The 2025 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition gets underway this weekend, with the three Preliminary Round One ties taking place.
This will be the sixth instalment of the 1895 Cup where, so far, there have been five different winners of five different finals since the competition was first integrated in 2019.
Could there be another new winner in 2025?
The 11 Betfred League One clubs will kick off the competition with two preliminary rounds, while the 12 English Betfred Championship clubs have been seeded into the First Round proper.
On Saturday, Rochdale will host Cornwall. The Hornets have won all four of their previous home meetings with the Choughs, including a high scoring affair last August – in which Rochdale won 46-32 on home soil.
Then, on Sunday, Midlands Hurricanes take on Whitehaven for the first time since 2019, while Newcastle Thunder entertain North Wales Crusaders.
The three winners will join the remaining eight League One clubs in Preliminary Round Two, before those four winners proceed into the First Round proper.
The Preliminary Round One (February 1/2):
Midlands Hurricanes v Whitehaven RLFC
Rochdale Hornets v Cornwall
Newcastle Thunder v North Wales Crusaders
The Preliminary Round Two (February 15/16):
Goole Vikings v Newcastle Thunder or North Wales Crusaders
Workington Town v Dewsbury Rams
Rochdale Hornets or Cornwall RLFC v Swinton Lions
Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes or Whitehaven RLFC
Details of the First Round proper draw can be found here.
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup and Men's 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final. Tickets are on sale now!
