The Super League campaign is now entering its final three fixtures, and with every match the drama intensifies as the season’s climax approaches. In this competition, the two clubs that finish at the top of the table are guaranteed a home semi‑final, scheduled for Friday 25 September and Saturday 26 September. The week before those semi‑finals, the Play‑Off Eliminators are contested: the third‑placed side meets the sixth‑placed team, while the fourth‑placed club takes on the fifth‑placed side, with the winners progressing to the semi‑final stage.
The victors of the semi‑finals will then meet in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October. Below is a snapshot of what each contender has left on their calendar and what is at stake for them.
Leeds Rhinos have been perched near the summit for a considerable period and will be eager to preserve that position over their final two games. They sit level on points with Wigan, who briefly overtook them after a Round 25 win over Hull KR, but Leeds enjoy a far superior points‑difference. The League Leaders’ Shield could effectively be decided on Saturday 5 September when Leeds host Wigan in the penultimate round.
A win would likely hand them the shield, while a loss could hand the honour to the Warriors. Leeds last lifted the League Leaders’ Shield in 2015 and have not won a major trophy since their Challenge Cup triumph in 2020, so a top‑place finish would mark a welcome return to silverware for the Rhinos.
Wigan Warriors, under head coach Matt Peet, have been vocal about their ambition to finish in the top two because a home semi‑final is a massive advantage. If they keep the pressure on Leeds and secure a win in the upcoming clash, they could overtake the Rhinos and claim that coveted spot. The Warriors also have a chip on their shoulder after losing the 2025 Grand Final to Hull KR and will be keen to add a second piece of silverware to the Challenge Cup already in their cabinet.
Their remaining fixtures are an away game against Leeds – a potential league‑decider – and a home match versus Catalans Dragons. Warrington Wolves have built momentum, recording three wins in ten days, including a 34‑24 victory over Huddersfield Giants in Round 24 that took them to 36 points. That win marked their fifth consecutive triumph, putting them in prime form as the play‑off push intensifies with only three rounds left.
They still have games against Hull FC (away), Wakefield Trinity (away) and Toulouse Olympique (home). All three opponents sit below them in the standings, a luxury not many playoff hopefuls can claim.
The test against Wakefield will be the toughest, as Trinity sit just four points behind Warrington. Wakefield Trinity are chasing their highest ever Super League finish, but recent setbacks have dented their momentum.
After a heartbreaking two‑point loss to league‑leaders Leeds and subsequent defeats to St Helens and Warrington, confidence could be wavering for Daryl Powell’s side. Their remaining schedule includes home games against York Knights and Warrington Wolves, plus an away fixture at Leigh Leopards.
Two of those opponents are already out of the playoff race, leaving Wakefield with a realistic chance to climb the table if they can secure victories. Leigh Leopards have become known for delivering when the stakes are high.
After a disastrous start to the season, Adrian Lam’s side found form, highlighted by a memorable win over Leeds. However, a 30‑18 away loss to Huddersfield Giants in Round 25 was a setback, meaning their playoff berth is not yet guaranteed.
They still have to face St Helens (home) and Wakefield Trinity (home) in the final stretch. To reach the Grand Final for the first time, Leigh must maintain their steel and pick up points in these crucial matches. Hull KR remain firmly in the mix despite a humiliating 46‑0 defeat to an under‑strength Wigan side, which left them only two points ahead of St Helens.
The Robins were the surprise champions in 2025, ending a long wait for a new club to win the title, and they now aim to give coach Willie Peters a fitting send‑off by securing back‑to‑back championships. Their remaining fixtures are a home game against Huddersfield Giants and an away clash with St Helens. St Helens, perennial playoff regulars, are desperate to avoid a season of missed opportunities.
After a 20‑12 semi‑final loss to Hull KR in 2025, they rebounded with wins over Wakefield and Castleford, reviving their never‑say‑die ethos. Yet a defeat to Leeds in Round 25 dropped them out of the top six with two games left. They now need to win both remaining matches – away at Leigh Leopards and home against Hull KR – to climb to 32 points and re‑enter the playoff conversation. If they can overcome Leigh, the final showdown with Hull KR could produce a spectacular finish.
Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game this season, with two matches each round shown live exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five matches streamed on Sky Sports+. The battle for the final playoff spots is heating up, and fans can expect a thrilling conclusion as clubs fight for semi‑final home advantage, the League Leaders’ Shield, and ultimately, a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.