Wigan face Wakefield as Super League play-offs reach semi-finals

Wigan Warriors have completed the first part of a potential treble and will now meet Wakefield Trinity in the Super League play-off semi-finals. Their route to the League Leaders’ Shield was sealed with a commanding 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, adding the regular-season prize to the Challenge Cup they have already won.

The result leaves Wigan two victories away from claiming every major domestic honour available to them. Their next opponents, Wakefield, reached the last four by defeating Leigh Leopards 26-16 in Friday’s eliminator. Warrington Wolves then earned the other semi-final place with a 35-12 win over Hull KR.

Sky Sports reports that the four remaining clubs are now confirmed, with the winners of next week’s matches advancing to the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

How the final four was decided

The play-off system paired the third-placed team with the sixth-placed side in one eliminator, while the clubs in fourth and fifth contested the other. Warrington finished third and were drawn against Hull KR, who ended the regular season sixth. Wakefield occupied fourth place and faced Leigh, who finished fifth.

Wakefield’s success ensured a meeting with Wigan because the lower-ranked winner of the two eliminators is sent to the home of the League Leaders’ Shield winners. With Wakefield placed below Warrington in the final table, they will travel to Wigan for the second semi-final.

Warrington’s victory instead sends them to Leeds Rhinos, who finished second. Leeds will have home advantage despite losing to Hull FC in the final round of league fixtures. Both Leeds and Wigan have had a week without a match before the semi-finals, giving the top two sides additional preparation time after the regular season.

The completed top six were Wigan, Leeds, Warrington, Wakefield, Leigh and Hull KR. Only four remain in contention for the title.

Semi-final schedule

Leeds will host Warrington on Friday September 25, with the match beginning at 8pm. The contest brings together the second- and third-placed teams from the league table, with Warrington arriving after their decisive eliminator win.

Wigan and Wakefield will meet the following day, Saturday September 26. Kick-off is scheduled for 5.30pm at Wigan’s home ground, where the League Leaders’ Shield winners will try to continue their pursuit of a clean sweep of trophies.

Both semi-finals will be shown live on Sky Sports. The results will determine the two teams that reach the season-ending fixture, leaving the competition with a direct path from the league’s top six to a final between the remaining pair.

Grand Final destination

The Super League Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday October 3 at Old Trafford, with kick-off at 6pm. Sky Sports will broadcast the match.

For Wigan, reaching the final would keep alive the possibility of following their Challenge Cup success and League Leaders’ Shield triumph with the league title. Leeds, Warrington and Wakefield are seeking to prevent that outcome, while also claiming the trophy that all four remaining teams are pursuing.

The play-off picture is therefore straightforward: Leeds and Warrington meet first, followed by Wigan and Wakefield. The two winners will then go to Old Trafford to decide the Super League champion.