# 2023 Challenge Cup

The 2023 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 122nd edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It began over the weekend of 11–12 February 2023 and ended with the final, at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 August.
The defending champions were Wigan Warriors, who won the 2022 Challenge Cup Final, by narrowly defeating Huddersfield Giants 16–14, but they were eliminated in the semi finals, as Brad Schneider kicked a drop goal in extra time, to win the game for Hull KR 11–10.

## Background

The competition started on 11 February and concluded with the final on 12 August. The final returned to its traditional home, Wembley Stadium in London, after being played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022. League One team Cornwall R.L.F.C. made their first appearance in the competition having declined to enter in their debut season.
All professional RFL member clubs were invited to participate as well as a number of invited amateur teams including teams representing the British armed forces. This year the entry of the amateur clubs was split; in round 1, the armed forces teams entered along with the Scottish, Irish and Welsh champions with English teams from outside the National Conference League Premier Division making up the 36 teams to compete in the round. Ten teams from the National Conference League Premier Division joined in round 2, together with the 10 teams from League One. Shortly after the format for the tournament was announced, West Wales Raiders withdrew from the competition. The RFL announced that rounds one and two would be altered slightly to cope with this by increasing the number of teams in round one to 36 and reducing the numbers of new clubs in round two from 21 to 20.
The Championship clubs with the exception of Toulouse Olympique who declined to enter, joined the tournament in round 3. Rounds 4 and 5 reduced the lower league clubs to four before the Super League clubs entered in round 6.

### Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format :
| Round | Date | Clubs involved this round | Winners from previous round | New entries this round | Leagues entering at this round |
| Round 1 | 11–12 February | 36 | None | 36 | 36 UK based community league teams |
| Round 2 | 25–26 February | 38 | 18 | 20 | 10 teams from National Conference League Premier Division and 10 League One |
| Round 3 | 9–12 March | 32 | 19 | 13 | All teams from the Championship except Toulouse Olympique |
| Round 4 | 30 March – 2 April | 16 | 16 | None |
| Round 5 | 20–23 April | 8 | 8 | None |
| Round 6 | 18–21 May | 16 | 4 | 12 | All 12 teams from the Super League |
| Quarter-finals | 15–18 June | 8 | 8 | None | None |
| Semi-finals | 22 July | 4 | 4 |
| Final | 12 August | 2 | 2 |

## First round

The draw for the first and second rounds were made at Wembley Stadium on 12 January 2023. Ties were played over the weekend of 11 and 12 February 2023.
Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| West Bowling | 30–12 | Waterhead | 11 February; 11:00 | Horsfall Stadium | O. Salmon | Not given |
| Edinburgh Eagles | 20–30 | Saddleworth Rangers | 11 February, 13:15 | Royal High School, Edinburgh | S. Fraser | Not given |
| Brentwood Eels | 34–24 | Bedford Tigers | 11 February, 13:30 | Ashwells Road, Brentwood | M. Rossleigh | Not given |
| Royal Navy | 28–16 | Barrow Island | 11 February, 13:30 | The Victory Stadium, Portsmouth | J. Jones | Not given |
| Skirlaugh | 16–26 | Wests Warriors | 11 February, 13:30 | Slaithes Lane, Hedon | J. Ruckledge | Not given |
| Westgate Common | 36–18 | Crosfields | 11 February, 13:30 | Park Grove Road, Wakefield | D. Arnold | Not given |
| British Army | 12–28 | Ashton Bears | 11 February; 14:00 | Aldershot Military Stadium | W. Gilder | Not given |
| Distington | 04–16 | Orrell St James | 11 February; 14:00 | West View Road, Distington | J. Hughes | Not given |
| Doncaster Toll Bar | 24–36 | Royal Air Force | 11 February; 14:00 | Prospect Road, Doncaster | M. McKelvey | Not given |
| Featherstone Lions | 06–20 | Great Britain Police | 11 February; 14:00 | Wakefield Road, Featherstone | S. Jenkinson | Not given |
| Fryston Warriors | 38–22 | Thornhill Trojans | 11 February; 14:00 | Askham Road, Ferry Fryston | C. Hughes | Not given |
| Hull Dockers | 54–10 | Rhondda Outlaws | 11 February; 14:00 | The Willows, Hull | D. Frederick | Not given |
| Stanningley | 38–40 | Milford | 11 February; 14:00 | The Arthur Miller Stadium, Leeds | A. Williams | Not given |
| London Chargers | 32–12 | North Herts Crusaders | 11 February; 14:30 | Kings House School, Chiswick | M. Cowan | Not given |
| Wigan St Pats | 22–30 | Ince Rose Bridge | 11 February; 14:30 | Harper St, Wigan | F. Lincoln | Not given |
| Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 08–42 | Dublin City Exiles | 11 February; 17:00 | Chiswick Rugby Club, Chiswick | H. Winnard | Not given |
| Heworth | 22–60 | Oulton Raiders | 12 February, 12:00 | Elmpark Way, Heworth | J. Covell-Wood | Not given |
| Jarrow Vikings | 26–40 | Myton Warriors | 12 February, 13:30 | Monkton Stadium, Jarrow | T. Gibbs | Not given |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Attendances not recorded for matches involving amateur clubs

