Since 1923, Wembley Stadium has been a place where legends become legendary, elation meets heartbreak, and where history is made.

28^th April 2023, marks 100 years of the national stadium. Join the day-long celebration today, whether that's sharing a #Wembley100 birthday message on social.

Don't forget Leeds Rhinos begin their next March to the Arch on Saturday 20th May when we face Wigan Warriors at Headingley in the Sixth Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup. Ticket details will be out next week how you can be there to see all the action. You can book your ticket now to be at Wembley to enjoy Rugby League's biggest showcase came in the capital this year by clicking here. 

We thought we would pick out ten Wembley memories to mark the occasion, in no particular order

Briscoe’s five to secure first leg of historic treble

Leeds went back to Wembley in 2015 as holders of the Challenge Cup and faced a resurgent Hull KR. The game was set to be Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock’s final Wembley appearance and the Rhinos did not disappoint as Tom Briscoe scored a record five tries to win the Lance Todd Trophy and secure a historic 50-0 win over the Robins. 

Ward’s boys make it a double

Back in 1978, captain David Ward inspired his side to back to back Challenge Cup wins at the old Wembley with a titanic battle against St Helens. Leeds secured victory thanks to drop goals from Ward and John Holmes added to tries from John Atkinson, David Smith and Phil Cookson. The drama continued right until the final hooter as Noonan knocked on for Saints with the line at his mercy and Leeds were Cup winners again in front of a crowd of 96,000 fans. 

Leeds defeat Barrow to lift Cup

In the 1957 Challenge Cup Final, it had been expected that the Golden Boy, Lewis Jones, would light up the Wembley stage for Leeds against Barrow. The man who would go on to lead the club to their first ever Championship just four years later made his only Wembley appearance but was unable to reproduce his incredible form. He did set up Leeds for their second try, setting up Delmos Hodgkinson, but Leeds were made to work hard by Willie Horne’s Barrow side before winning out 9-7.

Red card drama as Leigh beat Leeds

The first ever red card in the Challenge Cup Final was shown to Syd Hynes as Leeds were defeated by Leigh in the 1971 Wembley showdown. The events surrounding the sending off have been surrounded by debate ever since with the tale going that Alex Murphy winked to the Leeds players as he was being taken off. Whatever the accuracy, the story has gone down in Wembley folklore ever since. 

Brough boots Leeds to glory

In 1936, Leeds and Warrington attracted a then record crowd of 51,250 to Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final. Record-breaking Australian winger Eric Harris was expected to be the star of the show on the wide open spaces of Wembley but he created the opening try with a cross field kick that was collected by Welsh international Iowerth Issac. Despite Warrington appeals for offside the score was awarded in the 8^th minute.  Harris crossed for a try in the 66^th minute after Fred Harris had increased Leeds’ lead. The men from Headingley secured victory with a fourth try from Gwyn Parker to win their first Wembley final and the club’s fourth Challenge Cup in total. 

Poor, poor lad

Any list of iconic Wembley moments has to include the infamous 1968 Watersplash Final. A torrential downpour before play looked to have made the Wembley surface unplayable but, with 87,100 fans packed inside Wembley and the rain having eased, the decision was taken to kick off. The game ebbed and flowed much like the pools of water on the famous surface. Leeds looked to have struck a decisive blow when they were awarded a penalty try through referee Hebblethwaite. Two minutes from time, Bev Risman extended the lead with a penalty, expecting time to be up after he kicked the ball. But there was still time left to restart and Wakefield found a way through after the kick off held up in the wet for Hirst to score for Trinity. Don Fox had a routine kick for the brilliant goal kicker to win the game but struck the ball wide and the Cup was Leeds again. 

Four for Leroy in Final Wembley Final

Leeds brought down the curtain on the old Wembley Stadium with a masterclass of attacking rugby that saw Leeds-born winger Leroy Rivett run in four tries to win the Lance Todd Trophy in 1999. The newly named Rhinos took on London Broncos in the capital, then owned international tycoon Richard Branson. The game was in the balance at half time but Barrie McDermott’s try just after the break broke the Broncos resolve and Rivett enjoyed his day in the sunshine in front of 73,242 fans at Wembley. 

Leeds defy the form book to beat Cup Kings

In the Jubilee Year in 1977, Leeds upset the form book to beat the Cup Kings, Widnes at Wembley 16-7 with 19 year old Kevin Dick a star of the show with ten points for Syd Hynes’ men. 

The Leeds players had to deal with tragedy coming into the match when team mate Chris Sanderson collapsed and died during a game at Salford just 13 days before the date at Wembley. 

Widnes were in their third successive Wembley Final whilst Leeds were looking for their first victory under the Twin Towers since 1968 after defeats in 1971 and 1972. Widnes led 7-5 at the break but Leeds’ forward pack, led by Lance Todd trophy winner Steve Pitchford fought back after the break.  A memorable try from Les Dyl set Leeds on their way before subsequent scores from John Atkinson and Dick, who also added three goals and drop goal for good measure late on. 

The Golden Generation get their Golden crown

The Golden Generation at Leeds Rhinos had more than their fair share of heartache at Wembley in 2014. Three successive defeats in 2010, 2011 and 2012 would have been enough for most to spare themselves of a return to the Arch. However, that generation of Leeds players finally got their hands on the famous Challenge Cup trophy in 2014 with Ryan Hall bulldozing his way over the Castleford Tigers defence for two tries before a late Danny McGuire drop goal sealed victory and kick started the celebrations in front of 77,914 fans. 

The Behind-Closed-Doors Final

The 2020 Leeds Rhinos squad have a unique place in Wembley history as the only team to ever lift the Challenge Cup trophy with not a single fan in the stadium. Because of the global pandemic, the match against Salford was played behind closed doors against Salford Red Devils but the two teams still served up a classic as Luke Gale’s late drop goal won the match. The celebrations in the dressing room afterwards will live long in the memories of those who were there with nowhere to go and no one to see, the team just savoured the moment long into the night.