Sports betting operator Betfred has enhanced its partnership with the Rugby Football League (RFL), clinching the title sponsorships to all three Challenge Cup Finals.
The two-year agreement between the bookmaker and rugby league governing body will see Betfred sponsor the men’s, women’s and wheelchair 2022 and 2023 Challenge Cup Finals, due to be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Respectively.
As a result the fixtures will be branded as the Betfred Challenge Cup Final, with the Tottenham Hotspur-hosted match marking the first time a rugby league fixture has been played at the Premier League club’s 62,850 seat stadium since opening in October 2019 as England’s third largest football ground.
Ralph Rimmer, RFL Chief Executive, remarked: “It’s fantastic news for the sport to be able to confirm Betfred as title partners for the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Challenge Cups for two more years – and to take our traditional showpiece to a magnificent new venue at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2022 before we return to Wembley in 2023.
“We were thrilled when Betfred extended their significant involvement in Rugby League to include the Challenge Cups in 2021. It came at a time of considerable uncertainty for all sport and has been crucial in allowing us to enjoy three memorable Betfred Challenge Cup campaigns, with all they mean to Rugby League communities – with St Helens victorious both in the Women’s competition in June and again at Wembley last month when they beat Castleford in a compelling final and a superb occasion.”
Additionally, the first Betfred-sponsored match represents the 125th anniversary of the first final in 1897, the 121st Challenge Cup final overall and the first edition of the game to be played in May since 2004.
The second Betfred-sponsored match at Wembley in 2023 will be the 80th Challenge Cup final held at England’s national stadium, ever since the RFL made the decision to host the fixture at the ground in 1929.
Additionally, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will also play host to the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, the knockout competition for non-Super League clubs introduced in 2019, which will be staged as part of the 2022 Challenge Cup FInal Day.
“We are delighted to bring yet another major sporting event to our stadium,” said Daniel Levy, Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur.
“The Challenge Cup Final is a game that is steeped in history and we are proud to now be a part of that, while further establishing our stadium as a leading sports and entertainment destination in London.”
The strengthening of the ties between Betfred and the RFL represents a continuation of the Warrington-based international operator’s involvement in the rugby league space, having secured the title sponsorships to all three challenge cups in February 2021 as well as being a long-time partner of the top-flight Super League.
“Following on from this year’s terrific final I am delighted to be extending our Challenge Cup sponsorship for a further two years,” said Fred Done, Betfred Founder and Owner.
“We’re excited about having the 2022 Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before returning to Wembley in 2023 – and I’m especially pleased that we’re again including the Women’s and Wheelchair competitions in our unique sponsorship, and that the Community clubs and teams from all around the country will hopefully be back in the Challenge Cup in 2022.”
