Challenge Cup 2019

[Foreign Legion]

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spo...-sponsorship-for-2019-challenge-cup-1-9445673



The Rugby League Challenge Cup is set to kick off in 2019 without a sponsor. Bookmakers Ladbrokes declined to extend their four-year deal after it ended with Catalans Dragons’ historic victory over Warrington at Wembley last August. Catalan Dragons' celebrate winning the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in August. Picture: Adam Davy/PA The Rugby Football League had lined up a replacement but it is thought a deal collapsed at the last minute and it has now begun the search for a new backer. The draw for the first round, which will include Serbian representation for the first time in Red Star Belgrade, will be made in mid-December with matches due to take place on the weekend of January 26-27. A new sponsor is unlikely to be in place by then but the RFL says it is prepared to bide its time in order to get the right deal. Super League clubs are not due to enter the competition until the fifth-round stage in April. We have had strong interest, but having agreed a deal 10 weeks ago, that situation has changed in recent days - the situation remains commercially sensitive. An RFL spokesman said: “We have had strong interest, but having agreed a deal 10 weeks ago, that situation has changed in recent days - the situation remains commercially sensitive. “We aren’t prepared to undervalue the Challenge Cup - it is an attractive property, the oldest knockout competition in rugby, with a special part in the history of Wembley Stadium, and generating substantial broadcast audiences through our relationship with the BBC. “Our commercial team will continue to negotiate with potential partners, as the 2019 competition develops momentum through the early rounds until League One, Championship and Super League clubs enter in the spring.” The RFL this week announced a new deal to keep the Cup final at Wembley until 2027 and unveiled a new competition, the 1895 Cup for Championship and League One clubs, to culminate at the national stadium on August 24, 2019. As part of the new arrangement with Wembley, the Challenge Cup final will be brought forward to July from 2020.

Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spo...-sponsorship-for-2019-challenge-cup-1-9445673

 

[langpark]

When does Round 1 get drawn?

 

[TDD91]

No Toronto or Toulouse, but Red Star Belgrade are in. Round 1 is drawn next week.

 

[thorson1987]

f**king RFL.

 

[RL The greatest game]

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spo...-sponsorship-for-2019-challenge-cup-1-9445673



The Rugby League Challenge Cup is set to kick off in 2019 without a sponsor. Bookmakers Ladbrokes declined to extend their four-year deal after it ended with Catalans Dragons’ historic victory over Warrington at Wembley last August. Catalan Dragons' celebrate winning the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in August. Picture: Adam Davy/PA The Rugby Football League had lined up a replacement but it is thought a deal collapsed at the last minute and it has now begun the search for a new backer. The draw for the first round, which will include Serbian representation for the first time in Red Star Belgrade, will be made in mid-December with matches due to take place on the weekend of January 26-27. A new sponsor is unlikely to be in place by then but the RFL says it is prepared to bide its time in order to get the right deal. Super League clubs are not due to enter the competition until the fifth-round stage in April. We have had strong interest, but having agreed a deal 10 weeks ago, that situation has changed in recent days - the situation remains commercially sensitive. An RFL spokesman said: “We have had strong interest, but having agreed a deal 10 weeks ago, that situation has changed in recent days - the situation remains commercially sensitive. “We aren’t prepared to undervalue the Challenge Cup - it is an attractive property, the oldest knockout competition in rugby, with a special part in the history of Wembley Stadium, and generating substantial broadcast audiences through our relationship with the BBC. “Our commercial team will continue to negotiate with potential partners, as the 2019 competition develops momentum through the early rounds until League One, Championship and Super League clubs enter in the spring.” The RFL this week announced a new deal to keep the Cup final at Wembley until 2027 and unveiled a new competition, the 1895 Cup for Championship and League One clubs, to culminate at the national stadium on August 24, 2019. As part of the new arrangement with Wembley, the Challenge Cup final will be brought forward to July from 2020.

Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spo...-sponsorship-for-2019-challenge-cup-1-9445673

Not a good look without a sponsor

 

[Evil Homer]

Great to see Red Star in there although I think they'll get smashed. Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams involved too as usual.

Full list of clubs: All Golds, Army, Batley Boys, Bentley, Beverley, Bradford Dudley Hill, British Police, Clock Face Miners, Crosfields, Dewsbury Moor, Distington, Drighlington, East Leeds, Edinburgh Eagles, Featherstone Lions, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, Haydock, Hunslet Club Parkside, Hunslet Warriors, Kells, Leigh East, Leigh Miners Rangers, Lock Lane, London Chargers, Longhorns, Milford Marlins, Millom, Normanton Knights, North Herts Crusaders, Orrell St James, Oulton Raiders, Ovenden, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Red Star Belgrade, Rochdale Mayfield, Shaw Cross Sharks, Siddal, Skirlaugh, Stanningley, Thatto Heath, Thornhill Trojans, Torfaen Tigers, Underbank Rangers, Wallsend Eagles, Wath Brow Hornets, West Bowling, West Hull, Wigan St Judes, Wigan St Patricks, Woolston Rovers, York Acorn

 

[jim_57]

f**king RFL.