## Second round

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Cornwall | 14–20 | Rochdale Mayfield | 25 February; 13:00 | The Memorial Ground, Penryn | M. Rossleigh | 1,061 |
| Brentwood Eels | 04–58 | Wath Brow Hornets | 25 February; 13:30 | Ashwells Road, Brentwood | W. Gilder | Not given |
| Lock Lane | 22–30 | West Bowling | 25 February; 13:30 | Lock Lane, Castleford | A. Rhodes | Not given |
| Fryston Warriors | 12–28 | Stanningley | 25 February; 13:30 | Askham Road, Ferry Fryston | A. Belafonte | Not given |
| Saddleworth Rangers | 04–18 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 25 February; 13:30 | Shaw Hall Bank Road | J. Hughes | Not given |
| Ashton Bears | 08–38 | Dewsbury Rams | 25 February; 14:00 | Crown Flatt | E. Burrow | Not given |
| Myton Warriors | 22–34 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 25 February; 14:00 | Marist Sporting Club, Hull | M. Clayton | Not given |
| North Wales Crusaders | 70–00 | Royal Navy | 25 February; 14:00 | Eirias Stadium | J. Lincoln | 255 |
| RAF | 10–12 | York Acorn | 25 February; 14:00 | RAF Cranwell | S. Jenkinson | Not given |
| Wests Warriors | 18–14 | London Chargers | 25 February; 14:00 | Twyford Avenue, London | H. Winnard | Not given |
| Hunslet ARLFC | 66–00 | Pilkington Recs | 25 February; 14:30 | The Oval, Leeds | C. Hughes | Not given |
| Siddal | 14–80 | West Hull | 25 February; 14:30 | Exley Lane, Halifax | R. Cox | Not given |
| Orrell St James | 68–14 | Dublin City Exiles | 25 February; 15:00 | Bankes Avenue, Orrell | S. Houghton | Not given |
| Rochdale Hornets | 42–40 | London Skolars | 26 February; 13:00 | Spotland Stadium | M. Lynn | 300 |
| GB Police | 18–22 | Westgate Common | 26 February; 13:00 | Scholes Lane, St. Helens | T. Jones | Not given |
| Workington Town | 68–60 | Ince Rose Bridge | 26 February; 14:00 | Derwent Park | B. Milligan | 603 |
| Hull Dockers | 04–50 | Midlands Hurricanes | 26 February; 14:45 | Craven Park, Hull | A. Sweet | Not given |
| Doncaster | 28–26 | Oldham | 26 February; 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | K. Moore | 517 |
| Hunslet | 68–60 | Heworth | 26 February; 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | L. Bland | 556 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Although drawn at home Ashton Bears agreed to the match being played at Dewsbury.

