2022 Challenge Cup
Duration9 rounds[1]
Number of teams63
Highest attendance51,628
(Final – 28 May 2022)
Lowest attendance130
London Skolars vs Hunslet Club Parkside (12 February 2022)
Average attendance2,289
Aggregate attendance141,953
Broadcast partners
WinnersWigan Warriors (20th title)
Runners-upHuddersfield Giants
Biggest home winBatley Bulldogs 66–6 Royal Navy
(27 February 2022)
Biggest away winWest Wales Raiders 0–96 Swinton Lions
(30 January 2022)
Lance Todd Trophy Chris McQueen (Huddersfield Giants)
Top point-scorer(s)Dan Abram (24)
Top try-scorer(s)Jordan Gibson (5)

The 2022 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 121st edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It started on 15 January 2022 and ended, with the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 28 May.[2]

St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, but they were eliminated in the semi-final by Wigan Warriors, who went on to win the Final, by narrowly defeating Huddersfield Giants 16-14.

Background

The competition started on 14 January and concluded with the final on 28 May. Traditionally the Challenge Cup final is held at Wembley Stadium in London. Due to scheduling conflicts between Wembley and the RFL due to a BBC request to play the final earlier in the year in May, it was announced that the 2022 Challenge Cup Final would be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.[3] The RFL stated that the final would return to Wembley in 2023.[4] The RFL 1895 Cup would also be played for alongside the Challenge Cup.[5]

All professional RFL member clubs were invited to participate as well as a number of invited amateur teams including teams representing the British Armed forces and police forces. This year it was announced that the Super League's Toulouse Olympique, who are not members of the RFL but are invited to take part in the Challenge Cup, had declined their invitation and would not participate.[2] Newly formed Cornwall R.L.F.C. who played in RFL League 1 also decided not to enter the competition.[6]

St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, however, they were eliminated in the semi final, narrowly losing to Wigan Warriors 18–20.

A new television deal with the BBC came into effect this year, with coverage of more matches of later rounds as well as providing digital coverage of earlier rounds.[7] The Sportsman continued its involvement in streaming games that started in 2021 and the RFL streamed some matches on its own streaming service, Our League.[8] Premier Sports also broadcast a number of cup game as part of the broadcast deal signed with the RFL in October 2021.[9]

Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format
Round Date Clubs involved this round Winners from previous round New entries this round Leagues entering at this round
Round 1 14–16 January 28 None 28 28 UK based community league teams
Round 2 29–30 January 24 14 10 10 teams from League One[a]
Round 3 12–13 February 12 12 None
Round 4 26–28 February 20 6 14 All teams from the Championship
Round 5 12–14 March 10 10 None
Round 6 25–27 March 16 5 11 11 teams from the Super League[b]
Quarter-finals 8–10 April 8 8 None None
Semi-finals 7 May 4 4
Final 28 May 2 2

First round

The draw for the first round was made at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and ties were played over the weekend of 14–16 January 2022.[10]

Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Upholland Bears 00–60 Royal Navy 14 January 2022, 19:00 Brynglas Field, Pyle K. Young —[c]
Orrell St James 10–18 British Army 15 January 2022, 12:30 Bankes Avenue, Orrell M. Lynn
London Chargers 22–16 Ellenborough Rangers 15 January 2022, 13:00 Dukes Meadows, Chiswick W. Gilder
West Hull 46–60 Upton 15 January 2022, 13:30 North Road, Hull J. Covell-Wood
Edinburgh Eagles 24–38 York Acorn 15 January 2022, 13:30 Royal High School, Edinburgh L. Fenton
Thornhill Trojans 24–60 Royal Air Force 15 January 2022, 13:30 Overthorpe Park, Thornhill S. Ellis
Featherstone Lions 06–56 Hunslet Club Parkside 15 January 2022, 14:00 Millpond Stadium, Featherstone R. Stansfield
Jarrow Vikings 10–52 Wests Warriors 15 January 2022, 14:00 Kingston Park, Newcastle T. Gibbs
Lock Lane 18–10 Thatto Heath Crusaders 15 January 2022, 14:00 Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford F. Lincoln
Siddal 28–00 Great Britain Police 15 January 2022, 14:00 Exley Lane, Halifax R. Johnson
Rochdale Mayfield 36–22 Wigan St Pats 15 January 2022, 14:15 Mayfield Sports Centre, Rochdale A. Billington
Leigh Miners Rangers 22–20 Milford 15 January 2022, 14:30 Twist Lane, Leigh R. Cox
Galway Tribesmen 10–36 Pilkington Recs 15 January 2022, 14:30 Ruskin Drive, St Helens[d] D. Arnold
Bentley 16–22 Stanningley 16 January 2022, 14:00 Brunel Rd, Cusworth C. Beevers
Source:[12]

