Challenge Cup - Current Structure

Current Structure

The modern Challenge Cup has 7 rounds prior to the final. Teams are seeded, entering at different stages. The precise format has altered slightly from year to year, however the basic format is as follows:

  • Preliminary Round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom will be split into two pools.
  • First round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom. Most of the teams are English and affiliated to BARLA. In 2008 the 54 teams entering at this stage are as follows:
    • all 38 teams from the National Conference League
    • the winners of the five major regional BARLA leagues
    • the British Army
    • the Royal Navy
    • the Royal Air Force
    • the university champions – Leeds Metropolitan University
    • the Student Rugby League champions
    • six representatives of the Rugby League Conference (including one each from Scotland and Wales)
  • Second round: The twenty seven first round winners are joined by a Russian team.
  • Third round: A further three French sides, and the twenty one semi-professional British clubs from the Rugby League National Leagues enter the draw with the fourteen winners from the second round.
  • Fourth round: The fourteen Super League teams join the competition with the eighteen third round winners.
  • Fifth round: Last 16
  • Quarter Finals: Last eight
  • Semi Finals: (played at neutral venues)
  • Final

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