The first Challenge Cup draw of the season takes place on Monday evening as the start of the competition draws closer. The Challenge Cup continues to provide some of the most exciting moments of the rugby league season and it will be taking on a slightly different look this season.
With amateur teams from across the country entering in the first round of the competition, they will have the opportunity to play against a professional outfit should they make their way through to round two. Every Championship and League One side, barring Toulouse Olympique will enter in the second round before Super League sides come into the competition in round three.
All three rounds will be played before the start of the league season, with clubs playing competitive action as early as mid-January. With the Challenge Cup final being played at Wembley Stadium on June 7, the competition will feature heavily across the opening half of the campaign and it gets started on Monday.
So, ahead of the Challenge Cup draws, here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Challenge Cup draw?
The draw will take place on Monday, December 2, with coverage starting at 6.30pm. Two Super League players will be conducting the draw, with Man of Steel Mikey Lewis and Max Jowitt taking on the honours.
Goole Vikings head coach Scott Taylor will also be in attendance as the Vikings await their first ever competitive tie.
Where is the draw taking place?
In honour of Goole’s acceptance into League One, the RFL are taking the draw to the East Yorkshire town. It will be held at the RaisE Business Centre in Goole, with the Vikings celebrating the presence of the competition in Goole by taking the Challenge Cup on a tour of local schools.
How can I watch the draw?
The draws for rounds one and two of the Cup will be available to watch on the BBC’s platforms through the iPlayer or the BBC Sport website and app.
When will rounds one and two be played?
The first round of the Challenge Cup will be played over the weekend of January 11-12. The second round will take place two weeks later, with Championship and League One clubs set to play their first competitive games of the season on the weekend of January 25-26.
York Knights will be given an exception as they are due to travel to Amsterdam to take on Hull KR the same weekend. Their game is expected to be played at a later date.
What teams will be involved?
The first round will be made up of amateur teams including sides from the armed forces, Cumberland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Harry Jepson Trophy winners Telford Raiders. There are 15 teams from the National Conference League also involved.
As mentioned above, every lower league team but Toulouse will enter in round two, giving community sides the chance of a big draw at the likes of London Broncos or Bradford Bulls.
What are the ball numbers?
Round One draw
1. British Army
2. RAF
3. Royal Navy
4. Maryport
5. GB Police
6. Longhorns
7. Telford Raiders
8. Crossfield
9. Dawsbury Moor
10. Hunslet ARLFC
11. Ince Rose Bridge
12. Leigh Miners Rangers
13. Lock Lane
14. Oulton Raiders
15. Rochdale Mayfield
16. Siddal
17. Thatto Heath
18. Waterhead Warriors
19. Wath Brow Hornets
20. West Bowling
21. West Hull
22. York Acorn
23. Blackbrook
24. Haresfinch
25. Orrell St James
26. Mirfield
27. Ediburgh Eagles
28. Eastern Rhinos
29. Hammersmith Hills Hoists
30. London Chargers
31. Wests Warriors
32. Aberavon Fighting Irish
33. Doncaster Toll Bar
34. Stanley Rangers
Round Two draw
1. Barrow Raiders
2. Batley Bulldogs
3. Bradford Bulls
4. Cornwall
5. Dewsbury Rams
6. Doncaster
7. Featherstone Rovers
8. Goole Vikings
9. Halifax Panthers
10. Hunslet RLFC
11. Keighley Cougars
12. London Broncos
13. Midlands Hurricanes
14. Newcastle Thunder
15. North Wales Crusaders
16. Oldham
17. Rochdale Hornets
18. Sheffield Eagles
19. Swinton Lions
20. Whitehaven
21. Widnes Vikings
22. Workington
23. York Knights
24-40. First round winners
Rugby League News
Super League legend Adrian Morley lands new role in the sport
