The regular season of the Super League has drawn to a close, leaving only six clubs in contention for the coveted semi‑final spots. The final round of league fixtures has produced a clear picture of the match‑ups that will determine who advances to the grand finale.
Wigan Warriors capped off an outstanding campaign by thumping Catalans Dragons 50‑12, a victory that secured them the League Leaders' Shield. This triumph adds to their recent Challenge Cup success and puts them on the brink of a historic treble, should they prevail at the Grand Final. After their decisive win, Wigan will enjoy a week’s rest before the next round of the playoffs.
Leeds Rhinos, who finished second in the table despite a late‑season defeat to Hull FC, also receive a short break. Both Wigan and Leeds are already aware of the dates on which they will play their semi‑final matches: Leeds on Friday, 25 September at 8 p.m., and Wigan on Saturday, 26 September at 5:30 p.m., with both games broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The top six finishers in the league are, in order: Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards, and Hull KR. The playoff format this year pits the third‑placed Warrington Wolves against the sixth‑placed Hull KR, while the fourth‑placed Wakefield Trinity take on the fifth‑placed Leigh Leopards in what are known as the Eliminator matches. The Eliminators will be contested over the weekend of 18–19 September. Wakefield versus Leigh is scheduled for Friday night, kicking off at 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington will meet Hull KR at 5:30 p.m., also on Sky Sports. The winners of these two games will move on to the semi‑finals, where the lowest‑ranked victorious side will face the league leaders, Wigan Warriors.
The other semi‑final will see Leeds Rhinos take on the remaining Eliminator winner. To summarise the upcoming fixtures: - **Friday, 18 September – Eliminator:** Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, 8 p.m. (Sky Sports) - **Saturday, 19 September – Eliminator:** Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, 5:30 p.m.
(Sky Sports) - **Friday, 25 September – Semi‑Final 1:** Leeds Rhinos vs the winner of Wakefield/Leigh, 8 p.m. (Sky Sports) - **Saturday, 26 September – Semi‑Final 2:** Wigan Warriors vs the winner of Warrington/Hull KR, 5:30 p.m.
(Sky Sports) The two semi‑final winners will then progress to the Super League Grand Final, which will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October. That match will decide the ultimate champion of the season, completing the journey from a six‑team playoff to the final showdown.
The stakes are high for each club. Wigan, already boasting a domestic double, will be eager to add the Grand Final trophy to their haul and complete the treble. Leeds, having narrowly missed out on the top spot, will be looking to prove they belong among the elite by securing a place in the final.
Meanwhile, the Eliminator fixtures offer a lifeline to the lower‑ranked sides; a victory for either Wakefield, Leigh, Warrington or Hull KR would keep their season alive and give them a chance to upset the higher‑ranked opponents in the semi‑finals. Fans are encouraged to watch the matches using a Chrome browser for the best video player experience, as noted by the league’s broadcast partners. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, ensuring that supporters across the country can follow the drama as it unfolds. In summary, the Super League playoffs commence on Friday, 18 September, and will continue through the weekend, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October.
The pathway is clear: six teams battle in two Eliminator matches, the winners join Wigan and Leeds in the semi‑finals, and the two victorious sides from those contests will clash for the championship trophy. The excitement is building, and the race for the title is now in its decisive phase.