Rugby Fans Eager to Visit Wembley for Showpiece Events
For rugby league enthusiasts, the chance to walk down Wembley Way and witness their team compete in a national final is a rare and cherished experience. While the Challenge Cup final has traditionally been the sole occasion to grace the hallowed turf, recent years have seen a slight expansion with the introduction of the 1895 Cup.
Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup Finals
This year, the Challenge Cup final on June 8 will feature one of Wigan Warriors & Hull KR, as well as one of Warrington Wolves & Huddersfield Giants. Joining them will be Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Trinity, who will lock horns in the 1895 Cup final. Aside from Wakefield, all of these clubs have graced the ‘new’ Wembley before, with Wakefield’s most recent appearance at the ‘old’ Wembley dating back to 1979.
Clubs Yet to Reach Wembley
However, not all rugby league teams and their supporters have had the privilege of experiencing a showpiece event at the national stadium. Our research has uncovered 10 clubs currently competing in the top three tiers of the British game who are yet to reach Wembley in any capacity. These include Cornwall, Doncaster, Midlands Hurricanes, Newcastle Thunder, North Wales Crusaders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Swinton Lions, Toulouse Olympique, and Whitehaven.
“While some of these clubs, such as Oldham and Rochdale Hornets, have lifted the Challenge Cup in the past, their triumphs came at alternative venues prior to Wembley becoming the competition’s permanent home. For the newer entrants to the professional leagues, like Cornwall and Midlands Hurricanes, the prospect of a Wembley appearance remains elusive.”
As rugby league enthusiasts eagerly await the showpiece events at the national stadium, the 10 clubs on this list will be hoping that their day in the sun at Wembley is just around the corner. The opportunity to walk down that famous Wembley Way is one that every true fan craves, and these teams will be striving to make that dream a reality in the seasons to come.
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