The Challenge Cup will see Hull FC head to lower league opposition in February.
Hull FC’s 2026 season will kick off with Challenge Cup action against lower league opposition, with the round taking place on the weekend of February 7-8.
Kicking off the new year once again, the famous competition will use the same format and revamp as seen last season, with Super League clubs meeting lower league opposition ranging from the Championship to the community game at the last 32 stage. The ties will all be away from home.
The first and second round draws will be made on Monday 24 November, with 34 community clubs creating 17 first-round ties, before the 21 Championship teams join the 17 winners to make 19 ties in round two.
A total of 13 Super League clubs will then join the 19 winners to create the last 32, with Toulouse, as normal, not taking part in the competition. That will see Hull pitted against anyone from London Broncos to Thatto Heath Crusaders, with an exciting draw to take place in the new year.
In fact, Hull, who faced community opposition in York Acorn last season, are still to meet three clubs in the professional system: Midlands Hurricanes, Newcastle Thunder, and Goole Vikings. Other clubs, such as Featherstone Rovers and Sheffield Eagles, are familiar opponents from recent seasons, while Bradford Bulls and York Knights will feature in the Super League this year. Hull haven’t met them competitively since 2014 and 1997.
Of course, Hull could also meet community opposition once again, but for now, here is a rundown of the last time Hull faced off against each Championship opponent away from home.
2025: Salford Red Devils: The Greater Manchester outfit, should they get past a winding-up petition that was last week adjourned for a fourth time, are set to compete in the Championship next year. Hull last faced them at the MKM Stadium in August in a game they won 80-6. Their last trip to Salford was in June, a 38-6 victory.
2024: London Broncos: Hull’s first trip to Wimbledon’s new home was one to forget, with the Broncos getting their first Super League victory of the 2024 season with a 34-18 triumph.
2022: Sheffield Eagles: Hull last played Sheffield in a Challenge Cup game in 2022, a 58-12 victory. However, it was played in Featherstone. Their last competitive trip to Sheffield was at United’s Bramall Lane in 2015. They won 34-12.
2021: Featherstone Rovers: The battle of Featherstone in 2018 is infamously remembered for the number of cards shown and a tackle on Jamie Shaul that Bobby Bouche would have been proud of, but Hull also played a behind-closed-doors Challenge Cup game at Post Office Road four years ago. They won it 34-14.
2018: Widnes Vikings: Hull’s last visit to Widnes came seven years ago. It was the Chemics’ last in the Super League before dropping down to the Championship. Hull won the game 39-20.
2011: North Wales Crusaders: Hull hosted the Crusaders in the 2013 Challenge Cup competition. However, their last trip to Wales was in 2011, with Hull defeating the then Super League franchise 58-18 at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground. The Crusaders now play their games in Colwyn Bay.
2008: Rochdale Hornets: Hull won a Challenge Cup encounter at Spotland 42-5 back in 2008. They went on to reach the final at Wembley that year.
2003: Halifax Panthers: The last time Hull played Halifax competitively was over two decades ago, a 60-10 massacre at the Shay with the late, great Steve Prescott scoring 28 points.
2001: Keighley Cougars: Hull’s last senior meeting with Keighley was in 2001, a Challenge Cup game at Cougar Park. They won 34-20 with a certain Jason Smith making his debut.
1998: Whitehaven: Hull last played in Cumbria in 1998, defeating Whitehaven 26-12 in a Challenge Cup game at the Recreation Ground.
1997: Swinton Lions: Hull last played Swinton in their Super League promotion-winning campaign of 1997, with a 26-18 victory coming at Bury’s Gigg Lane.
1997: Workington Town: Hull’s last trip to Derwent Park was also in their 1997 promotion season. They won 34-18.
1997: Dewsbury Rams: Hull’s last season in the second tier saw them defeat Dewsbury 16-9 at Tetley Stadium.
1996: Batley Bulldogs: Hull’s last competitive meeting with Batley was a defeat, with the Gallant Youth running out 20-4 winners at Mount Pleasant.
1994/95: Oldham Roughyeds: Hull last met Oldham in the Challenge Cup at the MKM Stadium in 2011. They won 82-0. However, they last faced them over the Pennies at the old Watersheddings ground, losing 19-14.
1994/95: Doncaster: Hull’s most recent competitive game against Doncaster was nearly 30 years ago, coming at Tattersfield. They lost 42-38—a club record for points scored in a defeat.
1989/90: Barrow Raiders: Hull’s last trip to Barrow saw them win 38-6 at Craven Park in March 1990. Neil Turner scored a hat-trick.
1987/88: Hunslet: Hull last met Hunslet in the Challenge Cup at the MKM Stadium in 2007, a game they won 78-0 on Craig Hall’s debut. However, their last game at Hunslet was 36 years ago at Elland Road Greyhound Stadium in another cup tie. The Airlie Birds won 27-10.