Second round

The draw for the second round was made at the same time at the first. Ties were played over the weekend of 29–30 January 2022. This round sees sides from the League 1 enter.[10]

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
York Acorn 28–10 Wests Warriors 29 January 2022, 13:30 Thanet Road A. Johnson 250
British Army 0010–14[e] Royal Navy 29 January 2022, 14:00 Aldershot Military Stadium M. Lynn 500
Hunslet Club Parkside 22–12 Stanningley 29 January 2022, 14:00 Hillidge Road M. Clayton 550
West Hull 16–18 Rochdale Mayfield 29 January 2022, 14:00 West Hull Community Park A. Sweet 400
Leigh Miners Rangers 08–40 North Wales Crusaders 29 January 2022, 14:30 Twist Lane K. Moore —[f]
Pilkington Recs 10–32 Siddal 29 January 2022, 14:30 Ruskin Drive M. Mannifield 300
London Skolars 40–22 London Chargers 29 January 2022, 15:30 New River Stadium M. Rossleigh 280
Rochdale Hornets 36–16 Midlands Hurricanes 30 January 2022, 13:00 Spotland Stadium L. Rush 688
Doncaster 24–60 Thornhill 30 January 2022, 15:00 Keepmoat Stadium L. Bland 618
Hunslet 22–60 Keighley Cougars 30 January 2022, 15:00 South Leeds Stadium C. Worsley 637
West Wales Raiders 00–96 Swinton Lions 30 January 2022, 15:00 Stebonheath Park J. Jones 312
Oldham 12–22 Lock Lane 30 January 2022, 18:00 Whitebank Stadium B. Milligan 361
Source:[13]

Third round

The draw for the third round was made on 1 February.[14] Ties were played over the weekend of 12–13 February 2022.

Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Rochdale Mayfield 00–20 Doncaster 12 February 2022, 14:00 Mayfield Sports Centre, Rochdale B. Milligan 420
Lock Lane 12–28 Rochdale Hornets 12 February 2022, 14:30 Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford M. Mannifield 500
London Skolars 06–28 Hunslet Club Parkside 12 February 2022, 15:30 New River Stadium J. Jones 130
Royal Navy 22–80 York Acorn 12 February 2022, 16:00 United Services Recreation Ground M. Rossleigh 300
Hunslet 30–40 Siddal 13 February 2022, 13:00 South Leeds Stadium A. Sweet 651
Swinton Lions 14–20 North Wales Crusaders 13 February 2022, 15:00 Heywood Road L. Rush 516
Source:[15]

Fourth round

The draw for the fourth round was made at the same time at the third.[14] Ties were played over the weekend of 26–28 February 2022. This round saw sides from the Championship enter.

Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
North Wales Crusaders 30–80 Hunslet 26 February 2022; 14:00 Paton Field M. Smaill 452
Batley Bulldogs 66–60 Royal Navy 27 February 2022; 13:00 Mount Pleasant L. Rush 1,271
Doncaster 00–60 Whitehaven 27 February 2022; 14:00 Keepmoat Stadium M. Rossleigh 544
Hunslet Club Parkside 20–40 Sheffield Eagles 27 February 2022; 14:00 South Leeds Stadium B. Milligan 450
Workington Town 26–12 Dewsbury Rams 27 February 2022; 14:00 Derwent Park B. Thaler 872
Halifax Panthers 16–29 Featherstone Rovers 27 February 2022; 15:00 The Mbi Shay M. Griffiths 1,625
London Broncos 08–34 Bradford Bulls 27 February 2022; 15:00 Plough Lane N. Bennett 551
Rochdale Hornets 12–38 Barrow Raiders 27 February 2022; 15:00 Spotland Stadium C. Worsley 515
York City Knights 42–13 Newcastle Thunder 27 February 2022; 15:00 York Community Stadium S. Mikalauskas 1,221
Leigh Centurions 38–40 Widnes Vikings 28 February 2022; 19:45 Leigh Sports Village J. Child 2,567
Source:[16]

Fifth round

The draw for the fifth round was made on 28 February at the conclusion of the tie between Leigh and Widnes. Ties were played over the weekend of 12–14 March 2022.[17]

