WIDNES Vikings will face Swinton Lions and North Wales Crusaders in the Group Stage of the revamped 1895 Cup.

The Vikings sit out the first week of the fixtures, before kicking off the 1895 Cup campaign on Sunday, February 4 against Swinton Lions at Heywood Road (3pm), before travelling to North Wales Crusaders’ Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay on Sunday, February 18 (3pm).

The format sees teams compete in seven groups of three, with the top team in each group qualifying for the Quarter Finals, joined by the best-performing second-placed team across all seven groups.

If Vikings progress from the group stage, the quarter-finals will take place on March 3, with the semi-finals to be played on May 12.

The 2024 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup.

1895 Cup Dates.

Round 1 (January 27-28) – BYE.

Round 2 (February 4) – Swinton Lions (A).

Round 3 (February 18) – North Wales Crusaders (A).

Quarter-Finals (March 3).

Semi-Finals (May 12).

Final (June 8).