Apparantly Toulouse and Catalans asked to pay as well. Asking the Cup holders to pay in case they have the audacity to win it again. RFL asking expansion clubs to pay for their own incompetence in not being able to sell one of their showpiece events.

I'd be more upset if I didn't find it so hard to care any more.

 

[deluded pom?]

It looks like a few good amateur teams have given it a swerve. Understandable seeing as hardly any of them break even let alone make any money from participating.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

So are Red Star paying? Or RFL just assuming they can't make the final?

 

[deluded pom?]

So are Red Star paying? Or RFL just assuming they can't make the final?

Red Star are not a threat to the RFL's finances so don't have to pay.

 

[TDD91]

Challenge Cup first-round draw

Kells v Rochdale Mayfield
Orrell St James v Underbank Rangers
West Bowling v Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Dewsbury Moor v Skirlaugh
East Leeds v Batley Boys
Wigan St Judes v Crosfields
Bentley v Army
Royal Navy v West Hull
Leigh Miners Rangers v Oulton Raiders
Wallsend Eagles v Great Britain Police
Drighlington v All Golds
Leigh East v Wigan St Patricks
Distington v Torfaen Tigers
Lock Lane v Longhorns
Shaw Cross Sharks v Haydock
Ovenden v Woolston Rovers
Hunslet Warriors v Featherstone Lions
York Acorn v Beverley
Normanton Knights v Edinburgh Eagles
Bradford Dudley Hill v Milford Marlins
North Herts Crusaders v Royal Air Force
Millom v Red Star Belgrade
Clock Face Miners v Siddal
Hunslet Club Parkside v Thornhill Trojans
Thatto Heath v Stanningley
London Chargers v Wath Brow Hornets

Fixtures to be played January 26th/27th

 

[Taking The Two]

Catalans are apparently unwilling to pay the €550,000 ‘bond’ to take part in the defence of their trophy in 2019.

Only in Rugby League could this ever be a story. How can we expect Catalans to take a game to Barcelona and then expect them explain that they’re not battling to retain their title to newcomers to the game?

The RFL aren’t fit for purpose. They’re an abombination that are killing the game. The Challenge Cup as a competition is at its lowest ebb, yet after 2018’s winners, it should be at its highest.

 

[CC_Roosters]

Catalans are apparently unwilling to pay the €550,000 ‘bond’ to take part in the defence of their trophy in 2019.

Only in Rugby League could this ever be a story. How can we expect Catalans to take a game to Barcelona and then expect them explain that they’re not battling to retain their title to newcomers to the game?

The RFL aren’t fit for purpose. They’re an abombination that are killing the game. The Challenge Cup as a competition is at its lowest ebb, yet after 2018’s winners, it should be at its highest.

I think literally for every positive story the game generates there is an inevitable double edge sword moment to balance it. that and the ability of clubs and governing bodies in both hemispheres to shoot both feet repeatedly

 

[Foreign Legion]

Social media has gone wild since the news broke that Challenge Cup holders Catalans would have to pay to compete in the competition this year.

Catalans owner Bernard Guasch has asked the RFL for clarification on their entry to the Challenge Cup, saying he will refuse to pay the bond requested.

There was controversy ahead of the recent first round draw when it was revealed that Toronto and Toulouse would not be entering the 2019 competition having refused to pay a speculated £700,000 bond.

The bond was requested as insurance against reduced ticket sales should either side reach the final, with last season’s final involving Catalans attracting just over 50,000 at Wembley.

The assumption was that the current holders, Catalans, would be entering despite the requests, however comments in the French press appear to suggest otherwise.

Should clubs have to pay to compete in the Challenge Cup?

Here are how fans reacted to the question on Twitter:

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...-to-pay-to-compete-in-the-2019-challenge-cup/

 

[Storm13]

Wonder if Toulouse were asked to pay the same amount or that Toronto and Catalans were asked this amount as they know they have rich backing?

Something big is going to happen with Super League this year. Don't know what but something is brewing.

 

[RL The greatest game]

The RFL showing yet again that they are the most incompetent sporting body in the UK
Catalans Dragons: French club may not defend Challenge Cup over £500k deposit - BBC Sport

 

[roughyedspud]

This could signal the beginning of the end of the challenge cup...shear f**king incompetence from the RFL

 

[Pommy]

I can see both sides of this. On one hand I’m a fan of league and think this is one of the dumbest things ever and is only bad for the sport. I also don’t think teams in the English system should have a choice to enter and it should be mandatory as it gives teams a break when others aren’t having one.

On the other hand it can’t be a loss making event, the sport just isn’t in a position to throw money at things. What answer is I do not know, there must be a better way though.

It seems ridiculous to push for expansion and then spit in the face of the first successful expansion team though.

 

[Inkers75]

To be honest the RFL are completely ruining the game in England. They simply are inept.

 

[jim_57]

Can someone message me when the Rimmer era has been overthrown by anyone with half a brain still involved in Rugby League in England? Thanks.

Until then following the game over there is just a bit too miserable for me.