Challenge Cup triple header including men’s semi-finals and women’s final confirmed for 2020

The 2020 Women’s Challenge Cup final will be played at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday June 6, prior to the two men’s semi-finals.

It’s a repeat of the successful triple header that was played for the first time in 2019, with Leeds claiming glory in the women’s competition, and St Helens and Warrington securing their progress to the men’s final at Wembley.

All three games will again be shown live by the BBC, who have also confirmed an extension to their broadcast agreement until the end of 2021.

RFL chief executive, Ralph Rimmer, said: “We are delighted to be able to make these two really positive announcements ahead of the start of the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup – especially with the men’s First Round, and the start of the BBC’s coverage, taking place this weekend.

“The Challenge Cup remains one of the jewels in the crown of British sport and the BBC’s coverage, which crucially showcases the best of Rugby League to terrestrial viewers, is second to none. The BBC’s ongoing commitment to such a prestigious competition is a fantastic way for us to begin celebrating the 125th birthday of the sport of Rugby League.”

The BBC first covered the Challenge Cup Final in 1948 and has shown rugby’s oldest national knockout competition every year since 1958.

In 2020, BBC Sport will stream one fixture from each of the first five rounds of the Coral Challenge Cup, and televise two games from the Sixth Round and the Quarter Finals, before both Semi Finals and the Final from Wembley Stadium.

The Second Round draw will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Leeds on Tuesday evening (January 14).

The Coral Women’s Challenge Cup begins in March, with coverage of all rounds leading up to the final on the RFL’s Our League platform.