Challenge Cup semi-final attendances as Hull KR help set stadium record

The attendance figures for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup make for impressive reading with Hull KR helping break a record.

The Robins played in the first of the men’s Challenge Cup semi-finals and they overcame a first-half scare to ease past Catalans Dragons with a 36-12 win at York Knights’ LNER Community Stadium.

Jack Broadbent scored a brace as he earned Man of the Match as Hull KR booked their place at Wembley, returning for the first time since their 2023 loss to Leigh Leopards.

Leigh were in action on Sunday against 2024 finalists Warrington Wolves but Adrian Lam’s side could not book their spot at Wembley to rematch the Robins from 2023. They lost out 21-14 to Warrington Wolves at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

Sam Burgess’ side went behind after just 59 seconds but they recovered well and led 15-4 at the break and would hold on to make it to Wembley for the second year running.

Challenge Cup Final day will see the women’s final played out between Wigan Warriors and St Helens before Hull KR face off against Warrington, with the 1895 Cup Final (TBC) rounding the games off on June 7th.

Hull KR help break stadium attendance record

The decision for York’s LNER Community Stadium to host the first semi-final was questioned given the fact it has a smaller capacity than Craven Park, which Hull KR have sold out regularly in recent months.

Therefore it was no surprise to see a stadium attendance record broken with the Robins taking around 7,000 of the 8,402 fans who turned up at the ground.

Of course, the women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals also doubled up with the men’s so some had turned out to watch Wigan Warriors hammer Leeds Rhinos before Hull KR and Catalans took to the stage.

As for Sunday’s semi-final, St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium was the venue and with both Warrington and Leigh in relatively close proximity, another strong attendance was recorded.

A crowd of 11,722 turned out meaning the semi-finals combined for a crowd of 20,124. That is slightly less than the semi-final stage from 2024 (20,416), albeit in part because the LNER Stadium simply couldn’t accommodate more fans.

The semi-final between Leigh and Warrington was the highest since the 2023 semi between Leigh and St Helens, which was played at Warrington.

Challenge Cup semi-final attendances

Hull KR 36-12 Catalans Dragons – 8,402 (LNER Community Stadium record)
Warrington Wolves 21-14 Leigh Leopards – 11,722

👏 Thanks to all the fans for travelling to the @Betfred #ChallengeCup Semi-Final at York’s LNER Community Stadium with a stadium record attendance of 8402! pic.twitter.com/9XKBiG1vYf

— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) May 10, 2025