The Challenge Cup quarter-finals played out this weekend in front of what were generally disappointing crowd numbers.
After the huge attendance highs of Rivals Round, where three matches recorded sell-outs and the total combined attendance surpassed 80,000, these four Challenge Cup matches were a bump back down to earth.
Of course, cup games are not included in season ticket packages and that always impacts attendance figures and that was evident this week.
St Helens defeated Catalans Dragons on Friday night and with the visitors not a team who travel strong at all, that led to an attendance of just 6,785 which is over 11,000 less than last week’s St Helens Wigan derby and a few thousand shy of Saints’ typical Super League attendance.
No attendance has been reported for Hull KR’s 48-10 win over York Knights but it wasn’t the customary sell-out that we’ve come to expect in East Hull, whlst Saturday’s other game saw over 7,500 turn out to watch Warrington versus Leigh Leopards.
That same fixture was watched by over 11,000 last week but the huge blowout score in Super League plus the fact it was an additional fee for season ticket holders can explain the big difference in crowd numbers.
Sunday saw Wigan edge Wakefield in the most dramatic tie of the round and it was also the best-attended as 8,051 turned up, which is a very strong figure for Wakefield with only two of their four home games this season surpassing that figure.
With the semi-final venues set to be announced today, the RFL will likely be considering stadium size when making the decision given the somewhat disappointing quarter-final attendances.
Challenge Cup quarter-final attendances
St Helens 36-4 Catalans Dragons – 6,785
Hull KR 48-10 York Knights – Not given
Warrington Wolves 24-10 Leigh Leopards – 7,759
Wakefield Trinity 22-26 Wigan Warriors – 8,051
Quarter-Finals ✅#ChallengeCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eDJJbCxCqO
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) April 12, 2026
