The 1978–79 Challenge Cup was the 78th staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup.

Known as the State Express Challenge Cup due to sponsorship by State Express 555, the final was contested by Widnes and Wakefield Trinity at Wembley.

Widnes beat Wakefield Trinity 12-3 at Wembley in front of a crowd of 94,218.

To date, this was Wakefield Trinity’s last appearance in a Challenge Cup final.

Despite being on the losing side, the Wakefield Trinity Stand-off, David Topliss, won the Lance Todd Trophy.