## Third round

The third round draw was made on 27 February.
Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Westgate Common | 12–15 | Hunslet A.R.L.F.C | 11 March, 13:30 | Park Grove Road | E. Burrow | Not given |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 10–38 | Rochdale Mayfield | 11 March, 14:00 | Twist Lane | M. Smaill | Not given |
| Orrell St James | 12–19 | Midlands Hurricanes | 11 March, 14:00 | Bankes Avenue, Orrell | M. Lynn | Not given |
| London Broncos | 32–10 | Whitehaven | 11 March, 15:00 | Plough Lane | L. Rush | Not given |
| Wests Warriors | 04–80 | Widnes Vikings | 11 March, 15:00 | DCBL Stadium | R. Cox | Not given |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders | 10–18 | North Wales Crusaders | 12 March, 12:30 | Close Street | S. Mikalauskas | Not given |
| Stanningley | 16–58 | Newcastle Thunder | 12 March, 13:00 | The Arthur Miller Stadium | L. Bland | Not given |
| Batley Bulldogs | 60–00 | Wath Brow Hornets | 12 March, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | B. Milligan | Not given |
| Dewsbury Rams | 38–18 | Rochdale Hornets | 12 March, 14:00 | Crown Flatt | C. Worsley | 445 |
| Siddal | 12–34 | Sheffield Eagles | 12 March, 14:30 | Exley Lane, Halifax | K. Moore | not given |
| Barrow Raiders | 32–14 | Swinton Lions | 12 March, 15:00 | Craven Park | J. Vella | 1,161 |
| Bradford Bulls | 62–60 | York Acorn | 12 March, 15:00 | Odsal Stadium | A. Belafonte | 1,143 |
| Doncaster | 24–20 | Workington Town | 12 March, 15:00 | Eco-Power Stadium | N. Bennett | 485 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 18–22 | Halifax Panthers | 12 March, 15:00 | Post Office Road | L. Moore | 1,487 |
| Hunslet | 14–16 | Keighley Cougars | 12 March, 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | M. Rossleigh | 519 |
| York Knights | 52–12 | West Bowling | 12 March, 15:00 | York Community Stadium | A. Sweet | 1,040 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Wests Warriors ceded home advantage and agreed to play at Widnes.
* ↑ Originally scheduled for 11 March but postponed due to a frozen pitch.
* ↑ Originally scheduled for 11 March but postponed on 10 March due to adverse weather conditions.

## Fourth round

The draw for the fourth and fifth rounds was made on Wednesday 15 March at Millom RLFC, the oldest amateur club. No new teams enter in these rounds so the fourth round comprises just eight matches.
Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 12–22 | Newcastle Thunder | 1 April, 13:00 | Mayfield Sports Centre | N. Bennett | Not given |
| Keighley Cougars | 36–14 | North Wales Crusaders | 1 April, 15:00 | Cougar Park | M. Smaill | 862 |
| London Broncos | 66–16 | Doncaster | 1 April, 15:00 | Priory Lane | S. Mikalauskas | 428 |
| York Knights | 24–22 | Sheffield Eagles | 2 April, 12:30 | York Community Stadium | J. Vella | 832 |
| Hunslet ARLFC | 06–80 | Batley Bulldogs | 2 April, 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | B. Milligan | 579 |
| Dewsbury Rams | 32–12 | Widnes Vikings | 2 April, 15:00 | Crown Flatt | L. Rush | 802 |
| Halifax Panthers | 24–18 | Barrow Raiders | 2 April 15:00 | The Shay | T. Grant | 1,474 |
| Midlands Hurricanes | 18–66 | Bradford Bulls | 2 April, 15:00 | Odsal Stadium | C. Worsley | 1,003 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Fixture moved to Batley after Hunslet's ground deemed unsuitable for a game against a professional team.
* ↑ Midlands requested that the match be played at Bradford's Odsal Stadium.

## Fifth round

Drawn immediately after the fourth round draw, the four fixtures determined which teams from below Super League would progress to the draw with the 12 Super League teams.
Challenge Cup round 5 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| York Knights | 22–18 | Newcastle Thunder | 21 April, 19:30 | York Community Stadium | N. Bennett | 1,100 |
| Halifax Panthers | 26–00 | Bradford Bulls | 22 April, 19:00 | The Shay | T. Grant | 2,146 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 34–16 | Keighley Cougars | 23 April, 15:00 | Mount Pleasant | J. Vella | 923 |
| London Broncos | 36–16 | Dewsbury Rams | 23 April, 15:05 | Priory Lane | L. Rush | 353 |
| Source: |||||||

