Key Points
- Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium
- Holders versus 21-time winners
- Will Bevan French play?
2026 Challenge Cup Final Betting Preview
The Challenge Cup Final is the FA Cup of rugby league and this year cup holders Hull Kingston Rovers will take on Cup Kings and 21-time winners Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 30.
Our
rugby league expert and published author David Kuzio
will be at Wembley Stadium this weekend and during this guide he will explain who he thinks will win the game and where it will be won.
Challenge Cup Final Betting
Obviously there is just one game in the men's tournament this weekend, so I will not be doing an actual acca on the game. This section will just include who I think will win the Challenge Cup at Wembley Stadium.
It will not be a shock to regular readers that I am backing Wigan to win the Challenge Cup. This is not just blind loyalty, the Warriors are still hurting from not winning anything last season as they watched Hull KR collect all the pieces of silverware they picked up a year before.
Hull KR outplayed Wigan for large parts of the Grand Final last season, and Matt Peet, his players and supporters will never forget that feeling of defeat on the biggest stage. Peet works closely with his players and they are like a family, I feel he will have them mentally and physically prepared for this game.
It will not be a hammering, it might even go into the final five minutes of the game to find a winner. I am backing the Warriors and I am going for them with a winning margin of 1-7 points.
Challenge Cup Tips
Wigan Warriors to win - 23/20 @ QuinnBet
Wigan Warriors to win by 1-12 points - 9/4 @ Quinnbet
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Wigan Warriors vs Hull Kingston Rovers - Saturday, May 30th - 15:00 BST
The rivalry between Wigan Warriors and Hull Kingston Rovers has intensified over the past few years. There is no real hatred between the two clubs, they just happen to be the best two rugby league teams in England at the moment.
This is the first time these two teams will meet in the Challenge Cup Final. Wigan are seen as the Cup Kins with 21 Challenge Cup Final wins under their belt, while the Robins have only ever won the competition twice. That means nothing going into the game, because this is the best team Hull KR has ever produced.
These two teams met in Super League last weekend, but Wigan coach Matt Peet opted to rest all of his star performers, while Rovers went strong and ended up winning 62-4. Peet was criticised for naming all of his youngsters, but he is not the first coahc to do it and certainly will not be the last.
Rugby league fans have short memories when it comes to things like this. They see Wigan doing something and the pitchforks start to come out, forgetting their team likely did it years before.
That game has gone now and if Wigan win on Saturday, Peet will be hailed as a genius for resting the likes of Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Brad O'Neill, Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell.
Both teams have named their squads for the Challenge Cup with both Peet and Willie Peters playing mind games. Peet has named Bevan French in the Wigan squad 12 weeks after saying he would be out for 16 weeks with a torn hamstring. It was believed he would be back for Magic Weekend at a push, but this squad says otherwise.
Personally, I think it is mind games. I cannot see French playing at all on Saturday after a serious injury, but there will be doubt int he mid of Peters. Hull KR will have to train to play against French and without him. Smart from Peet.
Peters is playing his own games though. Dean Hadley was a major doubt with his own hamstring issue, while Jai Whitbread has also been selected despite his wife expecting his baby.
Hadley is a big risk - just like French - because of it being his hamstring. It is expected to be warm on Saturday and if he has any tightness in his hamstring, then he might not last five minutes.
I am backing Wigan to win this game by 1-12 points with Betfred. When it comes to scoring tries, I don't actually think it will be a high scoring affair. I am backing Zach Eckersley and Jake Wardle to score for the Warriors, while I expect Mickey Lewis to score at Wembley for the Robins.
Challenge Cup Final Betting Tips
Wigan Warriors to win - 11/10 @ Betfred
Wigan Warriors to win by 1-12 points - 2/1 @ Betfred
Zach Eckersley to score a try any time - 2/1 @ Betfred
Jake Wardle to score a try any time - 7/2 @ Betfred
Mikey Lewis to score a try any time - 6/4 @ Betfred
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Lance Todd Trophy Winner
The man of the match in the Challenge Cup Final will receive the Lance Todd Trophy award. It normally goes to the player who has been pivotal in his team winning the trophy, although on occasion the award has gone to a player on the losing side.
Last year, Warrington's Marc Sneyd won the Lance Todd Trophy award despite being on the losing side, while the likes of Chris McQueen, Niall Evalds, Kevin Sinfield, Gary Connolly, Robbie Paul, Eddie Cunningham, David Topliss, George Nicholls, Don Fox, Tommy Harris and Frank Whitcombe have done the same.
