BBC Sport will continue their coverage of the Betfred Challenge Cup with the Third Round tie between Bradford Bulls and Castleford Tigers at Odsal Stadium on Sunday 9 February (KO 1pm).
Both the West Yorkshire clubs have a rich history in the competition, with the last of Bradford’s five Challenge Cup triumphs coming in 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and the Tigers having won the competition four times, the last of them at Wembley in 1986 – although they have reached three Wembley Finals since then, most recently in 2021.
The tie will be given added intrigue by the clubs’ coaching appointments for the 2025 season. Brian Noble, who was in charge of that last Cup triumph for Bradford in 2003 against Leeds Rhinos, has returned to the Bulls as head coach as they plot a return to the Betfred Super League.
Meanwhile the Tigers have appointed Danny McGuire, a member of the Leeds team beaten by Bradford in 2003, and a serial trophy winner himself.
The 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup has made a flying start with BBC Sport recording two of their highest recent viewing figures for their televised ties in each of the first two rounds – the all-community First Round tie between Waterhead Warriors and Leigh Miners Rangers, followed by last Saturday’s historic Second Round tie when Goole Vikings won their first ever match as a professional club at London Broncos.
The Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three ties are to be played over the weekend of 7-9 February with a full list of ties below...
Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three:
Friday February 7
- Workington Town v Leigh Leopards, KO 7.30pm
- Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Warriors, KO 7.30pm
- Keighley Cougars or York Knights v Hull KR (venue/KO TBC)
Saturday February 8
- Wests Warriors v Leeds Rhinos, KO 12pm
- York Acorn v Hull FC, KO 2pm
- West Hull v St Helens, KO 2pm
- Goole Vikings v Wakefield Trinity, KO 3pm
- Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons, KO 3pm
- Whitehaven v Warrington Wolves, KO 3pm
Sunday February 9
- Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers, KO 1pm - live on BBC iPlayer/BBC Sport/via the Red Button
- Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Rams, KO 2pm
- Featherstone Rovers v Ince Rose Bridge, KO 2pm
- Midlands Hurricanes v Salford Red Devils, KO 2pm
- North Wales Crusaders v Widnes Vikings, KO 2.30pm
- Oldham RLFC v Barrow Raiders, KO 3pm
- Hunslet RLFC v Huddersfield Giants, KO 3pm
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
