Key Highlights
- The 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup first and second round draws will take place on November 24.
- The first round draw includes 34 clubs from the community game, with 17 matches set for January 10-11.
- The second round draw involves 19 ties between first-round winners and Betfred Championship clubs on January 24-25.
- Regionalisation has been introduced to increase local rivalry and reduce travelling costs.
Countdown Begins for 2026 Rugby League Season
The anticipation is building as the countdown to the 2026 rugby league season begins next Monday, November 24. This marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s calendar with the upcoming draws for the first two rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
First Round Draw Details
The first round draw will feature 34 teams from various communities across Wales, Northern Ireland, and regions within England. Teams such as Aberavon Fighting Irish from Wales, Broncos from County Down in Northern Ireland, and Medway Dragons from London ARL are among the new additions this year.
Notable returnees include the British Army, RAF, Royal Navy, Great Britain Police, Telford Raiders, and other established teams. The draw will be conducted at Rugby League Headquarters in Manchester, with Ross Fiddes hosting the event.
Second Round Draw and Regionalization
The second round draw will combine 17 first-round winners with 21 Betfred Championship clubs to produce a total of 19 ties. The draws are expected to be regionalised as much as possible, ensuring that local rivalries remain strong while reducing travel costs for participating teams.
For the North West region, the draw includes teams like GB Police and Seaton Rangers, while Yorkshire sees Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams competing. The National region features London Broncos and Midlands Hurricanes as key contenders.
Date Highlights
The full details of the first round draw will be released at 4pm on Monday, November 24. Matches for the community teams are scheduled to take place from January 10-11, followed by the Championship clubs entering on January 24-25.
The third round is set for February 7-8, with the Super League clubs making their entrance in the fourth round on March 14-15. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are expected to take place on April 11-12 and May 10/11, respectively, leading up to the final on Saturday, May 30.
The format of the remainder of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup will remain consistent with the previous year’s structure, following a positive impact from the new third round.
This round saw the Super League clubs being seeded and guaranteed an away tie against community and Championship clubs who won their second-round matches.
The upcoming draws are crucial for teams looking to secure their place in the competition and make significant strides towards securing a title. With regionalisation playing a key role, the focus will be on local rivalries and strategic planning as teams prepare for what is expected to be an exciting season.