My tip for the 2026 Lance Todd Trophy this year is Wigan scrum-half Harry Smith. The number seven comes in for a lot of unfair criticism, but he is definitely a match winner. I felt he should have won it in 2022 when Huddersfield's McQueen won it from the losing side, while he came close in 2024 when he was pipped by team-mate Bevan French.
Smith will be the leader on the field for the Warriors, and I believe he will rise to the occasion. Once the Lance Todd Trophy odds have been revealed, I will be placing my bet on Smith. Other contenders for Wigan include Liam Farrell, Jai Field, Brad O'Neill and Junior Nsemba.
I am not forgetting the Robins, if Hull KR play well then the likes of Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten will be very close, while Tyrone May and Elliot Minchella will be influential as well.
David Kuzio's Lance Todd Trophy Winner Prediction
Harry Smith - 13/2 @ Bet365
Lance Todd Trophy Betting Odds
I have selected Harry Smith as my number one choice to win the Lance Todd Trophy at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, but below is a list of players that could be in the running. Odds are provided by Bet365.
Mikey Lewis - 9/2
Tyrone May - 11/2
Bevan French - 13/2
Harry Smith - 13/2
Jack Farrimond - 15/2
Jai Field - 15/2
Jez Litten - 15/2
Jack Broadbent - 12/1
Joe Burgess - 14/1
Adam Keighran - 16/1
Junior Nsemba - 16/1
Zach Eckersley - 16/1
Elliot Minchella - 18/1
Rhyse Martin - 20/1
Jake Wardle - 20/1
Karl Lawton - 20/1
Noah Hodkinson - 20/1
Sam Walters - 20/1
Dean Hadley - 25/1
Brad O'Neill - 33/1
Oliver Partington - 50/1
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First Try Scorer Rugby League Betting Odds @ Betfred
Here is a list of players that are capable of scoring the first try in the Challenge Cup Final this weekend. Remember, if your selected player scores first and scores a second later on, you will get double the odds.
Wigan Warriors vs Hull Kingston Rovers 1st Try Scorer Betting Tips
Joe Burgess - 8/1
Mikey Lewis 8/1
Tom Davies - 10/1
Jai Field - 10/1
Zach Eckersley - 10/1
Noah Hodkinson - 11/1
Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR Challenge Cup Final - Stats & Records
Previous Final meetings:
Wigan have won 2, Hull KR have won 1
Super League Grand Final
2025 Hull KR 24, Wigan 6 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
2024 Hull KR 2, Wigan 9 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
John Player Special Trophy Final
1985-86 Hull KR 8, Wigan 11 (at Elland Road, Leeds)
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
2024 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 6 Wigan 38
(at Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster)
2023 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 11 Wigan 10 (aet)
(at Headingley, Leeds)
2018 (Round 6) Hull KR 10 Wigan 28
2015 (Round 6) Wigan 12 Hull KR 16
(at Leigh Sports Village)
2013 (Round 5) Hull KR 14 Wigan 46
1990 (Round 1) Hull KR 4 Wigan 6
1985 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 11 Wigan 18
(at Elland Road, Leeds)
1980 (Round 1) Wigan 13 Hull KR 18
1970 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 8 Wigan 19
(at Headingley, Leeds)
1963 (Semi-Final) Hull KR 4 Wigan 18
(at Headingley, Leeds)
1953 (Quarter Final) Wigan 25 Hull KR 6
Last 10 meetings:
Hull KR 62, Wigan 4 (SLR12, 21/5/26)
Hull KR 24, Wigan 6 (SLGF, 11/10/25)
(at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wigan 6, Hull KR 10 (SLR22, 15/8/25)
Hull KR 12, Wigan 28 (SLR7, 11/4/25)
Hull KR 2, Wigan 9 (SLGF, 12/10/24)
(at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wigan 24, Hull KR 20 (SLR25, 6/9/24)
Hull KR 6, Wigan 38 (CCSF, 18/5/24)
(at Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster)
Hull KR 26, Wigan 10 (SLR9, 26/4/24)
Wigan 42, Hull KR 12 (SLSF, 7/10/23)
Wigan 64, Hull KR 6 (SLR21, 4/8/23)
Most finals and wins
21 wins in 33 finals by Wigan
Wembley: 18 wins in 26 finals by Wigan
Highest score
Leeds Rhinos 52 London Broncos 16 (at Wembley Stadium, 1999)
Widest margin
Leeds Rhinos 50 Hull Kingston Rovers 0 (at Wembley Stadium, 2015)
Most tries by a team
9 Leeds Rhinos (v Hull Kingston Rovers, 50-0) (at Wembley Stadium, 2015)
9 Leeds Rhinos (v London Broncos, 52-16) (at Wembley Stadium, 1999)
9 Huddersfield (v St Helens, 37-3) (at Watersheddings, Oldham, 1915)
Most points by a losing team
Bradford Bulls 32 St Helens 40 (at Wembley Stadium, 1996)
(also record aggregate of points - 72)
Most successful fightback
St Helens overcame the biggest deficit of 14 points to win a Final when they beat Bradford Bulls 40-32 at Wembley in 1996. The Saints trailed 26-12 from the 53rd to the 57th minute.
