The 2022 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 121st edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It started on 15 January 2022 and ended, with the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 28 May.[2]
St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, but they were eliminated in the semi-final by Wigan Warriors, who went on to win the Final, by narrowly defeating Huddersfield Giants 16-14.
Background
The competition started on 14 January and concluded with the final on 28 May. Traditionally the Challenge Cup final is held at Wembley Stadium in London. Due to scheduling conflicts between Wembley and the RFL due to a BBC request to play the final earlier in the year in May, it was announced that the 2022 Challenge Cup Final would be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.[3] The RFL stated that the final would return to Wembley in 2023.[4] The RFL 1895 Cup would also be played for alongside the Challenge Cup.[5]
All professional RFL member clubs were invited to participate as well as a number of invited amateur teams including teams representing the British Armed forces and police forces. This year it was announced that the Super League's Toulouse Olympique, who are not members of the RFL but are invited to take part in the Challenge Cup, had declined their invitation and would not participate.[2] Newly formed Cornwall R.L.F.C. who played in RFL League 1 also decided not to enter the competition.[6]
St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, however, they were eliminated in the semi final, narrowly losing to Wigan Warriors 18–20.
A new television deal with the BBC came into effect this year, with coverage of more matches of later rounds as well as providing digital coverage of earlier rounds.[7]The Sportsman continued its involvement in streaming games that started in 2021 and the RFL streamed some matches on its own streaming service, Our League.[8]Premier Sports also broadcast a number of cup game as part of the broadcast deal signed with the RFL in October 2021.[9]
Format and dates
First round
The draw for the first round was made at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and ties were played over the weekend of 14–16 January 2022.[10]
Second round
The draw for the second round was made at the same time at the first. Ties were played over the weekend of 29–30 January 2022. This round sees sides from the League 1 enter.[10]
Third round
The draw for the third round was made on 1 February.[14] Ties were played over the weekend of 12–13 February 2022.
Fourth round
The draw for the fourth round was made at the same time at the third.[14] Ties were played over the weekend of 26–28 February 2022. This round saw sides from the Championship enter.
Fifth round
The draw for the fifth round was made on 28 February at the conclusion of the tie between Leigh and Widnes. Ties were played over the weekend of 12–14 March 2022.[17]
Sixth round
The draw for the sixth round was made on 14 March 2022, at Elland Road, Leeds. Ties were played over the weekend of 25–27 March 2022.[19]
Quarter-finals
The draw for the quarter-finals was made during the half-time broadcast of the sixth-round match between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers. The draw was hosted by Tanya Arnold, and the teams were drawn by Robbie Hunter-Paul, and John Kear. Ties were played over the weekend of 8–10 April 2022.[22]
^Attendances for games involving community clubs are not always recorded
^Match to be played at Featherstone due to building works at Sheffield's home ground.[20]
References
^"Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two". Sky Sports. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
^ a b"Challenge Cup 2022 details with one Super League club not participating". Examiner Live. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^"Challenge Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host showpiece instead of Wembley next year | Rugby League News". Sky Sports. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^"Challenge Cup final to move from Wembley to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium". BBC Sport. 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
^"Betfred extend Challenge Cup sponsorship to include Finals at Tottenham and Wembley". Rugby Football League. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^"Toulouse Olympique and Cornwall opt out of Challenge Cup as amateur entrants revealed". TotalRL.com. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
^"BBC Sport confirm enhanced Challenge Cup coverage from 2022". Warrington Guardian. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^McAllister, Josh (12 January 2022). "Three Challenge Cup fixtures to be shown live this weekend". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
^"Betfred Championship strikes two-year broadcast deal with Premier Sports". www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
^ a b"Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two". Sky Sports. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
^"Galway Tribesmen relishing Challenge Cup visit to St Helens". www.sthelensreporter.co.uk. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
^ a bIbbetson, Stephen (1 February 2022). "Featherstone Rovers face Halifax Panthers as Challenge Cup third and fourth round draws made". TotalRL.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
^ a b"Challenge Cup 2022: Orrell St James v British Army kicks off BBC live stream coverage". BBC Sport. 5 January 2022.
^Ibbetson, Stephen (12 January 2022). "Broadcast deal agreed for League 1 and Women's Super League". TotalRL.com | Rugby League Express | Rugby League World. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
^McAllister, Josh (9 January 2022). "Our League confirm round one Challenge Cup coverage". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
^ a b"The Sportsman To Broadcast Historic Army vs Navy Betfred Challenge Cup Clash". The Sportsman. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
^ a b"Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round schedule and coverage confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^Gordon, James (4 February 2022). "BBC to show Challenge Cup third round tie". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^ a b c"Betfred Challenge Cup round 4 - live coverage confirmed". rugby-league.com. RFL. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
^"Crusaders vs Eagles - Challenge Cup R5 info". Sheffield Eagles. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^"BBC Sport to show Cumbrian derby in Round 5 of the Betfred Challenge Cup". rugby-league.com. RFL. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^Gordon, James (2 March 2022). "Televised Challenge Cup fifth round tie confirmed". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ a b c d e"Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth round televised ties confirmed". rugby-league.com. RFL. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
^ a b c d"Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-final Broadcast Details Confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
^ a b"Broadcast Details Confirmed for BetFred Challenge Cup Triple Header". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.