Betfred Challenge Cup 2026: First and second round draws details

The countdown to the 2026 rugby league season will begin next Monday (November 24), with the draws for the first two rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

The draws will include 34 clubs and teams from the community game for the first round, with the 21 clubs due to play in next season’s expanded Betfred Championship then joining for the second round – and regionalisation introduced to both draws to increase local rivalry and reduce travelling costs.

The format of the remainder of the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup will be the same as in 2025, following the positive impact of a new-look third round in which the Betfred Super League clubs will again be seeded, and therefore guaranteed an away tie against the community and Championship clubs who win the 19 second round ties.

As has become traditional, the first round ties will kick off the season, with the 17 matches to be played on the weekend of January 10-11.

The 19 second round ties will be played on the weekend of January 24-25, with the 16 third round ties on the weekend of February 7-8 – before the 2026 Betfred Super League season kicks off on Thursday 12 February.

The 34 teams in the first round draw feature the usual national spread, with four teams from the Southern Conference League, Aberavon Fighting Irish representing Wales and Challenge Cup debutants from County Down in Northern Ireland, the Broncos who are based in Banbridge.

The British Army, the RAF and the Royal Navy will return, along with Great Britain Police, Telford Raiders from the Midlands and Medway Dragons from the London ARL.

They will be joined by National Conference League heavyweights such as Siddal, Thatto Heath Crusaders and West Hull, with Seaton Rangers flying the flag for Cumbria.

The draw will be conducted at Rugby League Headquarters in Manchester, with Ross Fiddes hosting – and all the details to be published at 4pm.

The full list of teams in the first round draw is as follows – divided into three sections for a regionalised draw:

North West (12 teams, 6 ties) – GB Police, Seaton Rangers, Orrell St James, Haresfinch, Blackbrook, Siddal, Waterhead, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Rochdale Mayfield, Leigh Miners Rangers, Wigan St Judes, Ince Rose Bridge

Yorkshire (12 teams, 6 ties) – Woodhouse, Brighouse Rangers, RAF, King Cross Park, Mirfield Spartans, Stanningley Rangers, West Hull, Hunslet ARLFC, York Acorn, Lock Lane, Dewsbury Moor, Heworth

National (10 teams, 5 ties) – Broncos (Northern Ireland), Aberavon Fighting Irish (Wales), Bedford Tigers, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, Wests Warriors (Southern Conference League), British Army, Royal Navy, Medway Dragons (London ARL), Telford Raiders (Midlands)

The second round draw will combine 17 first round winners with the 21 Betfred Championship clubs, to produce 19 ties – which will again be regionalised as much as possible.

North West (8 teams) – Barrow Raiders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Salford Red Devils, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven, Widnes Vikings, Workington Town

Yorks / North East (10 teams) – Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Featherstone Rovers, Goole Vikings, Halifax Panthers, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Newcastle Thunder, Sheffield Eagles

National (3 teams) – London Broncos, Midlands Hurricanes, North Wales Crusaders

Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates:

First round draw – Monday November 24 (4pm release)
First round (community) – Jan 10-11
Second round (Championship clubs enter) – Jan 24-25
Third round (Super League clubs enter) – Feb 6-8
Fourth round (last 16) – March 14-15
Quarter-finals – April 11-12
Semi-finals – May 10/11
Final – Saturday 30 May