The regular season of the Super League has now reached its conclusion, leaving only six clubs in contention for the coveted spots in the semi‑finals. With the final round of league fixtures completed, the playoff picture has become crystal clear, and the match‑ups that will determine the two finalists are now set. Wigan Warriors capped off an outstanding campaign by securing a domestic double. Their emphatic 50‑12 victory over Catalans Dragons not only earned them the League Leaders' Shield but also reinforced their dominance after already lifting the Challenge Cup.
With a week’s rest now on the agenda, the Warriors are poised to chase a historic treble, hoping to add a Grand Final triumph to their growing trophy cabinet. Leeds Rhinos, who finished second in the table despite a late‑season loss to Hull FC, also enjoy a short break before the knockout phase begins. Both clubs will enter the semi‑finals fresh and ready, knowing exactly when they will take the field. 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 is straightforward. The third‑placed Warrington Wolves will travel to face Hull KR, the sixth‑placed side, while fourth‑placed Wakefield Trinity will meet fifth‑placed Leigh Leopards. These two elimination games, often referred to as the “Eliminators,” will determine which lower‑ranked teams advance to the semi‑finals. The winner of the Warrington‑Hull KR clash – the team that finished lowest among the two victors – will be drawn against the league leaders, Wigan Warriors, in the second semi‑final.
Meanwhile, the victor of the Wakefield‑Leigh encounter will travel to Leeds Rhinos for the first semi‑final. In this way, the playoffs reward the higher‑ranked clubs with a theoretically easier path while still giving the lower‑ranked teams a realistic chance of progressing.
The Eliminators are scheduled for the weekend of 18‑19 September. On Friday, 18 September, Wakefield Trinity will host Leigh Leopards at 8:00 p.m. on Sky Sports. The following day, Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves will take on Hull KR at 5:30 p.m., also live on Sky Sports.
Both fixtures will be broadcast nationally, providing fans across the country with live coverage of the decisive early‑round battles. Following the Eliminators, the semi‑finals will be played the subsequent week. Leeds Rhinos will await the outcome of the Wakefield‑Leigh game and are slated to kick off their semi‑final on Friday 25 September at 8:00 p.m. Wigan Warriors, on the other hand, will prepare for a Saturday 26 September showdown at 5:30 p.m., facing the winner of the Warrington‑Hull KR match.
As with the earlier rounds, both semi‑finals will be shown live on Sky Sports, ensuring maximum exposure for the climax of the season. The two semi‑final winners will earn the right to compete in the Super League Grand Final, which will be staged at the iconic Old Trafford stadium on Saturday 3 October. This final showdown will crown the champions of the 2024 Super League season and will be the culmination of a campaign that has seen Wigan Warriors dominate the league, Leeds Rhinos secure a strong second place, and the other playoff qualifiers fight fiercely for a chance at glory. In summary, the playoff schedule is as follows: - **Friday 18 September:** Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – 8:00 p.m.
(Sky Sports) - **Saturday 19 September:** Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR – 5:30 p.m. (Sky Sports) - **Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September:** Leeds Rhinos vs Winner of Wakefield/Leigh – 8:00 p.m. (Sky Sports) - **Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September:** Wigan Warriors vs Winner of Warrington/Hull KR – 5:30 p.m.
(Sky Sports) - **Grand Final – Saturday 3 October:** Super League Champions at Old Trafford. These fixtures will determine which two clubs will face off in the ultimate "big dance" at Old Trafford, concluding a season that has delivered high‑scoring matches, dramatic finishes, and a clear hierarchy at the top of the table. Fans can look forward to a week of intense, knockout rugby league action, beginning with the Eliminators and building to the grand spectacle of the Grand Final, all broadcast live for a nationwide audience.