2023 Women's Challenge Cup final


The 2023 Women's Challenge Cup Final was the 11th final of the Rugby Football League's Women's Challenge Cup knock-out competition. The 2023 final marked the first time the final of the Women's Challenge Cup had been played at Wembley. The final was a repeat of the 2022 final with defending champions St Helens taking on last season's runners-up Leeds Rhinos.
The cup was won by St Helens, who won their third consecutive cup final, defeating Leeds Rhinos 22–8. St Helens captain, Jodie Cunningham was named player of the match.
For the first time in its history, both the women's and men's final took place at Wembley Stadium on the same day – 12 August 2023.

Background

St Helens are two times defending champions of the Challenge Cup having won in 2021 and 2022. They also won the tournament four times in a row between 2013 and 2016. Upon gaining their place in the final St Helens were second in Super League behind their semi-final opponents York Valkyrie.
Leeds Rhinos entered the final aiming to avenge their 2022 defeat to St Helens. They last won the competition in 2019 retaining it after their 2018 victory. Upon qualification Leeds were in third place in Super League, one place and one point behind St Helens.

Route to the final

St Helens

RoundOppositionVenueScore
Group Stage London BroncosThe Rock76–0
Group Stage Castleford TigersWheldon Road106–0
Group Stage Warrington WolvesTotally Wicked Stadium36–4
Quarter-final Warrington WolvesTotally Wicked Stadium36–0
Semi-final York ValkyrieHalliwell Jones Stadium17–16

Leeds Rhinos

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Post match

Following both the women's and men's challenge cup final, Wembley will host the Year 7 boys schools' final and the final of the 2023 1895 Cup. The 1895 Cup Final saw Halifax Panthers beat Batley Bulldogs 12–10. The men's final saw Leigh Leopards beat Hull KR 17–16.