Hull FC and Hull KR learn potential Challenge Cup opponents including amateur sides
Hull FC and Hull KR have learned their potential Challenge Cup third round opponents, with a draw featuring 66 teams from Super League, the Championship, League 1, and the community game made this Tuesday evening.
The Challenge Cup has undergone a revamp for the 2025 season, with all 12 Super League teams now entering at the last 32 stage. They were all seeded and guaranteed to face lower league opposition, with 20 balls created containing clubs from first and/or second round ties, which will be played later this month.
Hull have been drawn against ball number one. As it stands, that means the Black and Whites, who will line-up under John Cartwright for the first time in competitive action, have four potential opponents for the tie, which kicks off the club's season next month. They are as follows: GB Police, York Acorn, London Charges, or Oulton Raiders.
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Meanwhile, Hull KR, who are gearing up for their third season under Willie Peters, have been drawn ball number 14 and have two potential opponents. They are as follows: Keighley Cougars and York Knights.
Elsewhere, Cup holders Wigan Warriors have been drawn against ball number 15 and will face three potential opponents. They are Sheffield Eagles, West Bowling, and Cutsyke Raiders.
Local National Conference League side West Hull also face the mouthwatering possibility of hosting St Helens, should they win their ties against Edinburgh Eagles and then either Stanley Rangers or Hunslet.
The third round ties will all take place on the weekend of 8/9 February. In total, 16 third-round ties have been drawn, four of which are all made up of non-Super League clubs. Fixture details will be confirmed in due course, pending the outcome of the remaining first and second round fixtues.
The full Challenge Cup third-round draw
London Broncos or Goole Vikings vs Wakefield Trinity
GB Police, York Acorn, London Chargers or Oulton Raiders vs Hull FC
Bradford Bulls or Doncaster vs Castleford Tigers
Lock Lane, Doncaster Toll Bar or Hunslet RLFC vs Huddersfield Giants
Wests Warriors, British Army or RAF vs Leeds Rhinos
Halifax Panthers, Thatto Heath or Orrell St James vs Catalans Dragons
Stanley Rangers, Hunslet ARLFC, West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles vs St Helens
Mirfield, Royal Navy or Workington Town vs Leigh Leopards
Midlands Hurricanes or Siddal vs Salford Red Devils
Whitehaven or Swinton Lions vs Warrington Wolves
Keighley Cougars or York vs Hull KR
Sheffield Eagles, West Bowling or Cutsyke Raiders vs Wigan Warriors
Oldham, Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders vs Barrow Raiders, Crosfields or Maryport
Newcastle Thunder or Batley Bulldogs vs Dewsbury Moor, Haresfinch or Dewsbury Rams
Cornwall or North Wales Crusaders vs Rochdale Hornets or Widnes Vikings
Waterhead Warriors, Leigh Miners or Featherstone Rovers vs Blackbrook, Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge
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