Challenge Cup draw details confirmed with League One club hosting and York Knights contingency firmed up

Goole Vikings will host the draws for the first and second rounds of the Challenge Cup as they prepare to enter the competition for the first time.

The East Yorkshire club are preparing to compete in League One in 2025 and as they ready themselves for their bow into the professional game, the club have been given the honour of hosting the Cup draw.

The draw will take place on December 2, with BBC Sport broadcasting live on their platforms. Goole will enter the competition in the second round, alongside every other Championship and League One club barring Toulouse Olympique.

The first round will be contested by 34 clubs and teams from the community game, with Eastern Rhinos, Mirfield and Telford Raiders competing in the competition for the first time. That number includes 15 sides from the National Conference League, three Armed Forces outfits and teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Those ties will be played over the weekend of January 11-12, with the 17 winners progressing to the second round, where they could take on a professional club. Of course, London Broncos, who were competing in Super League last season are included in the second round and would represent something of a glamour tie for those community clubs.

The second round will be played over the weekend of January 25, with York Knights’ tie being the only exception. York are due to take on Hull KR in a friendly in Amsterdam that weekend and as a result, they have been granted permission to play their opening Cup tie in early February.

Goole, who are coached by former England international Scott Taylor, will be hoping to seal a tie with a big name club for what will be their first ever competitive game as a professional club.

Betfred Challenge Cup 2025

First Round (draw Monday December 2, ties to be played weekend of January 11-12):

Armed Forces (3) – British Army, RAF, Royal Navy;

Cumberland Amateur Rugby League (1) – Maryport.

GB Police (1);

Ireland Rugby League (1) – Longhorns.

Midlands Rugby League (1) – Telford Raiders (Harry Jepson Trophy winners).

National Conference League (15) – Crosfields, Dewsbury Moor, Hunslet ARLFC, Ince Rose Bridge, Leigh Miners Rangers, Lock Lane, Oulton Raiders, Rochdale Mayfield, Siddal, Thatto Heath (also BARLA National Cup winners), Waterhead Warriors, Wath Brow Hornets, West Bowling, West Hull, York Acorn.

North West Men’s League (3) – Blackbrook, Haresfinch, Orrell St James (as BARLA National Cup runners-up).

Pennine League (1) – Mirfield.

Scotland Rugby League (1) – Edinburgh Eagles.

Southern Conference League (4) – Eastern Rhinos, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, Wests Warriors.

Wales Rugby League (1) – Aberavon Fighting Irish.

Yorkshire Men’s League (2) – Doncaster Toll Bar, Stanley Rangers.

Second Round (draw Monday December 2, ties to be played January 25-26)

17 first round winners;

Betfred Championship (12) – Barrow Raiders, Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls, Doncaster, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax Panthers, Hunslet, London Broncos, Oldham, Sheffield Eagles, Widnes Vikings, York Knights.

Betfred League One (11) – Cornwall, Dewsbury Rams, Goole Vikings, Keighley Cougars, Midlands Hurricanes, Newcastle Thunder, North Wales Crusaders, Rochdale Hornets, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven, Workington Town.