Challenge Cup 2025

[Jonty]

Mosts semis back in 80's and 90's were drawing 14-20k.

Hull v Cas drew 21k in 1982, The hull V fax replay semi in 88 drew 25k, 1990 Sts v Wigan 26k. Those were the biggest 3 of that era.

Wigan v Warrington at Maine rd in 89’ drew 26,529 which is absolutely insane!!

 

[Perth Red]

Wigan v Warrington at Maine rd in 89’ drew 26,529 which is absolutely insane!!

Yeh both 89 and 90 Wigan Semis drew 26k in Manchester ('89 Maine rd, '90 Old Trafford)

 

[Jonty]

Yeh both 89 and 90 Wigan Semis drew 26k in Manchester ('89 Maine rd, '90 Old Trafford)

absolutely bonkers when you think about it especially with how far the challenge cup has fallen in recent times.

RL in the late 80’ and early 90’s was really the bollocks!!

 

[Perth Red]

absolutely bonkers when you think about it especially with how far the challenge cup has fallen in recent times.

RL in the late 80’ and early 90’s was really the bollocks!!

Those were the two peaks. Other than that it was pretty steady for semi and finals attendances through the 80's and early 90's with the odd high and the odd low.

Lucky enough to have watched my club at Wembley in 1980, 1986, 1997 and 2015. Hopefully I get chance again!

 

[Jonty]

Those were the two peaks. Other than that it was pretty steady for semi and finals attendances through the 80's and early 90's with the odd high and the odd low.

Lucky enough to have watched my club at Wembley in 1980, 1986, 1997 and 2015. Hopefully I get chance again!

Regular 90k+ finals in this era with nearly 100k in 85 for Wigan against your rivals.

 

[Perth Red]

It’s Challenge Cup time in this Ull of a City,
A victory for one, for t’other just pity
It’s FC and Rovers at the MKM ground
All fans will be wishing to be Wembley bound

Here’s hoping it’s a belter, pure Rugby League Gold
A battle of two giants as in days of old
Knocker and Dodger and so many others too
And now Lewis and Sezer, to mention but two

The songs of Old Faithful and Red Robins you’ll hear
With hearts full of pride, some stomachs full of beer
We’ll cheer every tackle and rue every lost ball
And probably question every referee’s call

It’s families divided and friends torn asunder
Excitement mounting for the gathering thunder
It’s nerves and excitement, it’s like life and like death
But we’ll still all go through it until our last breath

So it’s a City divided, East versus West
To go through to the semi’s is everyone’s quest
So everyone there, scream, shout and sing for your team
And hope that on Saturday, they answer your dream

author: Andrew Thornton

 

[Perth Red]

Upset result with Leigh beating wakey 20-12. After recent form and wakey at home the bookies had a wakey win.

Catalans expectedly beat Salford 20-12 (what were the odds of both games being same score?). Better effort by Salford. RFL will be sweating on Dragons making the final!

well done to both clubs on making the semis.

the big one today! Live on kayo.

 

[Jonty]

Upset result with Leigh beating wakey 20-12. After recent form and wakey at home the bookies had a wakey win.

Catalans expectedly beat Salford 20-12 (what were the odds of both games being same score?). Better effort by Salford. RFL will be sweating on Dragons making the final!

well done to both clubs on making the semis.

the big one today! Live on kayo.

Sorry mate but I have a sneaky feeling that fc will just scrape home this afternoon.

 

[Perth Red]

Sorry mate but I have a sneaky feeling that fc will just scrape home this afternoon.

Hull derby, anything can and probably will happen!

 

[Inkers75]

I’m going for KR to sneak it.

 

[Perth Red]

HKR 22 - HFC 4

 

[Jonty]

Hull derby, anything can and probably will happen!

Hoping for a cracker and as a neutral I don’t care who goes through as long as RL wins.

you think we’ll see a 20k crowd mate?

 

[Perth Red]

Hoping for a cracker and as a neutral I don’t care who goes through as long as RL wins.

you think we’ll see a 20k crowd mate?

Won’t be far off but restricting hkr sales means it probably won’t. 18-19k I reckon. Although I’ve heard plenty of rovers fans have bought tickets in fc areas, that could be fun!

 

[Perth Red]

Too easy! Well played Rovers. On to Wigan next week back in SL.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Too easy! Well played Rovers. On to Wigan next week back in SL.

Rervers are better organized, execution is slicker. Best moment was the Broadbent try straight up the guts.

BBC coverage gets worse. Wouldn't think it possible. Some of the replays when play is in progress defy belief. Any chance they might hire someone who understands the game for the test series? Not holding my breath. NRL fans who gripe about Blocker deserve an earful of Robbie Paul.

 

[Jonty]

Too easy! Well played Rovers. On to Wigan next week back in SL.

Good job my gambling days are behind me!!

heard there was just over 20k there this afternoon.

 

[axe&smash&crush]

Well done KR

 

[miguel de cervantes]

seem to be decent crowds for the challenge cup this year. hopefully momentum continues through the semis

 

[Perth Red]

HFC 16 - HKR 32
att 20,226

last game tonight which should be a belter as well: Warrington v St’s live on Kayo.

 

[Jonty]

Future challenge cup double header at Everton anyone??