With hundreds of different betting sites, finding the best can be confusing. I'll guide you through and find the most suitable bookie for you.
Challenge Cup Information
We are going to look at the new season of the Challenge Cup in this blog and look at who is the favourite for the title this year!
We are also going to look back at past champions and which teams have been dominant in this league.
Additionally, we will look at things from a betting perspective, things like how favourites in this cup perform.
The Best Rugby Betting Sites in the UK 2026
Challenge Cup Preview
Who won the 2026 Challenge Cup?
Wigan Warriors made it to their third final in five years and their 34th final overall, where they faced the reigning champions Hull Kingston Rovers.
The most successful team in the history of the Challenge Cup, Wigan Warriors, added yet another title to their name, number 22 and their third in five seasons.
In front of 56,383 fans at Wembley Stadium, it was one of the most dominating finals for some time, with Wigan coming out 40-10 winners, the biggest winning margin since Leeds 50-0 win in 2015 over Hull KR.
Wigan Warriors scrum-half Jack Farrimond won the Lance Todd Trophy by being named man of the match.
When is the 2027 Challenge Cup?
The 2027 Challenge Cup will take place on similar dates, with the dates to be released closer to the new season.
Who are the favourites to win the Challenge Cup?
Heading into the new tournament, Wigan Warriors, St. Helens, Warrington and Hull KR are all expected to be at the head of the market once again.
Who will win the Challenge Cup?
Can Wigan make it two on the bounce? Could Hull KR make a third final on the bounce and win this time?
You can see which team the OLBG rugby tipsters are tipping for success this season, as well as their picks throughout the season.
Who are OLBG's top Rugby League Tipsters? OLBG's experts regularly make substantial profits on their Rugby League tips. Make sure you check their latest selections.
What is the Challenge Cup Format?
There are seven rounds of the Challenge Cup, starting with 34 UK-based community teams in the first round.
In the second round, we see all 21 teams from the Championship enter the competition.
Then, in round three, the fourteen Super League teams enter the competition, which is a very similar setup to the FA Cup, just with fewer teams.
Challenge Cup Past Winners
Wigan Warriors won their third title in five years when defeating Hull KR in 2026, having also won it in 2022 & 2024.
Hull KR's success in 2025 ended a long wait for the title, with the only previous win coming back in 1980, a 45-year wait to lift the cup for a second time!
Wigan are the most successful team with 22 wins, that is seven ahead of Leeds on 14, and the only other team in double-figures is St Helens with 13.
Here are the last ten Challenge Cup Champions:
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wigan Warriors | 40-10 | Hull KR |
| 2025 | Hull KR | 8-6 | Warrington Wolves |
| 2024 | Wigan Warriors | 18-8 | Warrington Wolves |
| 2023 | Leigh Leopards | 17-16 | Hull KR |
| 2022 | Wigan Warriors | 16-14 | Huddersfield Giants |
| 2021 | St. Helens | 26-12 | Castleford Tigers |
| 2020 | Leeds Rhinos | 17-16 | Salford Red Devils |
| 2019 | Warrington Wolves | 18-4 | St. Helens |
| 2018 | Catalans Dragons | 20-14 | Warrington Wolves |
| 2017 | Hull FC | 18-14 | Wigan Warriors |
Challenge Cup Favourite Statistics
Favourites seem to have been much more reliable in recent seasons. After dipping to 68% in 2020, it took a big jump in 2021 to 85% and remained in the 80s for the next two seasons, with 81% in 2022 and 84% in 2023.
It did dip in 2024 with 74% of favourites being successful, and then rose again in 2025 to 91% and was 89% in 2026, but if you look at the average between 2015 & 2020, only 73% of favourites won compared to the last six seasons, where on average 84% of favourites won, so quite a difference of late.
| Year | Favourites | Winners | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 45 | 34 | 75.56% |
| 2018 | 79 | 57 | 72.15% |
| 2019 | 48 | 38 | 79.17% |
| 2020 | 41 | 28 | 68.29% |
| 2021 | 27 | 23 | 85.19% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26 | 81.25% |
| 2023 | 43 | 36 | 83.72% |
| 2024 | 62 | 46 | 74.19% |
| 2025 | 34 | 31 | 91.18% |
| 2026 | 27 | 24 | 88.89% |
| Total | 438 | 343 | 78.31% |
Rugby League Tournament Favourites Comparison
Here is a comparison between some of the top rugby league tournaments (Knockouts) for winning favourites.
Here is a comparison between some of the top rugby league tournaments (Knockouts) for winning favourites.
| League | Games | Winning Favs | Overall Fav % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Womens World Cup | 27 | 24 | 88.89% |
| World Cup | 97 | 79 | 81.44% |
| Challenge Cup | 438 | 337 | 76.94% |
Challenge Cup Records
Which team has won the most Challenge Cups?
Wigan Warriors are well ahead of the rest when it comes to the number of Challenge Cup wins, having won it 22 times, their first coming in 1924 and their most recent in 2026.
They are seven ahead of Leeds Rhinos, who have fourteen wins, and then the only other club with double-figure wins is St. Helens with thirteen titles.
Who has made it to the most Challenge Cup finals?
Having won eight titles more than anyone else, you would expect Wigan Warriors, and you would be correct, because, as well as their 22 titles, they have also been beaten finalists 12 times, making it 34 final appearances.
Very much like the number of titles won, it is Leeds Rhinos (26) and St. Helens (23) who come next on the list for the number of final appearances.
Warrington Wolves are fourth on the list, with nine titles. They have made the final a total of 21 times because they have been beaten 12 times, and they have lost more than they have won, making the final.
Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. The data in this Challenge Cup Preview & Betting Guide is managed by Andy Powell, who looks after the Rugby Tipsters and results in the Rugby Tips Section. Our Commercial Content Manager, Luke Bradshaw-Lee, is a keen Rugby fan; he fact-checks the article for accuracy and publication. Together, they produce our Rugby Union Previews and Rugby League Previews.
*Statistics include previous matches where odds history has been available on oddsportal.
Andy Powell
Expert Guide
Luke Bradshaw Lee
- Your Sports Betting Guide đź‘Ť
