Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball for the seventh and final time in a ceremony that will take place at Old Trafford on 3 October, with the event broadcast live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is about to embark on what will be his most demanding running challenge yet, a week‑long ultra‑marathon designed to raise further awareness and financial support for the motor neurone disease (MND) community across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Since launching his inaugural fundraising run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for charities that support people affected by MND. This year’s effort will see him complete an ultra‑marathon each day for seven consecutive days, beginning at the home of the world‑club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, 27 September. From there, he will travel to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs, culminating in a final leg that ends at Old Trafford, the iconic "Theatre of Dreams," just ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, 3 October.
The symbolism of this final run is profound. Sinfield, who captained Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs at Old Trafford, will hand over the match ball to the players who will battle for the championship that night.
In doing so, he brings his charitable mission full circle, returning the ball to the rugby league community that has supported him and his friend Rob Burrow throughout the years. Old Trafford holds particular significance because it was the venue where Burrow scored what many regard as the greatest Grand Final try in 2011 against St Helens. Sinfield described the venue as a fitting endpoint for his journey: "It’s nice to bring it back home to the rugby league community.
This is where it all started for Rob." Sinfield’s own words, given to Sky Sports, highlight the emotional weight of the occasion: "Visiting the grounds where Rob terrorised opponents is especially special, and finishing at Old Trafford feels perfect. Rob scored, in my opinion, the greatest Super League try ever.
He won eight Grand Finals. To get a chance to visit some places that I know very well, where the support has been awesome over the last six years, I am looking forward to it." He also reflected on the broader support the sport has shown: "We were at Old Trafford for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, and the support that night was immense even though England weren’t in the final. We were all hoping and expecting, so it doesn’t matter which teams are playing. I think the love for Rob, the support for the MND community, will shine through and I am incredibly proud of how rugby league has come together again to look after its own.
It will be a really special night." Rhodri Jones, commercial managing director of the Rugby League and interim chief executive of the RFL, praised Sinfield’s contribution: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history. He is synonymous with Grand Final night, and his remarkable endeavours—those epic running challenges in support of his great friend Rob Burrow and the MND community—remain an inspiration to us all. As a competition, we are delighted he is now bringing the ball to the centre stage at Old Trafford for the biggest 80 minutes of the season when everything is on the line and the latest Betfred Super League champions are crowned.
The whole sport of rugby league wishes Sir Kevin and his team the very best on what promises to be yet another arduous and challenging seven days." This year’s challenge will benefit six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association. Donations can be made through the official fundraising page, which remains open for supporters.
The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday, 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5:30 pm. Semi‑finals follow on 25 and 26 September, with Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors each facing as‑yet‑undecided opponents.
The play‑offs will run straight through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, providing a dramatic climax to a season that has already seen extraordinary displays of skill, determination and community spirit. Sinfield’s marathon trek not only raises funds but also shines a spotlight on the resilience of the rugby league community and its capacity to rally around a cause.
By traversing the stadiums of every English Super League club, he underscores the unity that binds the sport, reminding fans and players alike that the battle against MND is a collective effort. As the final day approaches, anticipation builds for the moment when Sinfield will hand the ball to the players, symbolising both the culmination of his charitable journey and the start of a new chapter in the competition’s storied history. The event promises to be a night of high drama on the field, but also a celebration of the compassion and solidarity that have defined the sport’s response to Rob Burrow’s diagnosis.
Whether you are a lifelong fan, a newcomer to rugby league, or someone moved by the cause, the Grand Final will serve as a powerful reminder of how sport can inspire change, bring people together, and make a lasting impact beyond the scoreboard.