Current Structure
The modern Challenge Cup has 7 rounds prior to the final. Teams are seeded, entering at different stages. The precise format has altered slightly from year to year, however the basic format is as follows:
- Preliminary Round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom will be split into two pools.
- First round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom. Most of the teams are English and affiliated to BARLA. In 2008 the 54 teams entering at this stage are as follows:
- all 38 teams from the National Conference League
- the winners of the five major regional BARLA leagues
- the British Army
- the Royal Navy
- the Royal Air Force
- the university champions – Leeds Metropolitan University
- the Student Rugby League champions
- six representatives of the Rugby League Conference (including one each from Scotland and Wales)
- Second round: The twenty seven first round winners are joined by a Russian team.
- Third round: A further three French sides, and the twenty one semi-professional British clubs from the Rugby League National Leagues enter the draw with the fourteen winners from the second round.
- Fourth round: The fourteen Super League teams join the competition with the eighteen third round winners.
- Fifth round: Last 16
- Quarter Finals: Last eight
- Semi Finals: (played at neutral venues)
- Final
Read more about this topic: Challenge Cup
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