This week sees the draw for the fourth round of the Challenge Cup, following an exciting third round of fixtures last weekend.
The format of the 2025 Challenge Cup might cause some division amongst fans but it does feel like the magic of the Cup is there again.
The third round saw four community clubs still in the draw, with three of them facing Super League opposition.
York Acorn, West Hull and Wests Warriors, along with Ince Rose Bridge, all lost to tough opposition but all four had a positive experience playing quality sides.
The Super League clubs, Hull FC, St Helens and Leeds Rhinos, involved in the three above fixtures all spoke highly of their experiences.
The only Super League side to fall was Castleford Tigers, losing 18-16 to a determined Bradford Bulls side.
There were record attendances for West Hull v St Helens with an estimated 5,000 fans and York City Knights v Hull KR with a crowd of 5,369.
Midlands Hurricanes’ game against Salford also attracted their biggest crowd as well as Whitehaven v Warrington and Workington v Leigh.
The format for the 2026 competition remains undecided as clubs hold talks with the RFL.
The Challenge Cup fourth round draw should give some Championship sides a chance to test themselves against Super League opposition.
When is the fourth round draw?
The draw will be held on Saturday 15th February at around 6.15 pm. It’s due to be shown at half-time of the Super League round 1 game between St Helens and Salford, live on BBC2. The game kicks off at 5.30 pm at the Totally Wicked Stadium, where the draw will also be held.
Doing the fourth round draw will be Lance Todd Trophy winner Robbie Hunter-Paul and two-time Man of Steel winner Paul Sculthorpe.
The draw consists of 11 Super League teams and five Championship teams, with Castleford being the only Super League not making it into the fourth round.
These eight games will be played on the weekend of 14-16th March, with two ties being broadcast live, one on the BBC and one via The Sportsman.
2025 Challenge Cup fourth round draw – ball numbers
1 – Batley Bulldogs
2 – Bradford Bulls
3 – Catalans Dragons
4 – Featherstone Rovers
5 – Huddersfield Giants
6 – Hull FC
7 – Hull KR
8 – Leeds Rhinos
9 – Leigh Leopards
10 – Oldham
11 – Salford Red Devils
12 – St Helens
13 – Wakefield Trinity
14 – Warrington Wolves
15 – Widnes Vikings
16 – Wigan Warriors
