2017 Challenge Cup
Duration | 9 Rounds | |||
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Number of teams | 75 | |||
Broadcast partners | BBC Sport Sky Sports | |||
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The 2017 Challenge Cup, (also known as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup[1] for sponsorship reasons) is the 116th staging of the Challenge Cup the main rugby league knockout tournament for teams in the European Super League, the British National Leagues and a number of invited amateur clubs.
The defending champions are Hull FC who beat Warrington Wolves 12–10 in the 2016 final at Wembley Stadium.[2]
The format of the competition is eight knock-out rounds followed by a final. The first two rounds are composed entirely of amateur teams. The nine winners of the second round ties are joined in round 3 by the 15 Championship 1 teams including for the first time a Canadian team, the Toronto Wolfpack. For the fourth round the 12 Championship teams are included in the draw. Starting the format introduced in 2015 competition round 5 sees four Super league teams entering the competition. These are the four teams that finished in the top four positions of the 2016 Qualifiers and are Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Centurions and Salford Red Devils. The remaining eight Super League teams join in round 6.
Round dates
Round | Dates |
---|---|
Round 1 | TBC |
Round 2 | TBC |
Round 3 | 25–26 February 2017 |
Round 4 | 18–19 March 2017 |
Round 5 | 22–23 April 2017 |
Round 6 | 13–14 May 2017 |
Quarter Finals | 17–18 June 2017 |
Semi Finals | 28–29 July 2017 |
Final | 26 August 2017 |
Source:[3] |
References
- ↑ "Challenge Cup: Ladbrokes replace Tetley's as title sponsor". BBC Sport. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ↑ "Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express (3034). 29 August 2016. p. 31.
- ↑ "The 2017 season begins here". Rugby Leaguer & League Express (3042). 24 October 2016. p. 13.