Coral announce Rugby League Challenge Cup sponsorship
Published:
Deal includes women’s Challenge Cup for the first time
We’re thrilled to announce a historic partnership with the Rugby Football League to sponsor the 2019 men’s and women’s Challenge Cups.
The Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final will share the stage with the men’s semi-finals in a thrilling triple header at the University of Bolton on Saturday 27th July.
The men’s Coral Challenge Cup Final will then take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 24th August.
The two-year deal covers the 2019 and 2020 Challenge Cup Finals.
Ralph Rimmer, RFL chief executive said: “This is a really significant day both for the Challenge Cup, and for women’s Rugby League.
“The men’s Challenge Cup is one of the iconic competitions and trophies of British sport, with more than 120 years of history, and the famous Wembley final televised live to the nation and the world by the BBC.
“The Women’s Challenge Cup may not have that history, but Coral’s enthusiasm for it to be part of a joint sponsorship deal confirms our determination that it is set for a really exciting future.
“With Coral’s name now linked to both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cups, it’s equally exciting to be able to extend the double header for the men’s semi-finals that proved such a big hit last year, and now incorporate the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
“The University of Bolton Stadium proved a popular venue for the sold-out double header last summer, so we’re delighted to be going back for a triple header in 2019.
“We are confident that thousands of the supporters of the teams who reach the semi-finals of the men’s Coral Challenge Cup will also take the opportunity to watch the outstanding spectacle provided by our best women’s teams – and that will ensure their skills and athleticism are seen by the record audience they deserve.”
Adrian Osman, the Head of Sponsorship and Events at Coral, said: “The Rugby League Challenge Cup and the final at Wembley are flagship events in British sport, and we are delighted that Coral’s name will now be associated with them in this significant deal. In addition, the opportunity to get involved with women’s sport and the development of women’s Rugby League as the first title sponsors of the Women’s Challenge Cup is hugely exciting for us – and combining the final with the semi-finals of the Coral Challenge Cup should produce another great event. We’re really looking forward to seeing the two competitions unfold through the spring and summer.”
Leeds Rhinos will be looking to triumph in the Women’s Challenge Cup again, while the RFL today confirmed that the Catalans Dragons will also return to defend the Coral Challenge Cup. The French side will enter at the sixth-round stage in May.
Coral Challenge Cup 2019
First Round Jan 26-27, Second Round Feb 9-10, Third Round March 9-10, Fourth Round March 30-31, Fifth Round April 13-14, Sixth Round May 11-12.
Quarter Finals June 1-2.
Semi Finals – Saturday 27 July, University of Bolton Stadium (triple header, also including Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final)
Final – Saturday 24 August, Wembley Stadium, 230pm.
(Dates for earlier rounds of Coral Women’s Challenge Cup to be confirmed shortly)
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
