Five alternate Challenge Cup Final venues after disappointing Wembley crowd

The Challenge Cup Final delivered a modern-era low for two English teams as just 56,383 fans turned out at Wembley, sparking debate over whether the historic competition’s showpiece event should continue at the national stadium.

It’s already been confirmed that the 2027 Challenge Cup Final will be played at Wembley with the date set as Saturday, June 5th, however, the RFL’s deal with Wembley expires beyond that.

That could offer a prime opportunity to take the Challenge Cup Final to a stadium more befitting of the recent attendance trends but there are still plenty of arguments to keep the event at the national stadium.

Wembley first hosted the Challenge Cup Final in 1929 and, for the most part, has been held there ever since, signalling the historic value of remaining at Wembley. For many, it still remains a day out with the famous walk up to the ground and picture opportunities under the arch, something that can only be captured at Wembley.

Others suggest that the growing cost of living makes it too expensive to travel whilst many critics point to the bad PR that an entirely empty top bowl of the stadium creates for the sport.

With the debate raging that the Challenge Cup Final should leave Wembley, we’ve picked out five alternates that are more befitting of the circa 55-70,000 attendances that the game has garnered in recent years.

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Alternate Challenge Cup Final venues

Old Trafford – 74,197

An obvious argument against Old Trafford would be the fact that the Grand Final is held there, so the prestige of both the Cup Final and the Grand Final could suffer. The small in-goals are also an issue.

The Emirates Stadium – 60,704

England’s 2022 World Cup semi-final was played here, with that game watched by 40,489. However, a cup final would surely fill out the Emirates, which ultimately helps create a better atmosphere and look for the sport.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – 62,850

Another London option and one that has already hosted the Challenge Cup Final, with the 2022 edition played here, watched by 51,628. The stadium itself is one of the best in England, but travel links aren’t ideal.

Hill Dickinson Stadium – 52,769

The second Ashes Test was a major success at Everton’s new ground, but for those complaining of Saturday’s attendance, the Hill Dickinson could not even support that. Plus, if it’s to become the home of Magic Weekend, then it would be another case of doubling up major events at one venue.

The Etihad Stadium – 61,740

The RFL have their base close by, and the Etihad is a good size with many fans campaigning for the Grand Final to be moved here. Again though, it’s another ground that potentially limits the capacity.

Verdict

In reality, every major stadium in the UK has issues be it travel links, costs, capacity, or pre-existing events, and whilst fans can bemoan the inability to fill out the national stadium, Wembley offers room to grow.

If the Challenge Cup moves away from Wembley then it may never return and that writes away so much history and leaves the sport limiting itself to lesser attendances