A total of 56,383 fans witnessed Wigan Warriors lift their 22nd Challenge Cup Final trophy at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
Such a low attendance, compared to last year’s crowd of 63,278, can be explained by the fact this is Hull KR’s third trip to Wembley in four years and Wigan’s third in five years, whilst neutrals may have also been put off given the fact that these sides have contested the last two Grand Finals as well.
The Warriors were far too strong for a Hull KR side whose streak of four consecutive trophies in a row came crashing down, after the Robins lost out 40-10.
Wigan led 10-4 at the break thanks to two tries from Jack Farrimond. Peta Hiku’s score on the stroke of half-time saw KR go into the break only one try down, but they wouldn’t be able to recover that lead in the second stanza.
Adam Keighran crossed for two, whilst Junior Nsemba, Bevan French and Luke Thompson rounded out the tries for Matt Peet’s side, in what was an afternoon of delight for the Cherry and Whites given their Women’s side also had success earlier that afternoon.
The Warriors women, led by Denis Betts, secured a 54-6 win with Eva Hunter crossing for four of Wigan’s 10 scores.
2027 Challenge Cup Final date confirmed
Following full-time of the 2026 competition, plans are already in place for the 2027 Challenge Cup Final, with the date for the big day next year now set.
Next year, Wembley will again host the competition’s finale, and it will do so on Saturday 5th June.
As for the past few seasons, the men’s and the women’s finals will both take place that day, with fans now able to pre-register their interest for tickets.
To pre-register your interest, simply click here, and it will take you to the RFL’s website where you can be the first to know about tickets for next year’s event.
Johnny
May 30, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Attendance down
Any wonder when the chalenge cup draw is bent as
Smith Moore Kendall
I am an fc fan
And we have never won a game under the above them three cost us a lot of fans and money
Anonymous
May 30, 2026 at 9:33 pm
Stop with Wembley already ffs
John Dalton
May 31, 2026 at 12:26 am
I guess that everybody decided that they did not want to watch Wigan’s reserves turn out again!!
John Andrews
May 31, 2026 at 1:57 pm
NEEDS THE FORMAT SORTING AGAIN & ALL THE MORE REASON TO PLAY IT AT THE ETIHAD FAR FAIRER ON THE REAL RL FANS NOT THE PARTIME COCKNEYS IMO!
Jay Cee
May 31, 2026 at 9:48 pm
Until someone stops thinking that London is the be all, this will continue to happen.
The competition should be held in the rugby league heart lans which is the North of England. Let’s stop the fans of Rugby League stop being ripped off.
Now that Manchester City venue can hold 70 thousand it make sense to sign contract with CFG for the foreseeable and Keep the money where it belongs.
as part of that contract 50% of all Profits go to grassroots rugby.