BBC confirms live coverage of Challenge Cup sixth round

The BBC has confirmed it will show the two Challenge Cup sixth round ties live on Saturday 22 August.

Castleford Tigers versus Hull FC be shown live on BBC1 at 2.30pm, with Catalans Dragons against Wakefield Trinity kicking off at 5pm over on BBC2.

The winners of these ties will face Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils respectively in the competition’s Quarter Finals.

Catalans Dragons and Hull FC have both triumphed at Wembley Stadium in recent years, while the Tigers last tasted Challenge Cup success in 1986 and close rivals Wakefield in 1963.

Hull, Challenge Cup winners in 2016 and 2017, defeated Castleford 28-12 at the same stage last season. Catalans Dragons, cup winners in 2018, face Trinity for the very first time in the competition.

RFL Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Foster, said: “Rugby League is back, the Coral Challenge Cup is back and it’s exciting to restart coverage of the competition with a double header live on the BBC.

“We owe the BBC, Coral and the clubs a debt of gratitude for getting us to this stage, and we can now look forward to some rich entertainment from the fabulous athletes who play our game.

“It’s also fitting that this double header will take place in Huddersfield as we celebrate 125 Years of Rugby League almost to the day, and that famous meeting at The George Hotel at the end of August in 1895.”

The Coral Challenge Cup Quarter Finals will be played on the weekend of 18-20 September, with live coverage shared between the BBC and Sky Sports. Semi Finals will be held on Saturday 3 October, with the final two weeks later on Saturday 17, with all three games being shown live on BBC.