BBC Sport will televise live coverage of two third round ties from this year’s Betfred Challenge Cup.
All eight ties will be broadcast across TV and online streaming services, including two ties on BBC TV on Saturday, 10 April, while the rest will be available to watch online via Our League and The Sportsman over the weekend of 9-11 April.
The structure of this year’s Challenge Cup has been amended due to the impact of lockdown on community Rugby League, so the heavyweights of the Super League enter the competition, including cup holders Leeds Rhinos, entering at the third round stage.
Having covered the opening rounds of the competition online and via the Red Button, the BBC will launch their network Challenge Cup coverage in 2021 with a double header, starting with the clash between Super League champions St Helens and the Challenge Cup holders Leeds Rhinos, live on BBC One.
They have also selected the tie between Catalans Dragons and Wakefield Trinity, which will be shown on BBC Two (except in Wales), and during half-time in this tie the draw for the quarter-finals will be made.
A third tie will be available to watch free of charge via The Sportsman website, which will live stream the match between York City Knights and Wigan Warriors on Friday, 9 April, on its website, YouTube and Facebook channels.
The remaining five ties will be streamed live on the Rugby Football League’s Our League website and app on a pay-per-view basis – £4.95 early bird price, £10 on the day – with the revenues to be shared between the competing clubs.
The BBC recently extended its deal with the RFL to broadcast live Challenge Cup matches on free-to-air television until at least 2024.
In addition to regular live Challenge Cup matches and Super League highlights throughout the 2021 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.
Scroll down for full details of when and where to watch all the third round action from the Betfred Challenge Cup across BBC TV, Our League and The Sportsman.
The 2021 Challenge Cup quarter-finals will take place in early May and will be played as two double-headers, with Sky Sports to show two live ties on Friday, 7 May, and the BBC will broadcast the other two on the following day (8 May).
For a full list of all forthcoming major rugby league matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated rugby league on TV listings page.
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FRIDAY 9th APRIL
Hull KR v Castleford Tigers
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18:00 |
Our League |
York City Knights v Wigan Warriors
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19:45 |
The Sportsman |
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SATURDAY 10th APRIL
Salford Red Devils v Widnes Vikings
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12:30 |
Our League |
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos
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14:30 |
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Catalans Dragons v Wakefield Trinity
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17:00 |
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Featherstone Rovers v Hull FC
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19:00 |
Our League |
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SUNDAY 11th APRIL
Swinton Lions v Warrington Wolves
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12:30 |
Our League |
Leigh Centurions v Huddersfield Giants
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14:30 |
Our League |
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