Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final ball‑bearing assignment for the Super League Grand Final, a role that will see him hand over the match ball at Old Trafford on 3 October, live on Sky Sports. This symbolic gesture comes as the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain prepares for what will be his most demanding running challenge yet, a week‑long ultra‑marathon designed to raise awareness and funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since launching his first charitable run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for MND charities.
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 KR on Sunday, 27 September. He will then travel to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs, culminating in a final run to Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, 3 October. For Sinfield, the ball‑presentation is more than a ceremonial duty; it is a full‑circle moment that links his own storied playing career with the cause he champions. As a player, he guided Leeds to seven Grand Final victories at the iconic Theatre of Dreams, and now he will hand the ball to the next generation of gladiators who will battle for the title.
The occasion holds particular emotional weight because it also honours his close friend Rob Burrow, the legendary Leeds forward who was diagnosed with MND in 2019. Burrow’s most celebrated moment – a breathtaking try in the 2011 Grand Final against St Helens – was scored at Old Trafford, making the venue a fitting backdrop for Sinfield’s final challenge. "I think it’s nice to bring it back home to the rugby league community.
This is where it all started for Rob," Sinfield told Sky Sports. "To visit some venues where he terrorised opponents is particularly special and to finish at Old Trafford is great.
Rob scored, in my opinion, the greatest Super League try, greatest Grand Final try ever. He won eight Grand Finals." Sinfield reflected on the support the sport has shown both to Burrow and to the broader MND cause.
"We were here (Old Trafford) for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022 and the support we got 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 in the final. I think the love for Rob, the support, the love for the MND community will shine through and I am incredibly proud of the way rugby league has come together again and continues to do, to look after its own, and it will be a really special night." Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League and interim chief executive of the RFL, praised Sinfield’s contributions: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history.
He is synonymous with Grand Final night and his remarkable endeavours – all those epic running challenges we have seen over the years 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’s now bringing the ball to the centre stage at Old Trafford ready 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 all his team the very best on what promises to be yet another arduous and challenging seven days." This year’s fundraising drive will support six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. Fans can contribute via the dedicated fundraising page, which remains open for donations. 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.
The semi‑finals are slated for Friday, 25 September (Leeds Rhinos vs a TBD opponent) and Saturday, 26 September (Wigan Warriors vs a TBD opponent), both broadcast live on Sky Sports. The season will climax with the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, where Sinfield will hand the ball to the players who will contest the most coveted prize in British rugby league.
Throughout this marathon, Sinfield will not only be testing his physical limits but also shining a spotlight on the resilience of the MND community and the solidarity of rugby league supporters. By traversing each club’s home ground, he symbolically connects every corner of the league to the cause, reminding fans that the sport’s greatest triumphs are measured not just in trophies, but in the compassion and generosity shown off the field.
His final run, ending at the historic Old Trafford, promises to be a poignant tribute to Rob Burrow’s legacy and a powerful reminder of the sport’s capacity to unite for a common purpose.