Wigan Warriors to learn Challenge Cup opponents in Monday's third round draw as ball numbers confirmed
Wigan Warriors will discover who they will face in the third round of the Challenge Cup, with the draw taking place on Monday afternoon.
The Warriors, along with 12 of their Super League rivals – excluding French side Toulouse Olympique – will go into the hat for the third round draw this afternoon, with Matt Peet’s side ball number 31.
Two-time Challenge Cup-winning head coach John Kear will draw the ties at Wakefield Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium.
The third round draw could get a little complicated, with the likelihood that clubs, including Wigan, will be given three potential opponents in Monday’s draw.
This is because only eight of the 17 first-round ties scheduled over the weekend went ahead, with nine games being postponed due to the wintry weather brought to the UK by Storm Goretti. The postponed matches will take place this weekend – January 17-18 – instead.
Second-round ties will then follow over the weekend of January 24-25 as the Championship sides enter the competition before the third round on February 7-8 – the weekend before the start of the Super League season.
Wigan and the other Super League sides are guaranteed to face lower league opposition away from home, as was the case last year. The Warriors picked up a 48-12 away win at Sheffield Eagles in 2025.
Ball numbers for the Challenge Cup third round draw: 1. Batley Bulldogs/Hunslet ARLFC, 2. Blackbrook/Workington Town, 3. Brighouse Rangers/Lock Lane, 4. Dewsbury Rams/King Cross Park/West Hull, 5. Doncaster/Newcastle Thunder, 6. Halifax Panthers/Telford Raiders/London Chargers, 7. Hammersmith Hills Hoists/Salford Red Devils, 8. Heworth/RAF/Keighley Cougars, 9. London Broncos/Wests Warriors, 10. Midlands Hurricanes/Aberavon Fighting Irish, 11. North Wales Crusaders/Bedford Tigers, 12. Oldham/Orrell St James, 13. Rochdale Mayfield/Ince Rose Bridge/Swinton Lions, 14. Sheffield Eagles/Whitehaven, 15. Siddal/Waterhead/Rochdale Hornets, 16. Stanningley/Dewsbury Moor/Hunslet, 17. Thatto Heath Crusaders/Widnes Vikings, 18. Wigan St Judes/Leigh Miners Rangers/Barrow Raiders, 19. Woodhouse Warriors/Mirfield Spartans/Goole Vikings, 20. Bradford Bulls, 21. Castleford Tigers, 22. Catalans Dragons, 23. Huddersfield Giants, 24. Hull FC, 25. Hull KR, 26. Leeds Rhinos, 27. Leigh Leopards, 28, St Helens, 29. Wakefield Trinity, 30. Warrington Wolves, 31. Wigan Warriors, 32. York Knights.