Challenge Cup round 5 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
North Wales Crusaders 30–50 Sheffield Eagles 12 March 2022, 13:30 Eirias Stadium L. Rush 330
Barrow Raiders 32–18 Workington Town 13 March 2022, 13:00 Craven Park B. Thaler 1,825
Batley Bulldogs 20–54 Featherstone Rovers 13 March 2022, 15:00 Mount Pleasant J. Vella 1,003
Whitehaven 38–12 York City Knights 13 March 2022, 15:00 Recreation Ground A. Moore 798
Bradford Bulls 16–20 Leigh Centurions 14 March 2022, 19:45 Odsal Stadium M. Griffiths 1,221
Source:[18]

Sixth round

The draw for the sixth round was made on 14 March 2022, at Elland Road, Leeds. Ties were played over the weekend of 25–27 March 2022.[19]

Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Wigan Warriors 20–00 Salford Red Devils 25 March 2022, 19:35 DW Stadium R. Hicks 6,005
Sheffield Eagles 12–58 Hull FC 26 March 2022, 14:00 Post Office Road[g] J. Child 1,039
Whitehaven 04–46 St Helens Recreation Ground T. Grant 4,869
Catalans Dragons 27–14 Featherstone Rovers 26 March 2022, 14:30 Stade Gilbert Brutus C. Kendall 3,624
Hull KR 24–18 Leigh Centurions 26 March 2022, 15:00 Craven Park A. Moore 3,088
Leeds Rhinos 16–40 Castleford Tigers 26 March 2022, 16:30 Headingley L. Moore 5,122
Warrington Wolves 12–16 Wakefield Trinity 27 March 2022, 14:00 Halliwell Jones Stadium J. Smith 2,627
Barrow Raiders 16–30 Huddersfield Giants 27 March 2022, 16:30 Craven Park M. Griffiths 3,135
Source:[21]

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made during the half-time broadcast of the sixth-round match between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers. The draw was hosted by Tanya Arnold, and the teams were drawn by Robbie Hunter-Paul, and John Kear. Ties were played over the weekend of 8–10 April 2022.[22]

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Hull KR 34–10 Castleford Tigers 8 April 2022, 19:45 Hull College Craven Park R. Hicks
Catalans Dragons 20–36 St Helens 9 April 2022, 14:30 Stade Gilbert Brutus C. Kendall 8,624
Huddersfield Giants 24–16 Hull FC 9 April 2022, 17:00 John Smiths Stadium L. Moore 3,637
Wakefield Trinity 06–36 Wigan Warriors 10 April 2022, 14:30 Be Well Support Stadium J. Child 3,756
Source:[23]

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was made on 10 April. The ties were both played at Elland Road, Leeds on 7 May. They formed a triple-header with the final of the 2022 Women's Challenge Cup.

Team 1 Score Team 2 Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Wigan Warriors 20–18 St Helens 7 May 2022, 14:30 Elland Road J. Child 22,141
Huddersfield Giants 25–40 Hull KR 7 May 2022, 17:00 L. Moore
Source:

Final

Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final

Main article: 2022 Challenge Cup Final

The final of the 2022 Challenge Cup took place on 28 May at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Wigan Warriors 16–14 Huddersfield Giants 28 May 2022, 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium James Child 51,628
Source:

Huddersfield second row forward, Chris McQueen was named winner of the Lance Todd Trophy.

Broadcast matches

Broadcast matches
Round Match Date Broadcast method
1st Orrell St James v British Army 15 January 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer[24]
Rochdale Mayfield v Wigan St Patricks Streamed live on The Sportsman[25]
Bentley v Stanningley 16 January 2022 Streamed live on Our League[26]
2nd British Army v Royal Navy 29 January 2022 Streamed live on The Sportsman[27]
Rochdale Hornets v Midlands Hurricanes 30 January 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and on BBC iPlayer[24]
Oldham v Lock Lane Streamed live on Our League[27]
3rd Lock Lane v Rochdale Hornets 12 February 2022 Streamed live on The Sportsman[28]
Royal Navy v York Acorn Streamed live on Our League[28]
Hunslet v Siddal 13 February 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer[29]
4th Batley Bulldogs v Royal Navy 27 February 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Sport and on BBC iPlayer[30]
York City Knights v Newcastle Thunder Streamed live on The Sportsman[30]
Leigh Centurions v Widnes Vikings 28 February 2022 Broadcast live on Premier Sports[30]
5th North Wales Crusaders v Sheffield Eagles 12 March 2022 Streamed live on Our League[31]
Barrow Raiders v Workington Town 13 March 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Sport and on BBC iPlayer[32]
Batley Bulldogs v Featherstone Rovers Streamed live on The Sportsman
Bradford Bulls v Leigh Centurions 14 March 2022 Broadcast live on Premier Sports[33]
6th Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils 25 March 2022 Streamed live on Premier Sports[34]
Whitehaven v St Helens 26 March 2022 Streamed live on The Sportsman[34]
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers Broadcast live on BBC Two[34]
Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity 27 March 2022 Streamed live on Premier Sports[34]
Barrow Raiders v Huddersfield Giants Broadcast live on BBC Two[34]
QF Hull KR v Castleford Tigers 8 April 2022 Streamed live on Premier Sports[35]
Catalans Dragons v St Helens 9 April 2022 Broadcast live on BBC One[35]
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC Streamed live on Premier Sports[35]
Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors 10 April 2022 Broadcast live on BBC Two[35]
SF Wigan Warriors v St Helens 7 May 2022 Broadcast live on BBC One[36]
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants Broadcast live on BBC Two[36]
F Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants 28 May 2022 Broadcast live on BBC One

