Key Points
- Leeds Rhinos face winners of Thatto Heath Crusaders or Widnes Vikings away in Challenge Cup third round.
- Wakefield Trinity drawn away at winners of Rochdale Mayfield, Ince Rose Bridge or Swinton Lions.
- Castleford Tigers to play winners of Doncaster or Newcastle Thunder away.
- All third-round ties scheduled for weekend of February 6-8, 2026, with Super League clubs drawn away from home.
- Draw conducted at DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield as part of 2026 Betfred Championship season launch.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 12, 2026 – The third-round draw for the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup has paired Yorkshire Super League clubs Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity with potential lower-tier opponents away from home.
Ties are set for the weekend of February 6-8, ahead of the Super League season launch, with all 12 Super League sides drawn away, creating intriguing matchups against winners from earlier rounds.
Who are the opponents for Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity?
The draw, revealed at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium, pits Leeds Rhinos against the winners of the second-round tie between Thatto Heath Crusaders and Widnes Vikings, according to reports from Love Rugby League and All Out Rugby League.
Wakefield Trinity will travel to face the victors from the clash involving Rochdale Mayfield, Ince Rose Bridge or Swinton Lions, while Castleford Tigers are set to meet the winners of Doncaster or Newcastle Thunder, as detailed in coverage by multiple rugby league outlets.
As reported by Love Rugby League, the full third-round lineup confirms these Yorkshire derbies against ambitious lower-division sides seeking giant-killing opportunities.
What does the full Challenge Cup third round draw look like?
Other notable ties include Wigan Warriors hosting winners from Siddal, Waterhead or Rochdale Hornets, and St Helens potentially facing local rivals Blackbrook if they overcome Workington Town, per All Out Rugby League.
Hull KR await the winners of Brighouse Rangers or Lock Lane, who advanced with a bye due to Featherstone Rovers’ exclusion from the competition following their administration issues.
Which Super League clubs enter at this stage?
All 12 Super League teams, including York Knights, Catalans Dragons, Leigh Leopards, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls, enter in round three, drawn exclusively away, as confirmed by Total Rugby League and Rugby League official channels.
How did the draw unfold and what is the schedule?
The draw took place on January 12 at the DIY Kitchens Stadium during the 2026 Betfred Championship season launch, conducted by retired coach John Kear and broadcaster Ross Fiddes, according to Rugby League reports.
Second-round fixtures, determining many third-round participants, are scheduled for January 24-25, with just eight first-round ties surviving Storm Goretti and others pending, leading into the third-round weekend of February 6-8.
Venues remain subject to potential switches, but the away status for Super League clubs adds to the competition’s unpredictability, as noted in Hull FC’s official coverage of their own tie.
These matchups highlight the Challenge Cup’s tradition of pitting professionals against amateurs and lower-tier teams, offering pathways for historic upsets in the 2026 edition.
