Challenge Cup

The Rugby Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Challenge Cup, is a knockout rugby league cup competition organised by the Rugby Football League, held annually since 1896, it is the world's oldest cup competition in either code of rugby. A concurrent Women's Challenge Cup and Wheelchair Challenge Cup have been held since 2012 and 2015 respectively. The competition is open to all eligible clubs down to Tier 5. Some amateur clubs have to qualify to enter in Round One while others can apply through the RFL to enter. The final is traditionally played at Wembley Stadium. Despite having been played at other venues, Wembley is generally seen as the home of the competition. "Abide with Me", sung before the game, has become a rugby league anthem. The current holders of the Challenge Cup are Wigan Warriors, winning the competition for the 22nd time, beating Hull Kingston Rovers 40-10 in the 2026 Final on the 30th May 2026 at Wembley Stadium. Wigan are the most successful club in the history of the competition, winning the Cup a record 22 times.