With only five rounds of Super League fixtures remaining, the competition is entering its most dramatic phase yet. Seven clubs are still alive in the hunt for a play‑off berth, and most of those sides are also eyeing a coveted top‑two finish that guarantees a home semi‑final on September 25‑26. The play‑off structure is straightforward: the first and second placed teams earn automatic semi‑final spots on their own ground, while the third‑through‑sixth teams meet in the Eliminators (third vs sixth and fourth vs fifth) the week before.
The winners of those eliminators join the top two in the semi‑finals, and the two victorious semi‑finalists will clash in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. Every remaining match now carries the weight of a potential turning point, and Sky Sports will broadcast all the action live, with the final five games available on Sky Sports+. Below is a detailed look at each contender’s remaining schedule, the stakes involved, and the key battles that could shape the final league table.
**Leeds Rhinos** Leeds have been perched at the summit for several weeks and will be desperate to protect that position over their last five outings. Their most recent performance—a commanding win over Wakefield Trinity—demonstrated both confidence and intent.
The Rhinos have not lifted the League Leaders’ Shield since 2015 and their last major trophy, the Challenge Cup, came in 2020. Securing the shield this season would mark a long‑awaited return to silverware. Their remaining fixtures are against Leigh Leopards (home), York Knights (away), St Helens (away), Wigan Warriors (away) and Hull FC (home).
Three of those opponents—Leigh, St Helens and Wigan—are also fighting for play‑off spots, meaning Leeds must aim for an unbeaten run to guarantee the top‑place finish and the associated home‑semi advantage. **Wigan Warriors** Head coach Matt Peet has made it clear that a top‑two finish is the primary objective, as a home semi‑final offers a massive strategic edge.
Wigan are also looking to avenge their 2025 Grand Final loss to Hull KR and add a second trophy to their cabinet, having already secured the Challenge Cup. Their final five games are against Bradford Bulls (away), Wakefield Trinity (home), Hull KR (home), Leeds Rhinos (away) and Catalans Dragons (home). The fixtures against Wakefield and Leeds are particularly crucial; victories there would not only boost Wigan’s points tally but also apply pressure on two of their direct rivals for the top‑two slots.
**Wakefield Trinity** After a heartbreaking two‑point defeat to league‑leaders Leeds, Wakefield are determined to bounce back and achieve their highest ever Super League finish. The club returned to the top flight last season following relegation in 2024 and have quickly become a competitive side. Their remaining schedule includes matches versus St Helens (home), Wigan Warriors (away), York Knights (home), Warrington Wolves (home) and Leigh Leopards (away). The clash with York is a must‑win for the Trinity, as those two points could be decisive.
Equally important are the games against Wigan and Warrington, both of which are also vying for top‑two positions, making those fixtures potential six‑point swings. **Warrington Wolves** Warrington, along with Hull KR, have six matches left because a round‑two game was postponed when the Robins traveled to Las Vegas. This congested schedule could work to Sam Burgess’s advantage if the Wolves can maintain consistency.
Their upcoming opponents are York Knights (home), Hull KR (away), Huddersfield Giants (home), Hull FC (away), Wakefield Trinity (away) and Toulouse Olympique (home). To stay in the play‑off conversation, Warrington must secure points against the four lower‑ranked sides (York, Huddersfield, Hull FC, Toulouse) while also challenging the higher‑ranked opponents when possible. **Hull KR** Hull KR entered the 2025 season as champions, completing a historic treble, and now aim to repeat that success under coach Willie Peters.
With six games remaining—Catalans Dragons (home), Warrington Wolves (home), Toulouse Olympique (home), Wigan Warriors (away), Huddersfield Giants (home) and St Helens (away)—the Robins have a favorable home‑heavy run. Wins against Catalans, Toulouse and Huddersfield are practically mandatory if they hope to finish in the top six, while the away fixtures against Wigan and St Helens will test their resilience against the league’s elite.
**Leigh Leopards** After a disastrous start, Adrian Lam’s Leopards have turned their season around and are now solidly in the play‑off mix. Their final five matches are against Leeds Rhinos (away), Bradford Bulls (home), Huddersfield Giants (away), St Helens (home) and Wakefield Trinity (home). The schedule is tough, with three of those opponents also battling for play‑off spots.
The Leopards must treat each game as a must‑win if they hope to secure a place in the eliminators and possibly make a historic Grand Final appearance. **St Helens** St Helens have a proud tradition of never missing the play‑offs, but recent setbacks—most notably a 20‑12 semi‑final loss to Hull KR in 2025—have left them hungry for redemption. Their remaining fixtures are against Wakefield Trinity (away), Castleford Tigers (home), Leeds Rhinos (home), Leigh Leopards (away) and Hull KR (home).
Four of these five matches are against teams currently occupying the top six, meaning each result could swing the points balance dramatically. The Saints are aiming for a perfect five‑win finish, which would lift them to 34 points and firmly re‑establish them as a top‑four contender.
**Overall Outlook** The final stretch of the Super League season promises a cascade of twists and turns. With every club still mathematically capable of influencing the play‑off picture, each match carries heightened significance.
Fans can expect intense battles, strategic squad rotations, and perhaps a few surprise upsets as teams fight for the dual goals of securing a semi‑final berth and, for the very best, the coveted home advantage that could be the difference between lifting the trophy and watching from the sidelines. All the drama will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, ensuring that supporters across the country can follow every crucial moment as the league races toward its climax at Old Trafford on October 3.