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The eleventh League 1 team, Cornwall, declined to take part in the competition
  2. ^ The twelfth SL team, Toulouse, declined to take part in the competition
  3. ^ Attendances for games involving only community clubs are not always recorded
  4. ^ Although Galway were drawn at home, under the club's terms of entry into the competition, the game was played at Pilkington Recs.[11]
  5. ^ After golden point extra time.
  6. ^ Attendances for games involving community clubs are not always recorded
  7. ^ Match to be played at Featherstone due to building works at Sheffield's home ground.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two". Sky Sports. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Challenge Cup 2022 details with one Super League club not participating". Examiner Live. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Challenge Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host showpiece instead of Wembley next year | Rugby League News". Sky Sports. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Challenge Cup final to move from Wembley to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium". BBC Sport. 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  5. ^ "Betfred extend Challenge Cup sponsorship to include Finals at Tottenham and Wembley". Rugby Football League. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Toulouse Olympique and Cornwall opt out of Challenge Cup as amateur entrants revealed". TotalRL.com. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  7. ^ "BBC Sport confirm enhanced Challenge Cup coverage from 2022". Warrington Guardian. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ McAllister, Josh (12 January 2022). "Three Challenge Cup fixtures to be shown live this weekend". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Betfred Championship strikes two-year broadcast deal with Premier Sports". www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two". Sky Sports. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Galway Tribesmen relishing Challenge Cup visit to St Helens". www.sthelensreporter.co.uk. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Challenge Cup Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3311. 17 January 2022. p. 23.
  13. ^ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3313. 31 January 2022. p. 35.
  14. ^ a b Ibbetson, Stephen (1 February 2022). "Featherstone Rovers face Halifax Panthers as Challenge Cup third and fourth round draws made". TotalRL.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3315. 14 February 2022. p. 36.
  16. ^ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3317. 28 February 2022. p. 35.
  17. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (28 February 2022). "Draw made for the fifth round of the Challenge Cup". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Five". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3319. 14 March 2022. p. 31.
  19. ^ Darbyshire, Drew. "Draw made for the sixth round of the Challenge Cup". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  20. ^ McAllister, Josh (17 March 2022). "Sheffield Eagles find stadium for sixth round Challenge Cup tie". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  21. ^ McAllister, Josh (28 March 2022). "In numbers: Challenge Cup sixth round attendances". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Catalans to face Saints in Challenge Cup Quarter-final". Total RL. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup:Quarter-finals". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3323. 11 April 2022. p. 35.
  24. ^ a b "Challenge Cup 2022: Orrell St James v British Army kicks off BBC live stream coverage". BBC Sport. 5 January 2022.
  25. ^ Ibbetson, Stephen (12 January 2022). "Broadcast deal agreed for League 1 and Women's Super League". TotalRL.com | Rugby League Express | Rugby League World. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  26. ^ McAllister, Josh (9 January 2022). "Our League confirm round one Challenge Cup coverage". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  27. ^ a b "The Sportsman To Broadcast Historic Army vs Navy Betfred Challenge Cup Clash". The Sportsman. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round schedule and coverage confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  29. ^ Gordon, James (4 February 2022). "BBC to show Challenge Cup third round tie". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  30. ^ a b c "Betfred Challenge Cup round 4 - live coverage confirmed". rugby-league.com. RFL. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Crusaders vs Eagles - Challenge Cup R5 info". Sheffield Eagles. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  32. ^ "BBC Sport to show Cumbrian derby in Round 5 of the Betfred Challenge Cup". rugby-league.com. RFL. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  33. ^ Gordon, James (2 March 2022). "Televised Challenge Cup fifth round tie confirmed". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  34. ^ a b c d e "Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth round televised ties confirmed". rugby-league.com. RFL. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  35. ^ a b c d "Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-final Broadcast Details Confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Broadcast Details Confirmed for BetFred Challenge Cup Triple Header". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
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