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Challenge Cup first round entrants confirmed as community clubs chase Super League ties
The countdown to the 2025 rugby league season will commence on Monday, December 2, with the draws for the first and second rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Goole Vikings, who are set to participate in the sport's oldest knockout competition for the first time following their entry into League 1, will host the draw next month.
It begins a new era for the Challenge Cup, which has been restructured heading into 2025, with Super League clubs entering a round earlier. In round three they will all be drawn away from home against teams from the community game, League 1 and Championship who advance through the opening two rounds.
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The First Round draw will include 34 clubs and teams from the community game, including three more Challenge Cup debutants: Eastern Rhinos of the Southern Conference League; Mirfield of the Pennine League; and Telford Raiders from the Midlands Rugby League.
There are 15 representatives from the National Conference League including the 2024 champions, Hunslet ARLFC, Grand Finalists Siddal, and York Acorn, who had a best-ever run to the Fifth Round of the 2024 Challenge Cup including a victory over League 1 Cornwall.
London Broncos will be among those who enter in the second round after losing their place in Super League. Toulouse Olympique will not participate but the other Championship clubs, as well as those in League 1, will enter at the same stage.
The first round ties are set to take place on the weekend of January 11-12, while the second Round ties are pencilled in for the weekend of January 25-26.
Challenge Cup first round entrants (fixtures to take place January 11-12th)
Aberavon Fighting Irish, Blackbrook, British Army, Crosfields, Dewsbury Moor, Doncaster Toll Bar, Eastern Rhinos, Edinburgh Eagles, GB Police, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, Haresfinch, Hunslet, Ince Rose Bridge, Leigh Miners Rangers, Lock Lane, London Chargers, Longhorns, Maryport, Mirfield, Orrell St James, Oulton Raiders, RAF, Rochdale Mayfield, Royal Navy, Siddal, Stanley Rangers, Telford Raiders, Thatto Heath, Waterhead Warriors, Wath Brow Hornets, West Bowling, West Hull, Wests Warriors, York Acorn.
