St Helens were three times defending champions of the Challenge Cup having won in 2021, 2022, and 2023. They also won the tournament four times in a row between 2013 and 2016. Upon gaining their place in the final St Helens were third in Super League.
Leeds Rhinos entered the final aiming to avenge back to back defeats to St Helens in 2022 and 2023. They last won the competition in 2019 retaining it after their 2018 victory. Upon qualification Leeds were in second place in Super League, behind Wigan Warriors the team they eliminated in the semi-finals, but above St Helens.
British singer Maxwell Thorpe sang the national anthem and Abide with Me ahead of the match. Thorpe was supported by British DJ Alex Simmons in providing the pre match entertainment.[7]
Following the death of Rob Burrow on 2 June, the RFL announced that Rob's death be commemorated with a minute's silence before kick-off and with a minute's applause during the seventh minute of the game.[8]
The match officials were named on 4 June, with Aaron Moore as the referee, alongside Neil Horton, and Beth Neilson, the touch judges. Neilson became the first woman to be part of a senior final officiating team.[10][a]