Challenge Cup Round 2 Draw Confirms Newcastle Thunder’s Opponent

The draw for the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup has now taken place, and Newcastle Thunder will face Doncaster RLFC, away in Round 2 of the competition.

The fixture is scheduled to be played over the weekend of 24–25 January, with the confirmed date, kick-off time and venue to be confirmed shortly.

Ticketing information for the tie will be released in due course along with exciting announcements for the upcoming, newly formed Betfred Championship season. Supporters are encouraged to follow Newcastle Thunder’s official channels for the latest updates.

The full draw is as follows;

Challenge Cup Round One draw – ties to be played weekend of January 10-11 

Orrell St James v Haresfinch 

Wigan St Judes v Leigh Miners Rangers 

Rochdale Mayfield v Ince Rose Bridge 

Blackbrook v GB Police 

Siddal v Waterhead 

Stanningley v Dewsbury Moor 

Kings Cross Park v West Hull 

Hunslet ARLFC v York Acorn 

Heworth v RAF 

Brighouse Rangers v Lock Lane 

Woodhouse Warriors v Mirfield Spartans 

Bedford Tigers v Medway Dragons 

British Army v Wests Warriors 

Broncos (Northern Ireland) v Aberavon Fighting Irish 

Telford Raiders v London Chargers 

Royal Navy v Hammersmith Hills Hoists 

 

Challenge Cup Round Two draw - ties to be played on the weekend of January 24-25 

Oldham v Orrell St James/Haresfinch  

Wigan St Jude/Leigh Miners Rangers v Barrow Raiders 

Rochdale Mayfield/Ince Rose Bridge v Swinton Lions 

Blackbrook/GB Police v Workington Town 

Siddal/Waterhead v Rochdale Hornets 

Stanningley/Dewsbury Moor v Hunslet  

Dewsbury Rams v Kings Cross Park/West Hull  

Batley Bulldogs v Hunslet ARLFC/York Acorn  

Heworth/RAF v Keighley Cougars 

Brighouse Rangers/Lock Lane v Featherstone Rovers 

Woodhouse Warriors/Mirfield Spartans v Goole Vikings 

North Wales Crusaders v Bedford Tigers/Medway Dragons  

London Broncos v British Army/Wests Warriors  

Midlands Hurricanes v Broncos (Northern Ireland)/Aberavon Fighting Irish 

Halifax Panthers v Telford Raiders/London Chargers 

Royal Navy/Hammersmith Hills Hoist v Salford Red Devils 

Sheffield Eagles v Whitehaven 

Doncaster v Newcastle Thunder 

 

Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates 

First Round draw – Monday November 24 (4pm release) 

First Round (Community) – Jan 10-11 

Second Round (Championship clubs enter) – Jan 24-25 

Fourth Round (last 16) – March 14-15 

Quarter Finals – April 11-12 

Semi Finals – May 9/10 

Final – Saturday May 30