| Duration | 7 rounds |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 69 |
| Highest attendance | 63,278 Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR (7 June 2025) |
| Lowest attendance | 518 Sheffield Eagles vs West Bowling (26 January 2025) |
| Broadcast partners |
|
| Winners | Hull KR |
| Runners-up | Warrington Wolves |
| Biggest home win | West Hull 90–0 Edinburgh Eagles (18 January) |
| Biggest away win | Wests Warriors 0–92 Leeds Rhinos (8 February) |
The 2025 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 124th staging of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league, run by the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Following discussions in 2024, it was announced that the format was being revised and there would now only be seven rounds of competition, down from the nine rounds used in recent seasons. The changes saw the Championship and League One clubs entering in round 2 (round 3 in 2024), and the Super League clubs entering in round 3 (round 6 in 2024), with all 12 super league teams playing away in round 3.[1] The change followed criticism that the previous format favoured Super League clubs, and reducing the opportunities for smaller clubs to stage a tie against a big club.[2]
The competition started in January 2025, and concluded with the final on 7 June at Wembley Stadium.[3]
Toulouse Olympique declined to take part, as in previous years.[4]
| Round | Date | Clubs involved this round | Winners from previous round | New entries this round | Leagues entering at this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 11–12 January | 34 | None | 34 | 34 UK based community teams |
| Round 2 | 25–26 January | 40 | 17 | 23 | All teams (except Toulouse) from the Championship (12) and League One (11) |
| Round 3 | 8–9 February | 32 | 20 | 12 | All 12 teams from the Super League |
| Round 4 | 15–16 March | 16 | 16 | None | |
| Quarter-finals | 5–6 April | 8 | 8 | ||
| Semi-finals | 10–11 May | 4 | 4 | ||
| Final | 7 June | 2 | 2 | ||
The 34 clubs in the first round comprise:[5]
The draw for the first and second rounds of the competition were made on 2 December 2024.[6]
Wath Brow Hornets were originally drawn against West Bowling. On 6 January 2025 the Wath Brow club informed the RFL that they would concede the tie, citing "player safety" as the reason. The early rounds of the competition coincide with a period during which full contact training and playing is restricted for amateur teams that play during the summer by the RFL operational rules. Wath Brow considered that the risks to their players were too great to participate in the tie against West Bowling.[7] The RFL invited Cutsyke Raiders to replace Wath Brow. As Cutsyke play during the winter, the club is not affected by the no-contact period.[8]
A majority of the fixtures were postponed from the original weekend of 11/12 January due to bad weather but were rescheduled for the following weekend.[9]
| Super League[a] | Championship[b] | League One[b] | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12 / 12
|
12 / 12
|
11 / 11
|
34 / 34
|
69 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance[c] | |||
| Waterhead Warriors | 12–8[d] | Leigh Miners Rangers | 18 January 2025, 12:30[e] | Peach Road | A. Williams | not recorded |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 64–16 | Telford Raiders | 18 January 2025, 13:30[e] | Keswick Street | J. Pemberton | |
| British Army | 22–16 | RAF | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Aldershot Military Stadium | C. Hughes | |
| Crosfields | 52–0 | Maryport | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Hood Lane Recreation Ground | L. O'brien | |
| Dewsbury Moor | 20–12 | Haresfinch | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Dewsbury Moor Sports Club | J. Stearne | |
| Lock Lane | 50–10 | Doncaster Toll Bar | 18 January 2025, 14:30[e] | Lock Lane Sports Centre | L. Grundy | |
| Mirfield | 20–26 | Royal Navy | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Slipper Lane | S. Quarmby | |
| Stanley Rangers | 20–34 | Hunslet ARLFC | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Lee Moor Road | O. Taylor | |
| West Bowling | 48–16 | Cutsyke Raiders | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Horsfall Stadium | ||
| West Hull | 90–0 | Edinburgh Eagles | 18 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Johnny Whiteley Park | O. Salmon | |
| Ince Rose Bridge | 56–12 | Longhorns | 18 January 2025, 14:30[e] | Pinfold Street | R. Schofield | |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders | 28–24 | Orrell St James | 19 January 2025, 14:00[e] | Close St | A. Billington | |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 4–18 | Siddal | 11 January 2025, 17:00 | Chiswick Rugby Football Club | S. Jenkinson | |
| Aberavon Fighting Irish | 16–32 | Blackbrook | 12 January 2025, 13:30 | Vivian Park | K. Young | |
| GB Police | 4–52 | York Acorn | 19 January 2025, 13:30[f] | Portico Vine ARLFC | T. Jones | |
| Eastern Rhinos | 4–66 | Wests Warriors | 12 January 2025, 14:30 | Northern Gateway Sports Park | M. McKelvey | |
