The Super League campaign is now entering its final two rounds, and with the countdown ticking down, the drama surrounding the race for the play‑offs is reaching a fever pitch. In this competition, the clubs that finish first and second at the end of the regular season automatically earn a home semi‑final on Friday 25 September and Saturday 26 September. The week before those fixtures, the play‑off eliminators are contested: the third‑placed side travels to the sixth‑placed team, while the fourth‑placed outfit hosts the fifth‑placed side, each match offering a ticket to the semi‑finals.
The winners of those semi‑finals will then meet at Old Trafford for the Grand Final on Saturday 3 October. Below is a rundown of what each contender has left on their schedule and what is at stake for them.
Leeds Rhinos have been perched at the top of the table for a considerable period and will be eager to protect that position in their final two games. They sit level on points with Wigan, who briefly overtook them after a Round 25 victory 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; the Rhinos will then conclude the regular season at home against Hull FC the following weekend. Leeds last lifted the Shield in 2015 and their most recent trophy was the 2020 Challenge Cup, so a top‑place finish would represent a welcome return to silverware for the club.
Wigan Warriors, coached by Matt Peet, have made it clear that a top‑two finish is a priority because it guarantees a home semi‑final. If the Warriors maintain their momentum, they could overtake Leeds and secure that coveted spot.
The Warriors also have a point to prove after losing the 2025 Grand Final to Hull KR; they already possess a Challenge Cup, and a second trophy would cement a highly successful season. Their remaining fixtures include an away clash with Leeds – a potential league‑decider – and a home game against Catalans Dragons.
Warrington Wolves have enjoyed a prolific spell, notching three wins in ten days by beating Huddersfield Giants in Round 24 and then Hull FC in Round 25, taking them to 36 points. With two games left, they have already locked in a home play‑off berth and will aim to maximise their point total. Their upcoming opponents are Wakefield Trinity (away) and Toulouse Olympique (home), both of whom sit below them on the table, offering a relatively comfortable path compared with many other play‑off hopefuls. The encounter with Wakefield is expected to be the tougher of the two, as Trinity sit just four points behind Warrington.
Wakefield Trinity are chasing their highest ever Super League finish but have recently endured a painful two‑point loss to league‑leaders Leeds, followed by defeats to St Helens and Wigan Warriors. A crucial win over York secured their place in the play‑offs, yet the final two fixtures – against Warrington Wolves at home and Leigh Leopards away – will be decisive. Both opponents are among the seven clubs still in contention, meaning Trinity cannot afford any slip‑ups if they wish to climb higher on the ladder. Leigh Leopards have built a reputation for delivering when it matters most.
After a disastrous start to the season, Adrian Lam's side found form, produced impressive victories and even beat Leeds, signalling a resurgence. However, a 30‑18 away loss to Huddersfield Giants in Round 25 was a setback, leaving their play‑off status still uncertain. The Leopards now have two challenging matches left – at home to St Helens and away to Wakefield Trinity – and will need to secure both to keep their Grand Final ambitions alive. 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 clear of St Helens.
The Robins were the surprise champions of 2025, ending a long wait for a new winner, and will be keen to give coach Willie Peters a fitting send‑off by defending their title. Their remaining fixtures are a home game against Huddersfield Giants and an away clash with St Helens. St Helens, perennial play‑off regulars, have two matches left to avoid an unwanted blemish on their record.
The Saints have never missed the post‑season, but a 20‑12 semi‑final loss to Hull KR in 2025, followed by a defeat to Leeds in Round 25, dropped them out of the top six with only two games remaining. They now need to win both remaining fixtures – away at Leigh Leopards and home to Hull KR – to climb back into contention, potentially reaching 32 points.
A victory over Leigh would set up a tantalising final‑round showdown with Hull KR, which could prove decisive. All remaining games this season will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+. The stakes are high, the fixtures are tight, and every point will matter as the Super League races toward its dramatic conclusion.