When exactly is the Challenge Cup?

[LESStar58]

I'm thinking of going to London, Dublin and Belfast next year and thought today that if I was there at the right time I would go to the Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff. When exactly in the year is it on? Its sometime in May/June/July from memory....and would it still be at the Arms Park?

 

[bamber]

the final is on 27 august, at cardiff.

 

[Hightown Tiger]

Millenium Stadium, Cardiff. 8)

 

[terracesider]

Tickets:

http://www.rfl.uk.com/Templates/RFLDefault.asp?modeID=Ticketing&RFLMode=&Pkey=&CompName=

 

[vbfg]

I'm thinking of going to London, Dublin and Belfast next year and thought today that if I was there at the right time I would go to the Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff. When exactly in the year is it on? Its sometime in May/June/July from memory....and would it still be at the Arms Park?

They've moved it this year mate. When we switched seasons from winter to summer the Challenge Cup stayed put so the amateur teams who continued to play in winter could still compete. It was felt though that having the final so early in the season, when it used to be the very last game of the club season, devalued it a little. We have the GF as the last game of the season now so they've compromised and moved the CC Final to August.

I have absolutely no idea when the knock out rounds to decide who's in the final are happening though. In the last few seasons they were once a fortnight with a month gap between the final and the rounds. I suspect it'll be the same this coming year.

 

[LESStar58]

Awesome! Now that I know when its on...(and I should have accumulated enough leave by then) all I need is somebody to go with? Does anybody intend on going REGARDLESS of wether or not their team is in the Cup Final? I will probably stay in London for a week before the game to do some sightseeing/drinking/shagging then head to Cardiff for a couple of days, take in the CC Final and hopefully get a flight from Cardiff to Dublin...

 

[vbfg]

Awesome! Now that I know when its on...(and I should have accumulated enough leave by then) all I need is somebody to go with? Does anybody intend on going REGARDLESS of wether or not their team is in the Cup Final?

Yes, I always go. Probably half the crowd at the CC final are neutrals. Ever since they moved it to Wembley it has been Rugby League's big day out and it still is more so than the Grand Final.

Your best bet for staying over is in Bristol. Cardiff is a small city with a huge stadium in the middle of it. It'll be booked out hotel-wise months in advance, long before anyone knows who will be playing in the final, and whilst the nightlife is alright it's not really that great. Get into town early enough on the day and you'll see everything worth seeing before the kick off with time to spare.

Bristol is a bigger city and generally a more attractive one too. It's about half an hour away on the train, your options for a decent night out improve dramatically and it's easier to get booked into more choice of hotels. Decent airport too so probably easier for getting to Dublin afterwards.

There's usually a crowd from RLFANS that arrange to meet up. Good turn out this year too (pictures here). No plans as yet for another one next year but it's a near certainty to happen.

Drop me a PM nearer the time if you're up for it, here or on RLFANS, and I'll probably have more details for you.

 

[LESStar58]

Awesome! Now that I know when its on...(and I should have accumulated enough leave by then) all I need is somebody to go with? Does anybody intend on going REGARDLESS of wether or not their team is in the Cup Final?

Yes, I always go. Probably half the crowd at the CC final are neutrals. Ever since they moved it to Wembley it has been Rugby League's big day out and it still is more so than the Grand Final.

Your best bet for staying over is in Bristol. Cardiff is a small city with a huge stadium in the middle of it. It'll be booked out hotel-wise months in advance, long before anyone knows who will be playing in the final, and whilst the nightlife is alright it's not really that great. Get into town early enough on the day and you'll see everything worth seeing before the kick off with time to spare.

Bristol is a bigger city and generally a more attractive one too. It's about half an hour away on the train, your options for a decent night out improve dramatically and it's easier to get booked into more choice of hotels. Decent airport too so probably easier for getting to Dublin afterwards.

There's usually a crowd from RLFANS that arrange to meet up. Good turn out this year too (pictures here). No plans as yet for another one next year but it's a near certainty to happen.

Drop me a PM nearer the time if you're up for it, here or on RLFANS, and I'll probably have more details for you.

thanks mate! I am pretty keen on going over...I will check out your links! 8)

 

[mightybears]

sucks they no longer show the final on free to air tv in australia, was like the fa cup to me

 

[LESStar58]

I don't remember them showing it live on FTA....what channel did it use to be on?