The regular season of the Super League has drawn to a close, leaving just six clubs in contention for the coveted places in the semi‑finals. After the final round of fixtures, the league table has been trimmed to the top six, and the match‑ups that will determine who advances to the Grand Final are now set. Wigan Warriors capped off a spectacular campaign by securing the League Leaders' Shield with a dominant 50‑12 victory over Catalans Dragons. That triumph not only clinched the league title but also completed a domestic double, as the Warriors had already lifted the Challenge Cup earlier in the year.
With the league crown in hand, Wigan now have their sights set on achieving a historic treble, provided they can navigate the high‑stakes playoff encounters and emerge victorious at the Grand Final. Leeds Rhinos, who finished second in the standings, also enjoy a week’s rest despite a disappointing loss to Hull FC in the final round. Their second‑place finish guarantees them a semi‑final berth, meaning they will be waiting to learn the identity of their opponent after the elimination games are played. The top‑six finishers, in order, are: Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards, and Hull KR.
The playoff structure this year follows a straightforward format. The third‑placed side, Warrington Wolves, will travel to face Hull KR, who finished sixth. Meanwhile, fourth‑placed Wakefield Trinity will take on fifth‑placed Leigh Leopards. The winners of these two elimination matches will move on to the semi‑finals.
The twist in the system is that the lowest‑ranked winner emerging from the elimination round—meaning the team that finished lower on the league table—will be paired with the top‑seeded Wigan Warriors. The other elimination‑round victor will travel to Leeds Rhinos for the second semi‑final. This arrangement ensures that the highest‑placed teams retain a theoretical advantage while still rewarding lower‑ranked clubs that can pull off an upset. The elimination games are scheduled for the weekend of 18‑19 September.
On Friday, 18 September, Wakefield Trinity defeated Leigh Leopards 26‑16 in a match broadcast live on Sky Sports. The following day, Saturday 19 September, Warrington Wolves will meet Hull KR at 5:30 pm, also on Sky Sports.
These fixtures will determine the two clubs that join Wigan and Leeds in the semi‑final stage. The semi‑finals are slated for the following week.
Leeds Rhinos will host their opponent on Friday 25 September at 8:00 pm, while Wigan Warriors will welcome their challenger on Saturday 26 September at 5:30 pm. Both games will be shown live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to watch the drama unfold as the remaining teams vie for a place in the season‑ending showdown. The ultimate prize, the Super League Grand Final, will be contested at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October.
The two semi‑final winners will face each other in what is often described as the "big dance" of the rugby league calendar. The pathway from six hopefuls to the final two will be decided over a series of high‑intensity matches that test depth, resilience, and tactical acumen.
In summary, the playoff schedule is as follows: - **Friday 18 September:** Wakefield Trinity 26‑16 Leigh Leopards (Live on Sky Sports) - **Saturday 19 September:** Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, kickoff 5:30 pm (Live on Sky Sports) - **Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September:** Leeds Rhinos vs winner of the lower‑ranked elimination match, kickoff 8:00 pm (Live on Sky Sports) - **Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September:** Wigan Warriors vs winner of the higher‑ranked elimination match, kickoff 5:30 pm (Live on Sky Sports) - **Grand Final – Saturday 3 October:** Super League champions crowned at Old Trafford The playoffs commence on 18 September and will continue through to the Grand Final on 3 October, delivering a thrilling climax to the Super League season. All matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports, and fans are encouraged to use a Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.