List of Challenge Cup finals
The Challenge Cup of Rugby league was instituted in the 1896–97 and the final was contested between Batley and St. Helens at Headingley, Leeds. In the seasons during the Second World War the final was played over two legs, with the aggregate score being used. The final was played at many neutral venues up to and including 1928 after which it was mostly played at Wembley Stadium until 1939 just prior to the Second World War apart from 1932 when it was switched to Central Park, Wigan. In the war years, apart from 1940, it was played at various venues between 1941–45 after which it returned to Wembley in 1946 when the final permently became a Wembley final.
In 1909–10 Leeds and Hull F.C. drew 7–7 for the first time in a final at Huddersfield and instead of playing golden point like draws in earlier rounds are sent to, it was sent to a replay which Leeds won. There have been 3 replays, the latest being 1981–82 at Elland Road between Hull F.C. and Widnes. In 2015 Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers 50–0 in the biggest win in Challenge Cup history.
Also Hull F.C. won it 2 years in a row;
2016 and
2017.
List of Finals
Results by club
Venues
Current venue
Former venues
The Challenge Cup final has been held at 11 neutral venues.Venue | Location | Capacity |
Old Wembley | London | 82,000 |
Twickenham | London | 82,000 |
Millennium Stadium | Cardiff, Wales | 74,500 |
Murrayfield | Edinburgh, Scotland | 67,144 |
Athletic Grounds | Rochdale, Greater Manchester | 41,831 |
Fartown | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire | 35,000 |
Thrum Hall | Halifax, West Yorkshire | 29,000 |
Watersheddings | Oldham, Greater Manchester | 28,000 |
Odsal | Bradford, West Yorkshire | 27,500 |
The Cliff | Broughton, Salford, Greater Manchester | 25,000 |
Headingley | Leeds, West Yorkshire | 21,500 |
Wheater's Field | Broughton, Salford, Greater Manchester | 20,000 |
Central Park | Wigan, Greater Manchester | 18,000 |
Fallowfield | Manchester, Greater Manchester | 15,000 |
Belle Vue | Wakefield, West Yorkshire | 12,600 |
The Willows | Weaste, Salford, Greater Manchester | 11,363 |
Crown Flatt old ground | Dewsbury, West Yorkshire | 10,000 |
Replay venues
In the event of a draw a replay will be played at a neutral venue. There have been three replays.Year | Venue | Location | Capacity |
1909-10 | Fartown | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire | 35,000 |
1953-54 | Odsal | Bradford, West Yorkshire | 27,500 |
1981-82 | Elland Road | Leeds, West Yorkshire | 39,000 |