2014 Challenge Cup final

The 2014 Challenge Cup final would be Castleford Tigers's first cup final of the Super League era, having last featured as runners-up to Wigan Warriors in the 1992 Challenge Cup final. By contrast, their opponents, Leeds Rhinos, have featured in nine Challenge Cup finals during that period since 1992 but only winning one of them: the 1999 Challenge Cup final, the last at the original Wembley Stadium.^[3][4]

As a 2013 Super League team, Castleford Tigers entered in at the fourth round. They drew Championship side Batley Bulldogs beating them by 48 points to 10. The fifth round saw the Tigers face Championship opposition again, in the form of Sheffield Eagles, who they comfortably beat 60 points to 16. The quarter finals saw them beat eventual Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors 16 points to 4, before a semi-final victory over Widnes Vikings put them in the final.

Round	Opposition	Score
4th	Batley Bulldogs (A)	48–10
5th	Sheffield Eagles (H)	60–16
QF	Wigan Warriors (A)	16–4
SF	Widnes Vikings (N)	26–6

As a 2013 Super League team, Leeds Rhinos also entered in at the fourth round. A fourth round thrashing of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 60 points to 6 placed them in the fifth round where a comfortable victory over eventual Super League champions St Helens, winning by 20 points. The Rhinos faced Championship side Leigh Centurions, beating them 25 points to 12, before beating Warrington Wolves in the semis who'd eventually finish one place above them in the league.

Round	Opposition	Score
4th	Wakefield Trinity (A)	60–6
5th	St Helens (H)	32–12
QF	Leigh Centurions (H)	25–12
SF	Warrington Wolves (N)	24–16

Leeds Rhinos won their first Challenge Cup in 15 years, having last won in 1999 and having achieved six runners-up places in that time frame. This marked their twelfth victory in the competition.