| London Chargers | 12–28 | Oulton Raiders | 18 January 2025, 14:30[f] | Streatham-Croydon RFC | R. Apsee | |
| Source:[10][11] | ||||||
| Super League[a] | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12 / 12
|
12 / 12
|
11 / 11
|
17 / 34
|
52 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| London Broncos | 10–17 | Goole Vikings | 25 January 2025, 12:30 | Priory Lane | R. Cox | |
| Dewsbury Moor | 6–50 | Dewsbury Rams | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | A. Belafonte | 1,252 |
| Hunslet ARLFC | 18–24 | West Hull | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | The Oval, Leeds | S. Jenkinson | not recorded |
| Lock Lane | 10–50 | Hunslet | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | C. Hughes | |
| Featherstone Rovers | 88–10 | Waterhead Warriors | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | Post Office Road[g] | A. Billington | |
| Wests Warriors | 36–18 | British Army | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | Twyford Avenue Sports Ground | M. McKelvey | not recorded |
| York Acorn | 22–2 | Oulton Raiders | 25 January 2025, 14:00 | Thanet Road | J. Hughes | not recorded |
| Whitehaven | 24–12 | Swinton Lions | 25 January 2025, 15:00 | Recreation Ground | S. Mikalauskas | 908 |
| Oldham | 60–10 | Rochdale Mayfield | 26 January 2025, 12:30 | Boundary Park | W. Turley | 1,032 |
| Cornwall | 0–52 | North Wales Crusaders | 26 January 2025, 13:00 | The Memorial Ground | A. Williams | |
| Royal Navy | 0–56 | Workington Town | 26 January 2025, 13:00 | United Services Recreation Ground | J. Pemberton | not recorded |
| Blackbrook | 12–34 | Ince Rose Bridge | 26 January 2025, 14:00 | Blackbrook Rugby & Recreation Club | M. Clayton | not recorded |
| Midlands Hurricanes | 46–0 | Siddal | 26 January 2025, 14:00 | Alexander Stadium | K. Moore | |
| Barrow Raiders | 86–6 | Crosfields | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | Craven Park | S. Houghton | 849 |
| Bradford Bulls | 30–4 | Doncaster | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | Odsal Stadium | C. Worsley | |
| Halifax Panthers | 48–6 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | The Shay | D. Arnold | 743 |
| Newcastle Thunder | 0–54 | Batley Bulldogs | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | Crow Trees Ground | T. Jones | |
| Rochdale Hornets | 16–34 | Widnes Vikings | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | Spotland | M. Lynn | 866 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 62–0 | West Bowling | 26 January 2025, 15:00 | Olympic Legacy Park | A. Sweet | 518 |
| Keighley Cougars | 12–72 | York Knights | 2 February 2025, 15:00[h] | Cougar Park | M. Lynn | |
| Source:[14][15] | ||||||
The draw for the third round took place live on BBC Sport, on 14 January 2025. The draw was made by RFL vice president Danika Priim, and Betfred owner Fred Done.[16]
Ahead of round 3, the integrity of the competition came into question, with the "Super League teams guaranteed to be played away from home" being reversed or moved to neutral venues for every tie between Super League and amateur clubs. This was done on the basis of amateur grounds not meeting the standards for matches involving professional clubs.[17] The RFL was also criticised for failing for foresee this situation arising when the new format was announced.[18]
| Super League | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12 / 12
|
11 / 12
|
6 / 11
|
4 / 34
|
33 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Sheffield Eagles | 12–48 | Wigan Warriors | 7 February 2025, 19:30 | Olympic Legacy Park | J. Smith | 1,244 |
| Workington Town | 0–60 | Leigh Leopards | 7 February 2025, 19:30 | Derwent Park | L. Rush | 3,033 |
| York Knights | 2–44 | Hull KR | 7 February 2025, 20:00 | York Community Stadium | C. Kendall | 5,369 |
| Halifax Panthers | 0–14 | Catalans Dragons | 8 February 2025, 12:00 | The Shay | M. Griffiths | 806 |
| Wests Warriors | 0–92 | Leeds Rhinos | 8 February 2025, 12:00 | Headingley[i] | M. Lynn | 1,310 |
| West Hull | 0–38 | St Helens | 8 February 2025, 14:00 | Craven Park[j] | S. Mikalauskas | 5,500 (est)[k] |
| York Acorn | 6–52 | Hull FC | 8 February 2025, 14:00 | Post Office Road[l] | W. Turley | |
| Goole Vikings | 0–82 | Wakefield Trinity | 8 February 2025, 15:00 | Belle Vue[m] | C. Worsley | 2,032 |
| Whitehaven | 4–44 | Warrington Wolves | 8 February 2025, 15:00 | Recreation Ground | A. Moore | 3,980 |
| Bradford Bulls | 18–16 | Castleford Tigers | 9 February 2025, 13:00 | Odsal Stadium | L. Moore | 2,946 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 26–4 | Dewsbury Rams | 9 February 2025, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | R. Cox | |
| Featherstone Rovers | 68–0 | Ince Rose Bridge | 9 February 2025, 14:00 | Post Office Road | A. Sweet | |
| Midlands Hurricanes | 10–46 | Salford Red Devils | 9 February 2025, 14:00 | Alexander Stadium | A. Belafonte | 985 |
| North Wales Crusaders | 20–26 | Widnes Vikings | 9 February 2025, 14:30 | Eirias Stadium | D. Arnold | |
| Hunslet | 6–34 | Huddersfield Giants | 9 February 2025, 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | T. Grant | 831 |
