When there is a 2 month gap between the quarter finals and the semi finals, but then only a 2 week gap between the semis and the final, is it any surprise that the Wembley attendance was so poor ?



Not everyone goes every year and a significant number of people will only go if their own team is involved.



Giving them only a 2 weeks period in which to arrange accommodation and travel must mean that many just can't be bothered to make the effort given that it is also in school holidays.



Why not have the semis 2 weeks after the quarters and then allow 2 months for people to make finals arrangements ? Or is that too sensible ?



Even the Leeds "fans" would have no excuse then - (there were nearly as many of them in my local than there were at Wembley)

Great post. Trouble is the RFL don't do common sense

77,914 crowd isn't bad for a cup final though is it?

Add to that we're about a month away from the play offs and Grand Final, it leads to a crowded end of season.



This is an argument that's been going on since the RFL moved the Cup from it's original date at the end of April.



As for the people "not being bothered", I'm not sure that's true in 100% of cases. A lot of people might not be able to afford to make the trip on such sort notice. But still, that argument just strengthens yours.

I think this years schedule was due to the Commonwealth Games.

I think it's scheduled for the Aug Bank Holiday weekend like it always is.

We,ve been saying for years that the final shoulbe in July to avoid the start of the football premiership, each round should be in each month March, April , May and June.

The RFL should tender the media coverage out instead of letting the Beeb dictate the scheduling.



The RFL do the same thing with the Magic Weekend always schedule it with another big event going on that particular weekend, scheduling and planning is something that is alien to the RFL.

PUT IT back to may august is bloody

I'd have the final in May with the semis at least a month, if not more, earlier. The rounds involving SL teams to be every other week.



So if it was in 2014 it'd be something like:

Round 4 - 8/9th March

Round 5 - 22/23rd March

Quarter Finals - 5/6th April

Semi Finals - 19/20th April

Final - Spring Bank Holiday - 24th May



Hopefully might generate a bit of momentum and interest on TV rather than a game every now and again.



OT but I'd also introduce some kind of game-wide discount/incentive for season ticket holders to attend Challenge Cup games.

As with all these things there are other factors at play. But principally:



1. Are the primary broadcaster able to accommodate it? The semis and finals this year were close in particular due to the BBC having to push the semis back beyond the Commonwealth Games period when they more normally would be.



2. Is Wembley available? Spring Bank Holiday weekend it is permanently booked for the football play off finals so that is a non-starter.

Which semi final was in Glasgow?

Over the last few years I have seen fewer and fewer people in London over the cup final weekend wearing replica shirts. I was in the west end this afternoon and saw none for the first time. Is this to do with the game being played on the bank holiday weekend or are there other factors (lack of money, trips to France for away games at Catalans) affecting things?