
After a disrupted Round One, the second round of the Challenge Cup is officially confirmed and three games have been selected to be broadcast.
Round One concluded this weekend despite the fact it had been slated for a week prior, however, the cold weather meant just three of the 17 first round games could be played when initially scheduled.
The remaining 14 took place this weekend and threw up some fascinating games, particularly the two broadcast fixtures with the BBC showcasing Waterhead Warriors defeating Leigh Miners Rangers in golden point, whilst the Sportsman broadcast Orrell St James just fall short in their comeback against Thatto Heath Crusaders.
Whilst we already knew the draw for Round Two of the Challenge Cup with the ties made back in December by Man of Steel Mikey Lewis and Championship Player of the Year Max Jowitt, we now know when and where those 20 games will be played.
Three of those 20 will be broadcast with each of the BBC and the Sportsman YouTube channel covering matches, whilst the Royal Navy’s clash with Workington Town will also be shown by the British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS).
Challenge Cup Round Two broadcast details confirmed
👇 @Betfred #ChallengeCup action coming your way in Round 2!
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 21, 2025
The first of the broadcast games sees the newest professional side, Goole Vikings, travel to face London Broncos in what was a fairytale draw for Scott Taylor’s side.
Goole have entered League One after frequenting the amateur game and they have managed to draw a team who have just been relegated from Super League and still have plenty of that quality on show.
That fixture will be played at Rosslyn Park RFC at 12:30 with coverage on the BBC iPlayer, Red Button and the BBC Sport website with many expected to tune in for the Vikings’ first-ever competitive match since joining League One.
As referenced, the Royal Navy take on Workington with that game set kick off at 1pm and be aired by the BFBS. The clash between the British Army and the RAF drew over 15,000 viewers this past weekend on the same channels.
We will have to wait a week for the third and final broadcast game with York Knights’ visit to Cougar Park to face Keighley pushed back until Sunday, February 2nd. That’s on account of the Knights facing Hull KR in the Amsterdam Challenge this weekend.
Once York return, they will travel to face League One Keighley with that game aired on the Sportsman YouTube channel at 3pm.
For 12 of the 20 teams who progress into Round Three, Super League opposition await.
We’ve listed the full Round Two Challenge Cup schedule below. Games are played at the home side’s ground unless otherwise stated.
Saturday, January 25th
London Broncos v Goole Vikings (Rosslyn Park RFC) @ 12:30 pm – live on BBC Sport
Dewsbury Moor v Dewsbury Rams (Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, Batley) @ 2 pm
Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull @ 2 pm
Lock Lane v Hunslet RLFC @ 2 pm
Waterhead Warriors v Featherstone Rovers (Millennium Stadium, Featherstone) @ 2 pm
Wests Warriors v British Army (Wasps RFC) @ 2 pm
Whitehaven v Swinton Lions @ 3 pm
York Acorn v Oulton Raiders @ 2 pm
Sunday, January 26th
Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield @ 12:30 pm
Royal Navy v Workington Town (United Services Sports Ground, Portsmouth) @ 1 pm – live on BFBS
Blackbrook vs Ince Rose Bridge @ 2 pm
Midlands Hurricanes v Siddal @ 2 pm
Barrow Raiders v Crosfields @ 2 pm
Bradford Bulls v Doncaster @ 2 pm
Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders @ 2 pm
Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath Crusaders @ 2 pm
Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs (Blaydon RUFC) @ 2 pm
Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings @ 2 pm
Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling @ 2 pm
Sunday, February 2nd
Keighley Cougars v York Knights @ 3 pm – live on The Sportsman YouTube
Details for the Round Three Challenge Cup draw can be found here