Biggest attendance
102,569 Halifax v Warrington (1954 replay at Odsal Stadium, Bradford)
Wembley: 99,801 Hull v Wigan (1985)
Most tries by a player
5 Tom Briscoe (Leeds Rhinos) in the 50-0 defeat of Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley in 2015
Most goals by a player
8 Iestyn Harris (Leeds Rhinos) in the 52-16 defeat of London Broncos at Wembley in 1999
8 Cyril Kellett (Featherstone Rovers) in the 33-14 defeat of Bradford Northern at Wembley in 1973
Most points by a player
20 Tom Briscoe (5 tries) in Leeds Rhinos' 50-0 defeat of Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley in 2015
20 Iestyn Harris (1 try, 8 goals) in Leeds Rhinos’ 52-16 defeat of London Broncos at Wembley in 1999
20 Neil Fox (2 tries, 7 goals) in Wakefield Trinity’s 38-5 defeat of Hull at Wembley in 1960
Most appearances
11 Shaun Edwards (Wigan 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995; London Broncos 1999) – all at Wembley
Most wins
9 Shaun Edwards - as above, except loser in 1984 and 1999
Betfred Challenge Cup Betting Offers
Betfred is the principal sponsor of Super League and the Challenge Cup, so it makes sense that they are running a couple of special offers ahead of this weekend.
Below is the Betfred offers that will go hand in hand with the Challenge Cup Final.
Double Delight
This Betfred offer runs throughout the whole campaign and gives rugby league betting fans a great incentive to get involved. The Double Delight offer sees punters receive double the odds when their selected player scores the opening try of the game and then goes on to score another later in the game.
Price Boost
Zach Eckersley has scored nine tries in the Challenge Cup this season for Wigan, while Hull KR winger Tom Davies scored the winning try for Rovers in their 8-6 win over Warrington Wolves in the 2025 Challenge Cup Final. Both wingers can be match winners, so Betfred has them available at 10/1 to both score tries.
Zach Eckersley & Tom Davies to both score a try - 10/1 @ Betfred
Price Boost
Wigan Warriors and Wigan Warriors Women are both in their respective Challenge Cup Finals. The men's team have won 21 Challenge Cup Finals in their history, while the women are the defending cup holders. Betfred has them in double handicap price boost. Wigan men +2 and Wigan women -12 can be backed at 3/1.
Wigan Men +2 & Wigan Women -12 @ 3/1 @ Betfred
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Betfred Highlights
- Variety of betting markets
- "Pick Your Punt" feature
- Daily draw prizes of £800 from a £1 stake
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
Where Can I Live Stream The Challenge Cup Final?
Sky Sports is the main broadcaster for Super League and they promise to show every single game live each week. They will broadcast a main game on their TV channels, but if a game kicks off at the same time on the same day then it will be streamed on their Sky Sports + red button channel.
This weekend it is the Challenge Cup, so no games will be shown live on Sky Sports. The Challenge Cup Final will be shown live on the BBC with a 3pm kick-off. This means the Challenge Cup Final will also be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer.
Once the Challenge Cup is over, you will be able to stream Super League matches online. Bet365 will be offering
live streaming on Super League games this season. Which ever games are not being shown on the Sky Sports main channel, then they will be streamed live at Bet365. There will be no commentary on the matches, but you will see the live pictures.
Bet365 Highlights
- New customer offer: £30 in free bets
- Promotional offers linked to specific sports
- Excellent football betting odds
Open Account Offer Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
