Another one for the list?

The CC hasn't lost its magic, its another case of nostalgia not being what it used to be.



The early rounds have lost some interest because of the gulf between full time pros and semi pros but once you get to the QFs every SL team still in it starts to dream of Wembley and it becomes more intense, for all of the clubs like Cas, Hudds, Hull KR, Hull, Wakey, Salford etc (and us a few years ago) this is their best shot of the big time and they want to live the dream like we did in 2009. But then even amongst the bigger teams you can see for Leeds and Wigan how much the CC means to the players, even last year after Wigan had won the GF their players were bringing it up, "we were all gutted to get knocked out of the CC and it focused our minds even more on making sure we won at Old Trafford". The final is still a grand occasion and being in the day its a better occasion than the SL Grand Final which I always think ends up being an anti climax given how quickly everybody just goes off home at the end.



The CC has certainly avoided the fate of the FA Cup where it is being seen as a second rate competition.



Given the choice of Warrington winning Super League or the Challenge Cup I would take Super League however I think if it was a case of whats a more enjoyable occasion, I think Wembley still has more history and more sense of occasion than the GF.



Actually in answer to the original question has the Challenge Cup lost its magic, it might not be popular on here but I actually think the Pies being in the final gives it something extra this year, especially as Leeds haven't won it for a while, there will be a nice new story to it rather than same old faces every year.

Grand Final is bigger than the CC but it's not the only reason the CC has lost some of its magic. It is played at the wrong time final should be in June. We are 3 weeks away from the playoffs. Another reason the final won't sell out is that if wigan don't make the final then loads will go and watch the final regardless of who is in it. Though looking at it Leeds seems not to be selling as many as wigan.

To me the CC is more special than the Grand final. It is more of an achievment now to win the Grand final but there is more history and emotion behind the CC IMO. Its a shame the final aint going to sell out but im sure it will be a good match as Leeds seem to play well against Wigan. Wonder if Wembley has created an early exit gate incase Leeds are winning

It would appear its lost romance, class, fan support and media coverage then.......

For me, the new stadium is part to blame. It lacks the atmosphere of the old Wembley and the Club Wembley thing means that a significant number of prime seats are left empty. The area around Wembley has nothing to offer - I'm sure it wasnt that bad in the 1970's. Also, for some reason or other, members of the royal family/ government/ posh people etc are not there to present the cup.

Sorry KR, but there were about half of your Wigan estimate at Wembley. There were actually a couple of reasonable sized gaps in the cheap seats at your end. I would estimate about 14,000 Leeds fans made the trip in the end, which was about half of what they took last year. There were a lot of Hull and HKR fans, quite a few Wire, and some pretty good sized groups from some of the Championship teams. 50,000 Wigan fans would have meant a sellout with another 15,000 still outside.

When does the club Wembley thing run out?

Are they Hull KR in disguise

2018...

almost there then....