Wigan Warriors are no strangers to the final stages of the Betfred Super League, having repeatedly earned places at the Grand Final and even collected a T‑shirt to prove it. Their agenda for 2026 is crystal clear: chase a historic treble. After already securing the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield this season, the only prize left is the coveted Grand Final victory, a mere step away. The path to that ultimate showdown runs through a semi‑final clash with Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, 26 September, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Wakefield earned their spot by overcoming Leigh in the eliminators, and they arrive in Wigan’s backyard bristling with confidence after a convincing win. The Warriors, under head coach Matt Peet, know they must stay focused on the immediate task rather than looking too far ahead. Peet, who suffered his first Grand Final loss as a head coach when Wigan fell to Hull KR at Old Trafford in 2025, has turned that disappointment into motivation.
"We’ve been through this situation a few times now and learned a lot from it," he told Sky Sports. "It isn’t about discarding everything we did last year; we got some things right, but we weren’t good enough on the night.
This year we’ll do what’s best for the squad at this point in the journey. It’s about looking forward, not backward." If Wigan can lift the Grand Final trophy, it would represent Peet’s tenth piece of silverware since taking the reins of his hometown club in 2022 – an astonishing rate of success. Yet, Peet insists that tallying trophies is secondary to the one that sits directly ahead.
"It’s always the next one that matters," he explained. "We just want to put in a solid performance in the semi‑finals. We’re not obsessing over Old Trafford or the silverware at this stage. We know we’ll be up against a very determined and capable side that’s just come off a fantastic win.
They’ll be battle‑hardened and confident, so we’ll concentrate on that challenge." The 2025 season was a bittersweet one for Wigan. Although they reached the final stages, Hull KR swept the major honors, and Wigan suffered a heavy 24‑6 defeat in the Grand Final, a game in which forward Brad O’Neill was sin‑binned for a dangerous tackle. O’Neill has been a standout performer throughout 2026, earning a place in the Super League Dream Team, and he is eager to redeem that loss.
"Going away together before the semi‑final, when we have a week off, is a great chance to work on the game and bond as a group," O’Neill said. "We’ve done it for a few years now and everyone enjoys it. Last year was a tough one at Old Trafford for me personally and for the club.
Putting those wrongs right would mean a lot to all of us. We’ve given ourselves the best possible chance; now we just need to commit and get through this semi‑final first." The broader playoff picture continues to unfold.
Wakefield earned their semi‑final berth after a 26‑16 victory over Leigh Leopards on Friday, 18 September. Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves dispatched Hull KR 35‑12 on Saturday, 19 September. The remaining semi‑final fixtures are set as follows: Leeds Rhinos versus Warrington Wolves on Friday, 25 September at 8 pm, and Wigan Warriors versus Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, 26 September at 5:30 pm, both on Sky Sports. As the Super League playoffs progress, the excitement builds toward the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October.
For Wigan, the immediate focus is on neutralising a battle‑hardened Wakefield side, executing their game plan, and keeping their eyes on the prize that lies just beyond the semi‑final hurdle. The Warriors’ blend of experience, recent silverware, and a hunger to correct past disappointments positions them as strong contenders for the coveted treble, provided they maintain their concentration and deliver on the day.