Everything you need to know about the Challenge Cup quarter-finals
Eight teams are just two wins away from Wembley, we’ve got everything you need to know about the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, including where you can watch them on TV, how you can get tickets and when is the draw for the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Who’s in the quarter-finals?
Holders Catalans Dragons will fancy their chances of progressing to within one win of a return to Wembley, as they visit a Hull FC side licking their wounds from last weekend’s Magic Weekend humiliation to Huddersfield. The Dragons won 37-6 on a recent Super League visit to the KCOM Stadium.
Super League leaders St Helens, who lost to the Dragons in the semi-finals last season, host Wakefield, while last year’s losing finalists Warrington travel to Hull KR.
There are two Championship teams left in the competition, Bradford and Halifax, and they meet at Odsal – meaning there will be a Championship side in the semi-finals.
When are the quarter-finals?
There’s one a day across this weekend, all televised, for you to get your teeth in to.
Hull FC v Catalans Dragons (Thursday 30 May, 7.35pm, KCOM Stadium)
Hull KR v Warrington Wolves (Friday 31 May, 7.35pm, KCOM Craven Park)
St Helens v Wakefield Trinity (Saturday 1 June, 3.15pm, The Totally Wicked Stadium)
Bradford Bulls v Halifax RLFC (Sunday 2 June, 2.45pm, Odsal)
How can I watch the games?
Well, you can still get tickets to go along and watch the games live.
Hull v Catalans – £18 adults – Available online, by calling 01482 505 600 or at ticket office up to kick-off – Ticket info
Hull KR v Warrington – £20 adults / £10 Under 18s – Available online here – Ticket info
St Helens v Wakefield – £18/£21 adults / £8 Under 16s – Available online here or call 01744 455 052 – Ticket info
Bradford v Halifax – £18/£23 adults / £5 Under 16s – Available online here or call 08448 711 490
What’s the latest team news?
Catalans are boosted by the return of Sam Tomkins and Micky McIlorum, while Hull bring back Bureta Faraimo, Andre Savelio and Jez Litten in place of Joe Westerman, Masi Matongo and Kieran Buchanan. Read the team news here. The only change for Hull KR and Warrington is Joel Tomkins, who was banned for a match following an incident at Magic Weekend. Team news for the other games will land 48 hours before kick-off.
What if I can’t make it to any of the games in person?
Failing that, all four are being broadcast live on TV. The games on Thursday and Friday night are both live on Sky Sports Arena, with programming starting at 7.30pm. Saturday’s game is live on BBC One from 3pm, and Sunday’s game is live on BBC Two from 2.30pm.
When is the semi-final draw?
The draw will take place immediately after the Bradford v Halifax game on Sunday, live on BBC Two. Making the draw will be 2021 Rugby League World Cup chief executive Jon Dutton and Lindsay Impett, the event director of Vitality Netball World Cup 2019. Here’s the story.
Where will the semi-finals be played?
After some doubt over whether Bolton would be able to host the event for a second successive season, due to the financial issues affecting to the football club, but the RFL have now confirmed that they will go ahead as planned, despite having lined up an alternative just in case. The semi-finals will be part of a triple-header with the Women’s Challenge Cup final on Saturday 27 July.
What about the women’s Challenge Cup?
They are a little behind the men’s competition, their quarter-final draw will take place on Sunday at the same time as the men’s semi-final draw.
When is the 2019 Challenge Cup final?
It’s the last August bank holiday final this year, after the RFL revealed that it would be brought forward to July from 2020. It will take place on Saturday 24 August, 3pm kick-off. Tickets start at £20 and be purchased online direct from the RFL here. The inaugural 1895 Cup final will take place following the Challenge Cup final, starting at 5.30pm.
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Catalans become first ever non-British team to win Challenge Cup