The draw for the group stages of the 2024 Betfred Women's Challenge Cup will take place on Wednesday!
The draw for the group stage of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup will be made live on BBC Radio Merseyside this Wednesday (Jan 10) at 6.30pm.
Joining Giulia Bould will be another champion of women’s sport – the former Rugby League broadcaster and UCLan Lecturer in Journalism and Sport, Angela Powers, who will make the draw.
Angela has been a strong voice for the women’s game throughout her distinguished career, and in 2013 launched Her Rugby League Association to introduce more women to the sport, while celebrating those already contributing to its success.
Wednesday’s draw will see 16 clubs drawn into four groups of four, with 12 teams seeded on the basis of their finishing positions in last year’s Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) and the remaining four places taken by invitational teams. These include Sheffield Eagles who, following an impressive Championship campaign in 2023, could make their Challenge Cup bow against current holders St Helens or reigning BWSL champions York Valkyrie.
This year’s competition will kick-off on the weekend of March 16/17 – the start of the road to Wembley Stadium, where the final will be staged for only the second time on Saturday June 8. The group stage concludes on the weekend of April 6/7, with the four group winners earning a home tie quarter final against one of the runners-up. These ties will be drawn live on air immediately after the group stage draw.
Group stage ball numbers
Pot 1
- York Valkyrie
- Leeds Rhinos
- St Helens
- Wigan Warriors
Pot 2
- Warrington Wolves
- Huddersfield Giants
- Featherstone Rovers
- Barrow Raiders
Pot 3
- Leigh Leopards
- Salford Red Devils
- Bradford Bulls
- Castleford Tigers
Pot 4
- Hull KR
- Sheffield Eagles
- London Broncos
- Cardiff Demons
The draw itself will be similar to the draw for the group stage of UEFA’s Champions League. Each group will have one team drawn from each of the above pots. Teams will play three group matches, with fixtures to be confirmed as soon as possible following the draw.
BBC Radio Merseyside is available in all areas via the BBC Sounds app, and in the North West on DAB (1485) and 95.8FM. The Women’s 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.
