BBC Sport has agreed an extended deal with the Rugby Football League (RFL) to broadcast live Challenge Cup matches until 2024.
The new three-year deal for the men’s competition will see the BBC TV continuing to cover two matches from the round of 16 and quarter-finals, followed by exclusive live coverage of both semi finals and the showpiece final at Wembley Stadium.
It will commence from 2022, marking 70 years since the first Challenge Cup Final was televised nationally on the BBC – Workington Town’s victory over Featherstone Rovers in 1952.
Alongside live network TV coverage of the concluding rounds of the competition, the BBC’s ground-breaking online and digital coverage of the early rounds of the competition, featuring teams and clubs from all sections of the community game, will also continue under the new deal, with live ties to be shown on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
In addition, the Women’s Challenge Cup Final will also air live on BBC TV for the next four seasons, along with the Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final which will be shown live on the BBC’s digital platforms.
This competition was won in 2019 for the first time by Leeds Rhinos, who currently hold all three Challenge Cups.
Commenting on the BBC’s new deal, Ralph Rimmer, RFL Chief Executive, said:
“As we near the end of a year of so many unprecedented challenges, we are delighted to have concluded a deal to extend the BBC’s coverage not only of the Challenge Cup, but also of the Women’s and Wheelchair competitions which we see as being so important to the future of our sport.
“The value of the sport’s enduring partnership with the BBC has never been more evident than in 2020, as we worked together on delivering a memorable Challenge Cup Final at Wembley despite the absence of fans, which attracted the strongest viewing figures for almost a decade.
“More recently, raising awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association has been bolstered by the BBC’s inspirational work with Rob Burrow and his family, culminating in their magnificent coverage of Kevin Sinfield’s heroic efforts.
“2021 will be another huge year for Rugby League on the BBC with their coverage of the World Cups to be staged in this country next October and November, so it is fitting that this new deal includes more exposure for the Women’s and Wheelchair Challenge Cup competitions.”
Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport added:
“Our strong relationship with the RFL goes back many years and we are delighted to continue bringing live coverage of the Challenge Cup, across BBC platforms to fans up to 2024.”
The 2021 Challenge Cup Final is set to be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 17 July, and will be broadcast exclusively live on BBC One.
In addition to regular live Challenge Cup action throughout the season, the BBC will broadcast exclusive coverage of the three 2021 Rugby League World Cups – Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair – which will take place in England next autumn, with 61 matches in total airing across the BBC’s TV and online platforms.
For a full list of all forthcoming major rugby league matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated rugby league on TV listings page.
