The regular season of the Super League has now drawn to a close, leaving only six clubs still in contention for the coveted semi‑final places. The final round of league fixtures has produced a clear picture of the match‑ups that will decide which two teams advance to the Grand Final. Wigan Warriors capped off an impressive campaign by delivering a dominant 50‑12 victory over the Catalans Dragons, a result that secured the League Leaders' Shield and completed a domestic double for the club.
This triumph follows their recent Challenge Cup success, putting Wigan on the brink of an historic treble should they prevail in the Grand Final. Leeds Rhinos, who finished second on the ladder despite a late‑season defeat to Hull FC, also enjoy a week’s rest before the knockout phase begins. Both clubs are now preparing for the next stage of the playoffs, where the format is straightforward and the stakes are high. The top six finishers in the league table are: 1.
Wigan Warriors 2. Leeds Rhinos 3. Warrington Wolves 4. Wakefield Trinity 5.
Leigh Leopards 6. Hull KR The playoff structure pits the third‑placed team against the sixth‑placed side, and the fourth‑placed side against the fifth‑placed side in what are known as the Eliminators.
The lowest‑ranked victor from these two games will travel to face Wigan Warriors, while the other winner will take on Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑finals. The Eliminator fixtures are scheduled as follows: - Friday, 18 September – Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards, kickoff at 20:00, broadcast live on Sky Sports. - Saturday, 19 September – Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR, kickoff at 17:30, also on Sky Sports.
The winners of these contests will move on to the semi‑finals, which are set for the following weekend: - Friday, 25 September – Leeds Rhinos host the victor of the Wakefield‑Leigh match, kickoff at 20:00 on Sky Sports. - Saturday, 26 September – Wigan Warriors host the winner of the Warrington‑Hull KR clash, kickoff at 17:30 on Sky Sports. The two semi‑final winners will then meet at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, for the Super League Grand Final, the culmination of a season that has seen Wigan chase a treble, Leeds aim to convert their runner‑up finish into a championship, and the other clubs fight for a place in the sport’s showcase event.
In summary, the playoff timeline is: - Eliminator 1 (Wakefield vs Leigh) – 18 September, 20:00, Sky Sports. - Eliminator 2 (Warrington vs Hull KR) – 19 September, 17:30, Sky Sports. - Semi‑Final 1 (Leeds vs Eliminator 1 winner) – 25 September, 20:00, Sky Sports. - Semi‑Final 2 (Wigan vs Eliminator 2 winner) – 26 September, 17:30, Sky Sports.
- Grand Final – 3 October, Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports. All matches will be accessible via a Chrome browser for the best video player experience.
The path from six contenders to two finalists promises intense competition, strategic brilliance, and the kind of drama that defines rugby league’s premier competition.