Hull KR to face Yorkshire minnows in Challenge Cup
Hull KR are the reigning holders of the Challenge Cup, having beaten Warrington Wolves in the 2025 final
- Published
Challenge Cup holders Hull KR will visit Castleford Lock Lane or Brighouse when they begin their title defence in the third round stage of the 2026 competition.
The Robins beat Warrington Wolves in last season's Wembley final to end a 45-year wait to regain the trophy - the first part of a historic treble under Willie Peters.
Other than newly-promoted Toulouse Olympique - who have declined participation - 13 of the 14 Super League sides enter the competition at the third-round stage.
As pre-determined, all top-flight sides are away to lower-league opposition.
The second-round fixtures will take place on the weekend of 24 and 25 January with the third-round stage commencing on the weekend of 6 to 8 February.
This year's men's final will take place on 30 May at Wembley as part of a double header with the women's final.
Warrington, beaten finalists the past two years, will take on the winner of an all-Championship second-round tie between Sheffield Eagles and Whitehaven.
Wigan Warriors will pay a visit to either Siddal, Waterhead or Rochdale while St Helens will travel to Blackbrook or Workington Town.
Leeds Rhinos will take on the winner of Thatto Heath's second-round meeting with Championship side Widnes Vikings while Hull FC could make a familiar trip to former Super League side Salford should the former Red Devils beat Hammersmith Hills Hoist.
Leigh Leopards, winners in 2023, will travel to North Wales Crusaders or Bedford Tigers in round three, with Batley Bulldogs or Hunslet ARLFC taking on 2018 winners Catalans Dragons.
Rochdale Mayfield, Ince Rose Bridge or Swinton Lions await Wakefield Trinity, with Huddersfield Giants set to take on Stanningley, Dewsbury Moor or Hunslet, while Castleford Tigers will need to beat either Doncaster or Newcastle Thunder to reach round four.
Elsewhere, Super League newcomers York Knights and Bradford Bulls will face Wigan St Judes, Leigh Miners or Barrow Raiders and London Broncos or Wests Warriors respectively.
Full Betfred Challenge Cup third-round draw
Rochdale Mayfield / Ince Rose Bridge OR Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity
Thatto Heath OR Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos
Wigan St Judes / Leigh Miners OR Barrow Raiders vs York Knights
Batley Bulldogs OR Hunslet ARLFC vs Catalans Dragons
North Wales Crusaders OR Bedford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards
Castleford Lock Lane OR Brighouse vs Hull KR
Blackbrook OR Workington Town vs St Helens
Siddal / Waterhead OR Rochdale vs Wigan Warriors
London Broncos OR Wests Warriors vs Bradford Bulls
Sheffield Eagles OR Whitehaven vs Warrington Wolves
Hammersmith Hills Hoist OR Salford RLFC vs Hull FC
Stanningley / Dewsbury Moor OR Hunslet vs Huddersfield Giants
Doncaster OR Newcastle Thunder vs Castleford Tigers
Halifax OR Telford Raiders / London Chargers vs Woodhouse Warriors / Mirfield OR Goole Vikings
Oldham OR Orrell St James vs Dewsbury Rams OR King Cross Park / West Hull
Heworth / RAF OR Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes / Aberavon Fighting Irish
