Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball for what will be his seventh and final challenge, delivering it at the venue that has witnessed many of his most celebrated moments. The ceremony will take place at Old Trafford on 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is gearing up for his latest demanding running campaign, a venture designed to raise further awareness and financial support for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since launching his inaugural annual challenge in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have raised more than £11 million for MND charities, and this year’s effort will push the limits even further. The new undertaking involves completing an ultra‑marathon each day for a full week. The journey will commence at the home of world‑club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, 27 September, and will continue through the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs.
The final leg will culminate at Old Trafford, the iconic "Theatre of Dreams," just before the Grand Final on Saturday, 3 October. Having guided Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs at that very stadium, Sinfield will now hand over the match ball to the current generation of players as they prepare to battle for the title. For him, this last running challenge carries a deep personal resonance – it is an opportunity to bring the campaign back to the heart of the rugby league community and to revisit venues where his close friend Rob Burrow once dazzled opponents.
Old Trafford holds particular significance because it was the stage where Burrow scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try in history, a spectacular effort against St Helens in 2011. "It feels right to bring everything back home to the rugby league family," Sinfield told Sky Sports.
"Visiting the grounds where Rob terrified opposition is incredibly special, and finishing at Old Trafford feels like the perfect ending." Sinfield praised Burrow’s legacy, calling his 2011 try "the greatest Super League try ever" and noting that Burrow won eight Grand Finals in his career. He reflected on the massive support the sport has shown for the MND cause, recalling the enthusiastic crowd at Old Trafford during the 2022 Rugby League World Cup final, even though England were not playing.
"The love for Rob, the support for the MND community, and the unity of rugby league are all shining through," he said, adding that he is "incredibly proud of how the game has rallied together again to look after its own." Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League and interim chief executive of the RFL, echoed these sentiments. "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic figures in Super League history. He is synonymous with Grand Final night, and his relentless running challenges in support of his dear friend Rob Burrow and the MND community inspire us all," Jones said. He welcomed the idea of Sinfield presenting the ball at the centre of the sport’s biggest night, when the Betfred Super League champions will be crowned.
This year’s challenge will support six charitable organisations: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. A dedicated fundraising page has been launched, inviting supporters to contribute to the cause. The Super League playoffs kick off on Friday, 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports.
The following day, Warrington Wolves will face Hull KR at 5:30 pm. The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a TBC opponent at 8 pm) and Saturday, 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBC opponent at 5:30 pm), both televised live on Sky Sports. The season will build to its climax at Old Trafford on 3 October, where the Grand Final will determine the champions of the Betfred Super League.
Sinfield’s seven‑day ultra‑marathon will see him covering a staggering distance each day, testing his physical endurance and mental resilience. He has described the challenge as "arduous and challenging," but remains motivated by the cause and the chance to honour Burrow’s legacy.
"We have been here before – at the Rugby League World Cup final – and the support was immense. It doesn’t matter which teams are playing; the love for Rob and the MND community shines through," he added.
As the final day approaches, anticipation builds among fans, players, and officials alike. The match ball, symbolising the culmination of a season’s worth of effort, will be handed over by a man whose own career is intertwined with the history of the Grand Final. For Sinfield, the act of presenting the ball is both a personal tribute to his friend and a powerful statement of solidarity for those living with MND.
Supporters are encouraged to donate via the official fundraising page, watch the live broadcasts on Sky Sports, and celebrate the sport’s commitment to charitable causes. The combination of high‑stakes rugby league action and a noble fundraising mission promises a memorable conclusion to the 2024 Super League season.