Challenge Cup TV ratings provide big boost as BBC figures revealed

Saturday’s Challenge Cup final was the most watched rugby league game of the year so far, it has been confirmed. The clash between Hull KR and Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium was always likely to draw a big audience.

Rovers have been a delight to watch this season and currently sit on top of the Super League table, while Warrington have the star power required to beat anyone on their day. KR were the favourites and while they were second best for much of the contest at the national stadium, they lived up to that billing by claiming the win.

Those watching, both at Wembley and at home, were treated to an intense, passionate and fraught contest which was settled in the most dramatic way possible as Tom Davies touched down with three minutes remaining.

For KR fans, it might just have been the best way to win a game of magnitude and for Warrington supporters, it was certainly the worst way to lose one.

Hull KR v Warrington Wolves Challenge Cup TV ratings

The clash was shown live on BBC One and drew an average viewership of around a million, with its peak being 1.2 million. That’s a figure that is significantly better than 2024’s final, which drew and average of 800,000 and a peak of 900,000.

That’s certainly no mean feat and it comes in a season which has seen a new record set for a Super League game outside of Covid with Warrington Wolves’ clash with Wigan Warriors in Las Vegas attracting a peak of 340,000 on Sky Sports.

The Women’s Challenge Cup final, which saw Wigan thump St Helens to get their hands on the trophy for the first time, was shown on BBC Two. That game averaged around 250,000 viewers and that’s a similar figure to last year’s event.

🏆 Today’s @Betfred #ChallengeCup Final attendance is 63,278 – the second best since 2017!

🏟️ The official attendance for the Women’s Challenge Cup Final is 8,810

👏 Thank you for all of your support! pic.twitter.com/jIJjbgSe79

— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) June 7, 2025