After last weekend’s Magic Weekend in both Super League and the NRL, there’s still plenty of rugby league on TV this week, including both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals.
On Saturday and Sunday, you can tune in to the BBC where the women’s Challenge Cup semi-final will be played before the men’s games in a duo of double headers. Whilst the women’s games will be on the BBC Red Button and the iPlayer, the men’s games are both on terrestrial TV in prime afternoon slots.
Rugby league on TV this week as Challenge Cup semi-finals a focus point
Saturday’s line-up sees Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors in the women’s game as the Rhinos will be looking to avenge last year’s 22-0 defeat in the final to St Helens. It’s a replay of the same stage last season, where Leeds beat the Warriors 34-20 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. However, Wigan are hoping to make their first-ever final.
The men’s semi-final is Hull KR v Catalans Dragons, and both teams will be on the hunt for silverware. Rovers have been to Wembley four times since their last win in 1980, and 2023’s Golden Point 17-16 loss against Leigh Leopards was a tough one to take. Willie Peters’ side has a desire to win it all in 2025, so they will be determined to make the final. On the opposing side, it’s been seven years since they lifted the trophy in 2018, and boss Steve McNamara has shared that the Challenge Cup was a focus for his team this year.
Sunday’s fixtures see St Helens and York Valkyrie in the second women’s semi-final. Once again, it’s a repeat of last year’s semi-final on a day when St Helens secured a 32-2 victory and ended up winning the final too. York have to register a Challenge Cup final win, only making the final in 2021. However, the current league champions will want to end Saints’ domination in the competition in 2025.
That’s followed by Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards in the men’s semi-final. The Wolves lost last year’s final to Wigan Warriors and haven’t lifted the trophy since 2019. Leigh beat Hull KR in 2023, and having reached the final three times in their history, the odds could be in their favour should they make it to Wembley again.
There’s also a full programme of NRL matches this weekend, including a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday morning between leaders Canterbury Bulldogs and second-placed Canberra Raiders.
How, when and where to watch rugby league on TV this week including Challenge Cup semi-finals and NRL
Thursday 8th May
Parramatta Eels v Dolphins @ 10:05am on Watch NRL
Friday 9th May
Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans @ 9:00am on Sky Sports Action and Watch NRL
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos @ 11:00am on Watch NRL
Saturday 10th May
Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs @ 6:00am on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and Watch NRL
St George Illawarra Dragons v New Zealand Warriors @ 8:30am on Sky Sports Action and Watch NRL
North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers @ 10:35am on Watch NRL
Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors (Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final) @ 12:00pm on BBC Red Button TV and BBC iPlayer
Hull KR v Catalans Dragons (Men’s Challenge Cup semi-final) @ 2:30pm on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer
Sunday 11th May
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers @ 5:00am on Watch NRL
Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks @ 7:05am on Watch NRL
St Helens v York Valkyrie (Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final) @ 1:45pm on BBC Red Button TV and BBC iPlayer
Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards (Men’s Challenge Cup semi-final) @ 4:15pm on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer
🙌 It’s @Betfred #ChallengeCup Semi-Finals week!
🤔 Which two sides will progress to the Men’s Final? pic.twitter.com/NEJJhMCVL4
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) May 5, 2025
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