CORAL have agreed to take over as title sponsor of the Challenge Cup in a seven-figure, two-year deal, the RFL have confirmed.

The bookmaker will sponsor both the men's and women's competitions, while the governing body have confirmed the semi-finals will again be held as a double-header at the University of Bolton Stadium again.

The women's final will act as a curtain-raised in Bolton on Saturday, July 27 too and RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer hailed the announcements after it looked at one point as if this year's competition would kick off without a sponsor.

"This is a really significant day both for the Challenge Cup, and for women’s rugby league," said Rimmer.

"With Coral’s name now linked to both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cups, it’s equally exciting to be able to extend the double header for the men’s semi-finals that proved such a big hit last year, and now incorporate the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final.

"The University of Bolton Stadium proved a popular venue for the sold-out double header last summer, so we’re delighted to be going back for a triple header in 2019.

“We are confident that thousands of the supporters of the teams who reach the semi finals of the men’s Coral Challenge Cup will also take the opportunity to watch the outstanding spectacle provided by our best women’s teams – and that will ensure their skills and athleticism are seen by the record audience they deserve."

The 2019 Challenge Cup gets under way this weekend and the first-round ties include Millom hosting Red Star Belgrade on Sunday. The final is at Wembley on Saturday, August 24.