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Challenge Cup return dates confirmed

The dates for the remaining rounds of the Challenge Cup have been confirmed, with the final to be played on Saturday 17 October.

The competition itself will resume on August 22 with a Sixth Round double header to be broadcast live on the BBC from the John Smith’s Stadium, which will see Wigan face Warrington at 2:30pm, before St Helens take on Salford at 5pm.

The remaining Round Six games will be played over the same weekend of August 22-23.

The Quarter Finals have been rescheduled for the weekend of September 19-20; the Semi Finals for Saturday October 3; and the Final to follow two weeks later on Saturday October 17 with a 3:00pm kick off live on BBC1.

Venues for all other fixtures, including the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup Final, are still to be confirmed.  

Full details of the Sixth Round will be confirmed by the end of July, following a deadline for the five Betfred Championship and League 1 clubs remaining in the competition to inform the RFL whether they feel able to continue.

RFL Chief Commercial Officer Mark Foster said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the place of the Coral Challenge Cup in the revised schedule for the 2020 Rugby League season, including Saturday October 17 as the new date for the Final.

“This should have been the sport’s annual weekend at Wembley. We recognised some time ago that a July final would not be possible, but it’s fantastic that we are now able to announce the return of this year’s competition – and it’s exciting to start with a Double Header live on the BBC.

Reigning Challenge Cup winners Warrington will get the competition back underway when they face Wigan on August 22. Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images

“We have all seen the record audiences they have achieved for their Premier League football coverage in recent weeks, so this is a real opportunity to showcase the best of our sport.

“It is also fitting that the Double Header will take place in Huddersfield as we celebrate 125 Years of Rugby League almost to the day, and that famous meeting at The George Hotel at the end of August in 1895.

“We are grateful for the support of Coral, the BBC and the clubs in ensuring that the competition will maintain its place in the British sporting calendar. There has been a Challenge Cup Final every year since 1940, which was the only year without a Final since the five years between 1915 and 1920 because of the First World War.

“We will confirm the outstanding details, including the venue for the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup Final, as soon as possible – and we are grateful to those supporters who bought tickets for the original date in July for appreciating the unique circumstances which mean ongoing uncertainty.

“With increased optimism about the return of crowds to professional sport in the autumn we are still working through all venue options for all remaining rounds, to be able to react to any changes to the Government guidance over the coming weeks and months – and should the best option be to host the Final at Wembley Stadium we do have it provisionally booked for Saturday October 17.”

Coral Challenge Cup 2020 revised dates:

Sixth Round: August 22-23 

Quarter Finals: September 19-20 

Semi Finals: October 3 

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