The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part.

It has been held annually since 1896, with the exception of the duration of World War I and the 1939-1940 season, and involves amateur, semi-professional and professional clubs. For the 2007 competition ninety-four teams entered the tournament.

In previous years the competition has been known as the State Express Challenge Cup, Silk Cut Challenge Cup, Kellogg's Nutrigrain Challenge Cup and the Powergen Challenge Cup, but for the beginning of 2007 the cup was named after the competition's primary partner Leeds Metropolitan University's Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education.

The final of the Challenge Cup is one of the most prestigious matches in world rugby league, and is traditionally held at Wembley Stadium, London. Despite London not being an area traditionally associated with rugby league, the final receives a lot of mainstream media coverage and is broadcast to many different countries around the world. Traditionally, Abide With Me is sung before the game, and has become something of a rugby league anthem.