The 1897 Challenge Cup was the inaugural staging of the Northern Rugby Football Union's Challenge Cup and involved 52 clubs from across England from the 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season. The tournament was played over six rounds in March and April 1897, culminating in the final which was won by Batley.
The teams and the Challenge Cup photographed before the kick-off: Batley Bulldogs vs. St Helens
The Rugby Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known just as the Challenge Cup is a knockout rugby league cup competition organised by the Rugby Football League, held annually since 1896, it is the world's oldest cup competition in either code of rugby. A concurrent Women's Challenge Cup and Wheelchair Challenge Cup have been held since 2012 and 2015 respectively.
The women's, men's, and wheelchair Challenge Cup trophies
The first ever Challenge Cup Final, 1897: Batley vs. St Helens
Wembley Stadium before the 2011 Challenge Cup Final
Since 2007 the final has been held at Wembley Stadium