2026 Challenge Cup

The competition retains the seven-round format introduced in 2025. The first round will again be contested solely by community clubs. The Championship clubs join the competition in the second round and the Super League clubs in the third round. However, for 2026, the first and second rounds will be played with clubs allocated to one of three regions, with games being played on a regional basis. This change has been introduced in an effort to reduce costs and an attempt to increase interest in the early rounds of the competition.^[1]

As in 2025, the Super League clubs will be drawn away in the third round.^[1]

The competition starts in January 2026, and will conclude with the final on 30 May at Wembley Stadium.

Toulouse Olympique declined to take part, as in previous years.

On 9 January 2026, Featherstone Rovers were excluded from the competition due to the ongoing financial difficulties at the club. As the draw for the first and second rounds had already been made by this date, Featherstone's opponent in the second round, Lock Lane were given a bye through to the third round.^[2]

The 34 clubs in the first round will be allocated to one of three regions, North West, Yorkshire and National. Most of the clubs are from the National Conference League (NCL) but also included are the three armed services clubs, GB Police, one each from the Welsh and Irish leagues, four from the Southern Conference League, one from the London league and one from the Midlands.^[4]

St Helens based club, Haresfinch, were originally included in the competition but withdrew before the first-round matches were played. Their place was taken by Oldham St Annes.^[5]

There will be 12 clubs in the North West region who will play six ties in the first round; Blackbrook, GB Police, Ince Rose Bridge, Leigh Miners Rangers, Oldham St Annes, Orrell St James, Rochdale Mayfield, Seaton Rangers, Siddal, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Waterhead, and Wigan St Judes.^[1]

In the second round, they will be joined by eight Championship clubs; Barrow Raiders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Salford, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven, Widnes Vikings and Workington Town to play seven ties in the second round.^[1]

The Yorkshire region will also comprise 12 clubs playing six ties in the first round; Brighouse Rangers, Dewsbury Moor, Heworth, Hunslet ARLFC, King Cross Park, Lock Lane, Mirfield Spartans, Royal Air Force, Stanningley Rangers, West Hull, Woodhouse and York Acorn.^[1]

Nine Championship clubs; Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Goole Vikings, Halifax Panthers, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Newcastle Thunder and Sheffield Eagles join the six community clubs to play eight ties in the second round.^[1]

The National region will contain 10 clubs playing five first-round ties; Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bedford Tigers, British Army, Broncos, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, Medway Dragons, Royal Navy, Telford Raiders and Wests Warriors.^[1]

The five first-round winners will be joined in the second round by London Broncos, Midlands Hurricanes and North Wales Crusaders to play four ties in the second round.^[1]

The draws for the first and second rounds were made on 24 November 2025.^[6]

The third round draw was made on 12 January 2026.^[12]

The fourth round draw was made on 9 February 2026.^[16]

The quarter-final draw was made on 17 March.

The draw for the semi-finals took place on Sunday 12 April 2026, during half time between Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors live on BBC One.