Hull FC and Hull KR will learn their first step on their roads to Wembley later this month, with the third round of the Challenge Cup draw set to take place on Tuesday 14 January.

The revamped competition sees all Super League clubs join at the third round stage, with each topflight outfit set to play lower league opposition away from home. That could put them up against Championship, League 1, or even community club opposition in a bid to add more spice to the competition with more unique fixtures, and in the process, add some much-needed funds into the lower league clubs with bigger crowds and broadcast opportunities.

Meanwhile, the third round will be the last 32 stage of the Challenge Cup, with the 20 winners from the round two ties joining the Super League clubs, 12 of which will play a topflight club. That means that there will be four lower league ties guaranteeing some non-Super League representation into the last 16.

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The third round will kickstart the competitive season for Super League clubs, with ties taking place on the weekend of 8–9 February—a week before the start of the Super League season. Each Super League side is guaranteed to face lower league opposition, with the draw made at 6 pm on Tuesday 14 January. Supporters will be able to watch the draw on BBC iPlayer or on Sky channel 980 and Freeview channel 601.

The third round draw will be held before the second round takes place, with those clubs making the second round knowing their fate around 10 days before their ties take place. This is similar to the first and second rounds, which were drawn together last month.

Challenge Cup first round ties

• West Hull vs Edinburgh Eagles

• London Chargers vs Oulton Raiders

• Longhorns vs Ince Rose Bridge

• Lock Lane vs Doncaster Toll Bar

• Hammersmith Hills Hoists vs Siddal

• Waterhead Warriors vs Leigh Miners Rangers

• GB Police vs York Acorn

• Aberavon Fighting Irish vs Blackbrook

• Mirfield vs Royal Navy

• Crosfields vs Maryport

• British Army vs Royal Air Force

• Stanley Rangers vs Hunslet ARLFC

• West Bowling vs Wath Brow Hornets

• Dewsbury Moor vs Haresfinch

• Eastern Rhinos vs West Warriors

• Rochdale Mayfield vs Telford Raiders

• Thatto Heath vs Orrell St James

Challenge Cup second round draw

• GB Police or York Acorn vs London Chargers or Oulton Raiders

• Halifax Panthers vs Thatto Heath or Orrell St James

• Dewsbury Moor or Haresfinch vs Dewsbury Rams

• Barrow Raiders vs Crosfields or Maryport

• Mirfield or Royal Navy vs Workington Town

• London Broncos vs Goole Vikings

• Lock Lane or Doncaster Toll Bar vs Hunslet

• Waterhead Warriors or Leigh Miners vs Featherstone Rovers

• Eastern Rhinos or Wests Warriors vs British Army or Royal Air Force

• Whitehaven vs Swinton Lions

• Stanley Rangers or Hunslet ARLFC vs West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles

• Rochdale Hornets vs Widnes Vikings

• Oldham vs Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders

• Keighley Cougars vs York Knights

• Sheffield Eagles vs West Bowling or Wath Brow Hornets

• Bradford Bulls vs Doncaster

• Aberavon Fighting Irish or Blackbrook vs Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge

• Midlands Hurricanes vs Hammersmith Hills Hoists or Siddal

• Cornwall vs North Wales Crusaders

• Newcastle Thunder vs Batley Bulldogs

2025 Challenge Cup dates

• Round 1 | 11/12 January

• Round 2 | 25/26 January

• Round 3 | 8/9 February

• Round 4 | 15/16 March

• Quarter-Finals | 5/6 April

• Semi-Finals | 10/11 May

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