Rhinos drawn away at Thatto Heath or Widnes in Cup 3rd round

Leeds Rhinos will play away at the winners of the Betfred Challenge Cup second Round tie between Thatto Heath and Widnes Vikings in the Third Round of the competition. Third Round ties will be played over the weekend of February 6-8.

Leeds and Widnes have a long history in the Challenge Cup including famously the 1977 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. They have met 18 times in the dating back to the first meeting in 1899 when Widnes won 11-8 in the Third Round. Leeds have won the last two meetings in the Cup in 1999 and 2018. 

Leeds have never played Thatto Heath before but did play community opposition in last year's Third Round when Wests Warriors were defeated at AMT Headingley. 

Betfred Challenge Cup Round 3 fixtures:

• Rochdale Mayfield / Ince Rose Bridge OR Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity
• Thatto Heath OR Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos
• Wigan St Judes / Leigh Miners OR Barrow Raiders vs York Knights
• Batley Bulldogs OR Hunslet ARLFC vs Catalans Dragons
• North Wales Crusaders OR Bedford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards
• Castleford Lock Lane OR Brighouse vs Hull KR
• Blackbrook OR Workington Town vs St Helens
• Siddal / Waterhead OR Rochdale vs Wigan Warriors
• London Broncos OR Wests Warriors vs Bradford Bulls
• Sheffield Eagles OR Whitehaven vs Warrington Wolves
• Hammersmith Hills Hoist OR Salford RLFC vs Hull FC
• Stanningley / Dewsbury Moor OR Hunslet vs Huddersfield Giants
• Doncaster OR Newcastle Thunder vs Castleford Tigers
• Halifax OR Telford Raiders / London Chargers vs Woodhouse Warriors / Mirfield OR Goole Vikings
• Oldham OR Orrell St James vs Dewsbury Rams OR King Cross Park / West Hull
• Heworth / RAF OR Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes / Aberavon Fighting Irish

Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates

Second Round (Championship clubs enter) – Jan 24-25

Third Round (Super League clubs enter) – Feb 6-8

Fourth Round (last 16) – March 14-15

Quarter Finals – April 11-12

Semi Finals – May 9/10

Final – Saturday May 30

It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here today and enjoy our early bird prices!