Challenge Cup Final set for amazing attendance

Some feared that without the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens at Wembley this year that the final between Leigh Leopards and Hull KR could attract a disappointing attendance.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth with plenty of fans making the journey down to London for the game and a once in a generation moment for fans of both clubs.

It is is a similar story for Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs supporters who are hoping to see their side win at Wembley and claim the 1895 Cup Final.

This will only boost the attendance further and it has been suggested that there could be over 60,000 fans there today and more than last year’s final at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.

According to some reports, Leigh is set to be empty at the weekend with thousands of fans descending onto London.

Hull KR are also set to take a huge number of fans down to London and there has been a suggestion that the attendance could be more than 63,000.

The RFL have confirmed that the game is set to be the highest attended final since 2019 when Warrington Wolves and St Helens clashed.

The appetite from both sides for the final was summed up by the send offs both sides received this week.

Thousands of fans were in attendance simply to wave their side off.

Here’s some pictures from the send off the side’s received on Thursday:

Thank you to each and everyone of you who joined us at @lsvstadium! Next stop #WemberLeigh pic.twitter.com/2ppG6MVsgA

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) August 10, 2023

Zak Hardaker was amazed by it all:

What a send off!!! Thank you to everyone who came out, can’t wait to see you all saturday 🐆 https://t.co/1j3XcKCgXH

— Zak Hardaker (@zakhardaker1) August 10, 2023

Hull KR’s send off was also fantastic:

THANK YOU Red Army 👏🙌

After an amazing send-off at @Sewell_Group Craven Park…we’re on our way to London! 🚍#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ckFHrPr6Ro

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) August 10, 2023

It is the first Challenge Cup Final without Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens since 1986.

Thus, it has been branded a generational final and funnily enough the side who lost that game in 1986 features as Hull KR look to end a wait since 1985 for a major trophy and a wait from 1980 for the Challenge Cup trophy.

Leigh’s wait has been even longer as they haven’t won at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final since 1971 though did win the 1895 Cup last year.

Thus it is a terrific story for both teams and means a lot to their fans however it has been suggested by some that without a so called ‘big team’ the final will record a poor attendance but the sheer number of fans waving both sides off today suggests it should be a great attendance.