| Oldham | 42–4 | Barrow Raiders | 9 February 2025, 15:00 | Boundary Park | K. Moore | 1,064 |
| Source:[24] | ||||||
The draw for the fourth round took place on Saturday 15 February 2025, live on BBC Two, during half-time of the Super League game between St Helens and Salford Red Devils, on the opening weekend of the 2025 Super League season.[25]
| Super League | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 / 12
|
5 / 12
|
0 / 11
|
0 / 34
|
16 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Hull KR | 40–0 | Oldham | 14 March 2025, 20:00 | Craven Park | T. Grant | |
| Salford Red Devils | 26–16 | Bradford Bulls | 14 March 2025, 20:00 | Salford Community Stadium | J. Smith | 3,066 |
| St Helens | 22–14 | Leeds Rhinos | 14 March 2025, 20:00 | Totally Wicked Stadium | L. Moore | 7,531 |
| Catalans Dragons | 46–18 | Featherstone Rovers | 15 March 2025, 17:00 | Stade Gilbert Brutus | M. Griffiths | |
| Widnes Vikings | 16–26 | Warrington Wolves | 15 March 2025, 17:00 | Halton Stadium | J. Vella | 7,011 |
| Wigan Warriors | 22–26 | Hull FC | 15 March 2025, 17:45 | Brick Community Stadium | C. Kendall | 9,287 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 12–22 | Wakefield Trinity | 16 March 2025, 15:00 | John Smiths Stadium | A. Moore | 3,195 |
| Leigh Leopards | 62–4 | Batley Bulldogs | 16 March 2025, 15:00 | Leigh Sports Village | L. Rush | 4,717 |
| Source:[26] | ||||||
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on Monday 17 March 2025, live on BBC Radio 5 Live sport.[27]
The attendance of 20,226 at the Hull Derby, was the highest attendance at a cup match outside a final since the 1989 quarter final between Leeds and Widnes.[28] Despite increased attendances at games, the televised games viewing figures were less than hoped for due to competition with the Grand National on Saturday.[29]
| Super League | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 / 12
|
0 / 12
|
0 / 11
|
0 / 34
|
8 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Catalans Dragons | 20–12 | Salford Red Devils | 4 April 2025, 19:00 | Stade Gilbert Brutus | A. Moore | |
| Wakefield Trinity | 12–20 | Leigh Leopards | 4 April 2025, 20:00 | Belle Vue | J. Smith | 6,125 |
| Hull FC | 16–32 | Hull KR | 5 April 2025, 14:30 | MKM Stadium | C. Kendall | 20,226 |
| Warrington Wolves | 20–12 | St Helens | 6 April 2025, 14:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | L. Moore | 10,114 |
| Source:[28] | ||||||
The draw for the semi-finals took place on Sunday 6 April 2025, during half time between Warrington Wolves and St Helens live on BBC Two.
Matches were played as part of a double header, alongside the women's semi finals. Saturday's semi-final received a peak television audience of 528,000 accounting for 9.6% of the viewer share, while Sunday's game received 396,000 accounting for 4.5%.[30]
| Super League | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4 / 12
|
0 / 12
|
0 / 11
|
0 / 34
|
4 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Hull KR | 36–12 | Catalans Dragons | 10 May 2025, 14:30 | York Community Stadium | C. Kendall | 8,402 |
| Warrington Wolves | 21–14 | Leigh Leopards | 11 May 2025, 16:15 | Totally Wicked Stadium | L. Moore | 11,722 |
| Source: | ||||||
The final took place on Saturday 7 June 2025, as part of finals day, alongside the Women's final and the final of the 1895 Cup.
| Super League | Championship | League One | Non-League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 / 12
|
0 / 12
|
0 / 11
|
0 / 34
|
2 / 69
|
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||
| Warrington Wolves | 6–8 | Hull KR | 7 June 2025, 15:00 | Wembley Stadium | L. Moore | 63,278 |
| Source: | ||||||
| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | British Army v RAF | 18 January | Broadcast live on BFBS.[31] |
| Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers | 18 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[32] | |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James | 19 January | Streamed live on The Sportsman.[32] | |
| 2nd | London Broncos v Goole Vikings | 25 January | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[33] |
| Royal Navy vs Workington Town | 26 January | Broadcast live on BFBS.[34] | |
| Keighley Cougars v York Knights | 2 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman.[12] | |
| 3rd | York Knights v Hull KR | 7 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman.[35] |
| Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons | 8 February | ||
| Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers | 9 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[36] | |
| 4th | St Helens v Leeds Rhinos | 14 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman.[37] |
| Wigan Warriors v Hull FC | 15 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button.[37] | |
| QF | Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards | 4 April | Streamed live on SuperLeague+ |
| Hull FC vs Hull KR | 5 April | Broadcast live on BBC One [38] | |
| Warrington Wolves vs St Helens | 6 April | Broadcast live on BBC Two [39] |
