Challenge Cup final postponed - but could still go ahead this year

Leeds Rhinos lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2015. Picture by Steve Riding.Leeds Rhinos lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2015. Picture by Steve Riding.
Leeds Rhinos lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2015. Picture by Steve Riding. | freelance
This year's Coral Challenge Cup final, scheduled for July 18 at Wembley, has been postponed.

The lower division 1895 Cup final, due to be played as a curtain-raiser, is also on hold, but the Rugby Football League insist neither competition has been cancelled.

Five rounds of the Challenge Cup have been played and the draw for the last 16 was made in March, on the day all rugby league was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The sixth round and quarter-finals have already been missed and the semi-finals were scheduled as a double header at Bolton on Saturday, June 6.

The Coral Challenge Cup. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.The Coral Challenge Cup. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.
The Coral Challenge Cup. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. | freelance

Ironically, this year's final had been brought forward a month from its usual late-August date.

The Yorkshire Evening Post revealed in March that the RFL have looked at moving the Cup final to Old Trafford on October 10, the date and venue originally set for this year's Betfred Super League Grand Final.

However, the RFL say they have not given up hope of the final still being played at the national stadium.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An RFL spokesman confirmed: "The finals have been postponed, but not cancelled.

Dave Fifita takes the ball up for Wakefield Trinity during their Challenge Cup fifth round win over Bradford Bulls on March 13. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Dave Fifita takes the ball up for Wakefield Trinity during their Challenge Cup fifth round win over Bradford Bulls on March 13. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Dave Fifita takes the ball up for Wakefield Trinity during their Challenge Cup fifth round win over Bradford Bulls on March 13. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe. | jpimedia

"We are hoping to rearrange for later in the year, dependent on the government, public health and so on."

Leeds Rhinos are due to play host to Hull KR in the sixth round, when Wakefield Trinity will face neighbours Featherstone Rovers, Castleford Tigers travel to York City Knights and Hull are at Sheffield Eagles.

The 1895 Cup has yet to begin.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1858
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice