Wigan, Hull KR, St Helens Face Off in Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley
The Story
The men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals are set for May 30, 2026, at Wembley Stadium. Wigan Warriors face Hull KR in the men’s final, while St Helens Women take on Wigan Warriors Women in the women’s final. The women’s match kicks off at 11:45am, followed by the men’s at 3pm.
Key Facts
- The men’s final is between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR; the women’s final is between St Helens Women and Wigan Warriors Women.
- Both finals take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Wembley Stadium.
- Women’s final starts at 11:45am, men’s final at 3pm.
- St Helens captain Jodie Cunningham and vice-captain Emily Rudge will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
- Cunningham and Rudge, both 34, have played together since 2005.
- Wigan Warriors Women defeated St Helens Women 42-6 in the 2025 Challenge Cup final.
- Wigan Warriors completed the treble in 2024; Hull KR matched the feat in 2025.
- Wigan head coach Matt Peet’s only major final loss came against Hull KR in the 2025 Grand Final.
- Mikey Lewis’ conversion in the 2025 Challenge Cup final gave Hull KR their first major trophy since 1895.
- Five rugby league legends are immortalised in bronze statues outside Wembley: Eric Ashton, Billy Boston, Martin Offiah, Alex Murphy, and Gus Risman.
- Rugby league’s Challenge Cup competition dates back to 1896.
- This story is based on a single source – Sky Sports.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Matt Peet (Wigan Warriors head coach)
- Willie Peters (Hull KR head coach)
- Jodie Cunningham (St Helens Women captain)
- Emily Rudge (St Helens Women vice-captain)
- Mikey Lewis (Hull KR player)
- Eric Ashton, Billy Boston, Martin Offiah, Alex Murphy, Gus Risman (rugby league legends commemorated in statues)
Sources: Sky Sports