## Sixth round

The draw for the sixth round took place live on BBC News' Sportsday on 24 April. The draw was made by England women's captain Jodie Cunningham.
Ties were played over the weekend of 19-21 May.
Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Halifax Panthers | 06–26 | St Helens | 19 May, 19:45 | The Shay | A. Moore | 4,693 |
| Wakefield Trinity | 12–40 | Leigh Leopards | 19 May, 19:45 | The Be Well Support Stadium | B. Thaler | 1,568 |
| Hull KR | 50–00 | Batley Bulldogs | 19 May, 20:00 | Sewell Group Craven Park | T. Grant | 5,200 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 14–18 | Wigan Warriors | 20 May, 14:30 | Headingley | C. Kendall | 7,103 |
| Catalans Dragons | 14–16 | Warrington Wolves | 20 May, 17:00 | Stade Gilbert Brutus | J. Smith | 5,014 |
| Salford Red Devils | 42–40 | Huddersfield Giants | 20 May, 19:30 | AJ Bell Stadium | M. Griffiths | 2,872 |
| Castleford Tigers | 08–32 | Hull FC | 21 May, 15:00 | Mend-A-Hose Jungle | L. Moore | 4,249 |
| York Knights | 36–12 | London Broncos | 21 May, 15:00 | York Community Stadium | J. Vella | 951 |
| Source: |||||||

## Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made live on BBC Two after the conclusion of the sixth-round tie between Castleford and Hull FC. The draw was made by John Kear. Ties were played over the weekend of 17–18 June.
Challenge Cup quarter-final fixtures :
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull KR | 28–10 | Salford Red Devils | 17 June, 12:00 | Craven Park | B. Thaler | 6,289 |
| Hull FC | 18–32 | St Helens | 17 June, 14:30 | MKM Stadium | C. Kendall | 8,127 |
| Wigan Warriors | 14–12 | Warrington Wolves | 18 June, 14:30 | DW Stadium | L. Moore | 9,302 |
| York Knights | 14–34 | Leigh Leopards | 18 June, 17:00 | York Community Stadium | J. Smith | 2,412 |

## Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was conducted on 18 June, during half time in the Wigan v Warrington match. The draw was made by Lois Forsell, head coach of Leeds Rhinos.
Ties took place over the weekend of 22–23 July, each being a double header with one of the semi-finals of the women's competition.
Challenge Cup semi-final fixtures :
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leigh Leopards | 12–10 | St Helens | 22 July, 14:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | C. Kendall | 12,113 |
| Hull KR | 11–10 | Wigan Warriors | 23 July, 17:00 | Headingley | L. Moore | 10,926 |

## Final

On 12 August 2022, the RFL announced that the Challenge Cup Final would return to Wembley after its one year hiatus, and be played as a triple header, alongside the women's final, and the 1895 Cup final. The final was played on 12 August 2023.
Challenge Cup Final :
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull KR | 16–17 | Leigh Leopards | 12 August, 15:00 | Wembley Stadium | C. Kendall | 58,213 |

## Broadcast matches

Broadcast matches :
| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
| 1st | Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers | 11 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 1st | Wigan St Pats v Ince Rose Bridge | 11 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 2nd | Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield | 25 February | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 2nd | Hull Dockers v Midlands Hurricanes | 26 February | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 3rd | Thatto Heath Crusaders v North Wales Crusaders | 12 March | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 3rd | Featherstone Rovers v Halifax Panthers | 12 March | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 4th | York Knights v Sheffield Eagles | 2 April | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 4th | Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings | 2 April | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 5th | Halifax Panthers v Bradford Bulls | 22 April | Broadcast live on BBC Red Button |
| 5th | Batley Bulldogs v Keighley Cougars | 23 April | Streamed live on The Sportsman |
| 6th | Halifax Panthers v St Helens | 19 May | Broadcast live on Viaplay |
| 6th | Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors | 20 May | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| 6th | Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants | 20 May | Broadcast live on Viaplay |
| 6th | Castleford Tigers v Hull F.C. | 21 May | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
| QF | Hull KR v Salford Red Devils | 17 June | Broadcast live on Viaplay |
| QF | Hull FC v St Helens | 17 June | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| QF | Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves | 18 June | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| QF | York Knights v Leigh Leopards | 18 June | Broadcast live on Viaplay |
| SF | Leigh Leopards v St Helens | 22 July | Broadcast live on BBC One |
| SF | Hull KR v Wigan Warriors | 23 July | Broadcast live on BBC Two |
| F | Hull KR v Leigh Leopards | 12 August | Broadcast live on BBC One |