The regular Super League season has concluded, and the field has been narrowed to six contenders who will now compete for places in the semi-finals. The draw has been made, the matchups are confirmed, and the path to Old Trafford is clear.
Wigan Warriors delivered a dominant performance to wrap up the domestic double, crushing Catalans Dragons 50-12 to secure the League Leaders' Shield. This victory builds on their earlier Challenge Cup triumph, leaving them one step away from completing the treble if they can claim glory at the Grand Final.
Both Wigan and Leeds Rhinos, who finished second, will enjoy a week's rest before the play-offs begin. Leeds' final-round defeat to Hull FC did not prevent them from securing their place in the top two.
The final league standings saw Wigan Warriors top the table, followed by Leeds Rhinos in second. Warrington Wolves claimed third place, with Wakefield Trinity finishing fourth. Leigh Leopards secured fifth, while Hull KR rounded out the top six.
According to Sky Sports, Hull KR sealed their play-off place with a 36-6 victory over Huddersfield Giants, while Leigh Leopards confirmed their top-six finish by defeating St Helens 48-10. That result also ended St Helens' play-off bid for the first time in the Super League era.
How the play-off format works
The structure is straightforward. Third-place Warrington will face sixth-place Hull KR in one eliminator, while fourth-place Wakefield will take on fifth-place Leigh in the other. The lower-ranked winner of these two contests—the team that finished lowest in the regular season—will then meet Wigan Warriors in one semi-final. The other winner will face Leeds Rhinos in the second semi-final.
This format ensures that the two top-finishing sides, Wigan and Leeds, have a direct route to the semi-finals and will not need to compete in the eliminators.
Eliminator play-off dates and times
The eliminator matches will take place across two consecutive days. Wakefield Trinity will host Leigh Leopards on Friday, September 18, with kick-off at 8pm, live on Sky Sports.
The second eliminator sees Warrington Wolves travel to face Hull KR on Saturday, September 19, at 5:30pm, also broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Semi-final schedule
Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos have already secured their semi-final spots and know the dates they will play, though they await confirmation of their opponents. Leeds will compete in the first semi-final on Friday, September 25, with an 8pm kick-off on Sky Sports.
Wigan Warriors will play in the second semi-final on Saturday, September 26, at 5:30pm, also on Sky Sports. Both matches will be broadcast live.
The winners of these two semi-finals will advance to the Super League Grand Final, scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Old Trafford. According to the official Super League site, this will be the showpiece event where the two remaining teams battle for the trophy.
The road to the Grand Final
Four matches remain before the final two teams are determined. The play-off structure, as confirmed by the Super League, ensures that all six teams have a genuine opportunity to reach Old Trafford, though the top two have the advantage of a bye to the semi-finals.
The entire play-off campaign runs from Friday, September 18, through to the Grand Final on October 3, with all matches broadcast live on Sky Sports. The competition will be whittled down from six teams to two over the course of these four weeks, culminating in the ultimate test of Super League supremacy.
