal Navy
- Cumberland Amateur Rugby League (1) – Maryport
- GB Police (1) – GB Police
- Ireland Rugby League (1) – Longhorns
- Midlands Rugby League (1) – Telford Raiders (Harry Jepson Trophy winners)
- National Conference League (15) – Crosfields, Dewsbury Moor, Hunslet ARLFC, and more
- North West Men’s League (3) – Blackbrook, Haresfinch, Orrell St James
- Pennine League (1) – Mirfield
- Scotland Rugby League (1) – Edinburgh Eagles
- Southern Conference League (4) – Eastern Rhinos, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, and more
- Wales Rugby League (1) – Aberavon Fighting Irish
- Yorkshire Men’s League (2) – Doncaster Toll Bar, Stanley Rangers
Second Round Draw
The winners of the first round ties will advance to the second round, which will see the entry of Championship and League 1 teams (excluding Toulouse Olympique). The second round draw will also take place on December 2, with the ties scheduled for January 25-26, except for the one involving York, who have committed to a challenge match against Hull KR in Amsterdam that weekend.
The 23 teams entering the cup in round two are:
- Championship (12) – Barrow Raiders, Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls, and more
- League 1 (11) – Cornwall, Dewsbury Rams, Goole Vikings, and more
“The new format for the Challenge Cup promises an exciting and competitive tournament in 2025, with clubs from across the rugby league pyramid vying for the prestigious trophy,” said RFL Chief Executive, Ralph Rimmer.
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