Huge problem for Challenge Cup Final as fans delayed

Fans are travelling south in their thousands as they make the rugby league pilgrimage to the Challenge Cup Final, particularly given that this year’s event is a triple header with St Helens and Leeds Rhinos contesting the women’s final, Hull KR and Leigh Leopards the men’s, and then the 1895 Cup Final between Batley Bulldogs and Halifax Panthers.

Many fans travelled early but for plenty they’ve set off today and that long drive has been affected by what is being described as a ‘stand still’ on the M1, prompting fears that some fans may not make the big game.

@derek_beaumont @LeighLeopardsRL M1 absolute stand still. Hull KR fans and Leopards all stuck. May need a delay!

— Yasmin Elizabeth (@Yazzle511) August 12, 2023

One Twitter user appealed to both Leigh Leopards and owner Derek Beaumont to consider a delay to the 3pm Challenge Cup Final.

“@derek_beaumont @LeighLeopardsRL M1 absolute stand still. Hull KR fans and Leopards all stuck. May need a delay!”

It follows earlier reports that there had been an accident on the motorways which had also heightened fears that many fans wouldn’t make it to Wembley for kick off time.

Wembley was expected to receive a huge crowd given that it was the first time Leigh had made the big game since 1971 and Rovers hadn’t made an appearance in the final since their record defeat to Leeds Rhinos in 2015.

Moreover the addition of both the women’s and 1895 Cup Final meant that the attendance could be pushing towards 80,000, something that has only been surpassed four times in the 21st century.

It will be the 80th Men’s Final at Wembley since the bold decision to take Rugby League’s showpiece occasion to the national stadium in 1929 – six years after it opened.

And now a two-year deal has been concluded to confirm the 81st and 82nd Men’s Finals will be staged at Wembley Stadium in 2024 and 2025 – as well as the second and third Women’s Finals.

Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, said:

“We are pleased to be able to confirm that Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day will be played at Wembley Stadium in each of the next two years and will be returning to an earlier position in the season in June.

“This fits with the Reimagining of Rugby League through the sport’s long-term partnership with IMG, as we work towards a restructured calendar, and also maintain the double header of Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup Finals given the growth potential of the Women’s and Girls’ game.

“This will be an historic weekend for the sport’s longest-established showpiece, as for the first time the athletes of Women’s Rugby League take their rightful place on the Wembley stage alongside the men – with both Finals given a national platform on BBC Sport.

“With a fresh feel to the Men’s Final between two teams who have waited a long time since their single Wembley Challenge Cup wins in 1971 and 1980, and two new finalists in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, there is a real mood of positivity going into the weekend, as Rugby League plays its part in the centenary celebrations for Wembley Stadium.”

Paul Smyth, Head of Operations at Wembley Stadium, added:

“We are delighted to host Rugby League’s Challenge Cup Finals Day here at Wembley Stadium for another two years.

“Challenge Cup Final day is always one of the great days in the calendar and we are proud to have hosted it here at Wembley since 1929. We look forward to putting on more world-class finals over the next few years.”