The Challenge Cup Semi-Final Venues Confirmed with Championship Ground Hosting a Double-Header
As the rugby league season heats up, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has announced the neutral venues for the highly anticipated Challenge Cup Semi-Finals. Surprisingly, a Championship ground has been selected to host one of the double-header events.
The Men’s and Women’s semi-finals will take place over the same weekend, with two double-headers scheduled for Saturday, May 18th, and Sunday, May 19th. The draw was made this past weekend, and it has set up some intriguing matchups.
In the Men’s competition, Hull KR will face off against Wigan Warriors in a repeat of last year’s epic semi-final, which will be held at Headingley. Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves were drawn against Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants, with their clash set to take place at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.
As for the Women’s competition, the semi-finals will see a repeat of last year’s fixtures. St Helens will take on York Valkyrie, while Leeds Rhinos will square off against Wigan Warriors. All four teams cruised into the semi-finals, with the majority scoring 70 points or more.
The RFL has confirmed that Championship side Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium, formerly known as the Keepmoat, will host the clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors, along with the women’s semi-final between St Helens and York Valkyrie. The Warrington Wolves versus Huddersfield Giants men’s semi-final will be played at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium, where the Wigan Warriors women’s side will face Leeds Rhinos.
Both Women’s semi-finals will be shown live on BBC iPlayer, while the Men’s semi-finals will be broadcast live on BBC TV. Clubs will announce ticketing information directly to their supporters.
“The decision to use a Championship ground for one of the double-headers has raised some eyebrows, as fans may have expected Headingley to host the Hull KR and Wigan clash again, given its success as the venue for last season’s semi-final. However, the RFL explains that Headingley was unavailable due to Yorkshire’s cricket commitments.”
Regardless of the venue choices, these games are sure to be hotly-anticipated by fans of the participating clubs. The impressive viewing figures for this weekend’s quarter-finals, with a combined peak of just under 1,000,000 people tuning in, demonstrate the continued appetite for the Challenge Cup and rugby league on free-to-air TV.
🔗 Source
