Wigan Warriors set to discover Challenge Cup opponents as third round draw details confirmed
Wigan Warriors will discover who they will face in the third round of the Challenge Cup on Monday, January 12, when the draw takes place.
The Warriors will enter the competition at the third-round stage like they did last year, when Matt Peet’s side earned a 48-12 win away at Sheffield Eagles.
Two-time Challenge Cup winner John Kear will join broadcaster Ross Fiddes to conduct the draw for the third round on Monday, January 12, at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield as part of the 2026 Championship season launch.
Kear confirmed at the end of 2025 that he was to retire after a long and successful coaching career, which included Challenge Cup triumphs with Sheffield Eagles in 1998 and Hull FC in 2005.
The format of the third round will be the same as in 2025, with Super League clubs drawn to face lower league opposition away from home.
The draw will feature 32 teams beginning with one ball drawn to face the 13 competing Super League clubs, with the remaining six balls drawn into three ties to complete the line-up.
Third round ties will be played over the weekend of February 6-8.
The Challenge Cup first round gets underway this weekend between some of the game’s most famed community clubs, whilst Championship clubs will enter in the second round, which takes place on the weekend of January 24-25.
Super League clubs will enter the third round before the fourth round takes place over the weekend of March 14-15.
The quarter-finals will be on April 11-12, the semi-finals on May 9-10, before the final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 30.