With the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup competition well underway, we've taken a look at some of the biggest Challenge Cup shocks in recent history.
But perhaps the most famous cup upset of all time came in 1998 when Sheffield Eagles incredibly beat the all-conquering Wigan at Wembley.
John Kear’s men stunned a star-studded Wigan outfit and were always leading from start to finish - eventually running out 17-8 victors on what was a truly memorable afternoon.
These two sides will meet again in Round Three this weekend, and with clubs from the Betfred Super League all the way down to community level now involved in the competition, could there be any more upsets on the cards?
Let's check out some of the top Challenge Cup shocks to have taken place throughout the 2010s…
Leigh's back-to-back wins over Super League opposition (2015)
Championship side Leigh [then Centurions] were unstoppable in 2015 and managed to overturn two lots of Super League opposition in the Challenge Cup that same year.
In the Fifth Round, Leigh hosted Salford Red Devils and two late tries from Ryan Brierley and Johnathan Pownall ensured the hosts progressed into Round Six.
They were then faced with a daunting task of travelling to Belle Vue to play Wakefield Trinity – although they were a side who were rooted to the bottom of the Super League table with just two wins under their belt.
But with a mass following of jubliant Leythers, the Championship leaders would go on to produce an amazing second-half comeback to upset Wakefield on their home patch and reach the Challenge Cup quarter finals.
Wakefield had led 24-6 at the break, but a rather late resurgence from the visitors meant they somehow managed to bring the scores to 30-30, before former Trinity man Oliver Wilkes found a burst of speed to run in for the winning try in the dying minutes.
Although Leigh would eventually bow out of the competition with a 34-24 defeat to Warrington Wolves, it’s a cup run that certainly won’t be forgotten, with a Championship outfit pushing three top tier sides all the way.
Leigh [now Leopards] will travel to Cumbria for their Round Three tie this weekend and take on Workington Town.
Hull KR v Oldham (Fifth Round, 2016)
Championship side Oldham stunned Hull KR to reach the last 16 in 2016.
The Roughyeds, who had been sitting at the lower end of the second tier table, led by 18 points at the break, and pulled off a sensational 22-36 victory at Craven Park.
A Championship team knocking out a Super League side is a massive shock at any time, but the fact that the Robins had been Challenge Cup Finalists the previous year was especially hard to fathom.
2016 was a year to forget for the Robins anyway, who were relegated in dramatic fashion in that year’s Million Pound Game.
Hull KR will travel to face York in Round Three - a tie which will be streamed live on The Sportsman, while Oldham host Barrow Raiders.
Huddersfield Giants v Swinton Lions (Fifth Round, 2017)
Second tier Swinton knocked Super League strugglers Huddersfield Giants out of the Challenge Cup Fifth Round (24-28) at the John Smith’s Stadium back in 2017.
Giants, who finished eighth in the league that year, were undone by Luke Waterworth’s 76-minute try for the Lions.
It was definitely an unforgettable occasion for part-timers Swinton, who ended up winning just a total of six league games that season.
Huddersfield have an away tie at Hunslet in the Third Round this weekend, whereas Swinton's 2025 Challenge Cup journey came to an end in Round Two with a 24-12 loss to Whitehaven.
Thatto Heath Crusaders v North Wales Crusaders (Fourth Round, 2019)
2019 had all the Challenge Cup drama!
First, North Wales Crusaders were knocked out of the Challenge Cup in Round Four by amateur club Thatto Heath Crusaders.
Thatto Heath took the spoils with a superb 16-14 victory, despite a late comeback from North Wales which almost sent the game into golden point extra time.
They earned a tie at home to Dewsbury Rams, as a result.
Four community teams remain in this year's Challenge Cup competition, with three set to face Super League big guns in glamour ties this weekend. North Wales Crusaders, on the other hand, will host Widnes Vikings.
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos (Sixth Round, 2019)
This 2019 Challenge Cup shock was also another one of John Kear’s masterminds, as Championship side Bradford Bulls shocked Super League’s Leeds Rhinos to reach the quarter finals.
Stalwart Kear had helped to revive the Bulls after years of lows, including relegation from top flight in 2014 and their liquidation three seasons later.
And as the Bulls welcomed their arch nemesis to a rocking Odsal in front of the BBC cameras, the audience were in for a classic Challenge Cup treat.
There was no love lost between the two former Super League giants as they renewed their fierce Rugby League rivalry in what was a truly nail-biting contest.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, Bradford impressively led 22-14 at half-time and found themselves defending for their lives after the interval.
Leeds almost forced extra-time when Tom Briscoe crossed late on, but Liam Sutcliffe's conversion hit the post, and the Bulls held out for one of their biggest wins in recent times.
Bradford will host Castleford Tigers in a blockbuster Round Three clash this weekend (live on BBC Sport) - could they possibly overturn another Super League side on home turf?
Meanwhile, Leeds will welcome Southern Conference League's Wests Warriors to AMT Headingley Stadium.
Halifax’s cup run (2019)
It was a fine Challenge Cup run for ‘Fax in 2019 and one that genuinely encapuslated the magic of the cup.
Their head coach, Simon Grix, took over midway through the 2019 campaign and enjoyed instant success, guiding the club to a historic Challenge Cup semi-final.
They became the first Championship side in 13 years to reach the final four of the Challenge Cup following a hard-fought win over Bradford Bulls in the quarter finals.
And Halifax's journey to the semis included a number of epic results along the way, including a shock 24-16 win over London Broncos in Round 5, who were a Super League side at the time.
Firm underdogs, they would eventually come up short against 13-time winners St Helens on neutral territory at the home of Bolton Wanderers, but nevertheless, it was a valiant effort from the Blue & White.
This weekend, Halifax will take on Catalans Dragons live on The Sportsman.
The sixteen Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round ties can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre.
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!
