Super League clubs will begin the 2025 season with a Challenge Cup fixture under new scheduling proposals for the upcoming season. Rugby League Live has learned of new details heading into the new season one that will see the historic knockout competition take on a new format.
From next season, Super League sides will enter the competition a round earlier, participating from the round of 32 under a revamped format that will see all 12 top-flight clubs drawn away from home against lower-league opposition.
The changes have been made to increase the likelihood of lower league and community clubs securing a glamour tie, and the financial benefits that come with that, while also ensuring Super League clubs have an extra game they must come through to secure silverware.
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Those games will take place a week before the league season starts, with Challenge Cup third-round ties scheduled for the weekend of February 8/9th, with Super League to commence on Thursday, February 13th.
There will be one Challenge round a month for Super League sides, which will culminate with the Wembley showpiece on Saturday, June 7th, which takes place four weeks after the semi-finals.
The World Club Challenge is due to be played on Saturday February 22nd, while another key event in next year's calendar, the clash between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas, takes place on Saturday, March 1st.
The changes under the format will see Super League clubs have to tweak their pre-season plans somewhat, with some clubs usually opting against a game the week before the league season starts, though it will give supporters the opportunity to potentially visit new grounds they otherwise wouldn't when following their team.
