The Challenge Cup Third Round will take place this week, and it sees teams from Super League battle lower league opposition, some of which, are for the first time ever.
The likes of Bradford Bulls and London Broncos faced off last season, but other ties will put together two clubs for the first time in history.
With that in mind, we have gone back to find the last time the fixtures in the Challenge Cup Third Round took place, and have ranked them by how recent they occurred.
Stats have been taken from Rugby League Project and are accurate at time of writing.
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When the Challenge Cup Third Round fixtures last took place
Hull KR v Lock Lane – Never
The community side have faced the likes of Halifax, Doncaster, Wigan and Hull FC in their history, but it will be the first time they take on the Robins, in what is set to be a monumental day for the club.
Halifax Panthers v Goole Vikings – Never
Goole’s inclusion into the league system last year means that this fixture will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.
London Broncos v Bradford Bulls – September 2025
The most recent meeting between the Broncos and Bulls came in the closing stages of the 2025 regular Championship season.
Bradford earned a 34-24 victory that day, with now-Super League players Joe Keyes, Guy Armitage, Waqa Blake and Luke Hooley getting on the scoresheet.
Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes – August 2025
The Cougars survived a second-half comeback from the Hurricanes in the two’s last meeting back in the summer of 2025. Keighley were 22-4 up at half-time, but only managed to win 24-22.
Salford RLFC vs Hull FC – August 2025
In what was an emotional contest for a number of reasons, none more so than the overarching financial issues Salford were going through at the time.
The post-match huddle between the two sides after FC had won 80-6 were some of the most important and memorable scenes of the season.
Barrow Raiders v York Knights – July 2025
Barrow were York’s 12th victim in their run of 20 consecutive wins last season. Mark Applegarth’s side secured a 26-12 win, as now-Hull FC man Connor Bailey got on the scoresheet.
Hunslet RLFC v Huddersfield Giants – February 2025
The pair played each other at this stage of the Challenge Cup last season. However, the Giants would prove too strong and take home a 34-6 victory.
Swinton Lions v Wakefield Trinity – September 2024
A part of Wakefield’s dominant Championship season, Swinton fell to a 60-0 defeat to Daryl Powell’s side, something they will be hoping to avoid this weekend.
Oldham RLFC vs Dewsbury Rams – June 2023
Veteran Paul Sykes, who has continued he will carry on with Dewsbury in 2026, helped the Rams get the win over the Roughyeds, as he scored 12 of the side’s 20 points that afternoon.
Widnes Vikings v Leeds Rhinos – July 2018
Leeds will be hoping for a similar result to the one that occurred the last time these two met. Tries from Joel Moon, Jack Walker and the Briscoe brothers helped the Rhinos to a 34-0 win that day
Batley Bulldogs v Catalans Dragons – May 2016
This weekend marks the third meeting between Batley and Catalans, and will be the first in just under a decade. The Dragons travelled to the Fox’s Biscuit’s Stadium and scored 40 points to Batley’s four, making them worthy winners.
Only Julian Bousquet is still at the club from the 17 players who featured that day.
North Wales Crusaders v Leigh Leopards – September 2014
The Crusaders are set for a record crowd when they welcome the Leopards, but you have to go back 12 seasons for the two club’s last meeting.
The then-Centurions were 28-16 winners that day, as the now-Salford CEO Ryan Brierley crossed for two tries.
Doncaster v Castleford Tigers – March 2002
The Dons meet the Tigers for the first time in 24 years, and the last time they met, the club still used the Dragons moniker.
Castleford were winners that day, and the victory sent them through to the Challenge Cup semi-final, where they met Wigan Warriors.
Sheffield Eagles v Warrington Wolves – July 1999
The last time the Wolves faced the Eagles was way back in 1999, where Daryl Van De Velde was boss of the club.
A 21-year-old Lee Briers got on the scoresheet that day, as did Toa Kohe-Love, who scored a hat-trick.
Workington Town v St Helens – June 1996
Going all the way back to the first ever Super League season, St Helens showed their class against the Cumbrian outfit, and secured a 60-16 victory 30 years ago this year.
The pair will meet again on Friday night, in what is the Red Vee’s second trip to Cumbria in five years, after drawing Whitehaven in 2022.
Rochdale Hornets v Wigan Warriors – Dec 1994
The final tie pre-dates the Super League era, and despite the pair being fairly close in terms of Geography, their history of fixtures has had a long sabbatical.
However, the two will face off again this weekend, ending the 31-year drought, and Kris Radlinski, who played in this game and scored a hat-trick, will now be watching on from the stands he oversees his side as CEO.
