The full draw for the first and second rounds of the Challenge Cup has been made.
Local National Conference League side West Hull have been drawn against Halifax-based Kings Cross Park in the first round of the 2026 Challenge Cup. The Green and Golds will play away from home against the Yorkshire Men’s League opponent.
The draw for the second round of the competition was also made, with the winner of the first-round tie heading to Championship opposition in Dewsbury Rams. The rounds will be played on January 10/11 and January 24/25.
Of course, West Hull hit the news last season with a blockbuster third-round tie against St Helens, played at Hull KR’s Craven Park. The NCL outfit have featured in the competition throughout their history and once defeated professional opposition in York at the Boulevard.
Meanwhile, both early round draws were conducted at RFL headquarters in Manchester this Monday afternoon and were regionalised, with clubs from different areas placed into pots. In total, 17 first-round ties were drawn, with 19 second-round draws then following suit. The first round will contain 34 community clubs, with the 21 Championship clubs then entering the second round and joining the 17 winners to create 19 ties.
Super League clubs, barring Toulouse, will enter in the third round, creating a last 32. They will face a non-Super League club away from home in round three. Hull FC and Hull KR will both enter at the third round stage.
The full draws can be found below.
Challenge Cup Round One draw
Orrell St James v Haresfinch
Wigan St Judes v Leigh Miners Rangers
Rochdale Mayfield v Ince Rose Bridge
Blackbrook v GB Police
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Seaton Rangers
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
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
Thatto Heath Crusaders/Seaton Rangers v Widnes Vikings
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