Grand Final deal announced as Super League receives huge boost

Just days away from the 2024 Super League Grand Final, it’s been announced by the RFL and Rugby League Commercial that a new three-year deal at Old Trafford has been signed.

That means that Super League’s showpiece game will remain at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ until at least 2027, continuing the tradition of it hosting every Grand Final so far, excluding the Covid year.

It’s a stadium that has seen so many iconic moments in Super League history, from Jason Robinson’s try in that first-ever Grand Final in 1998 to Rob Burrow’s iconic score against St Helens.

The newly announced deal means that Old Trafford will play host to the biggest game in the Super League calendar through till 2027, marking the 30th Grand Final.

2024 was the last year on the current deal meaning that Super League may have had to find a new home for its showpiece event but that has now changed.

A deal had been negotiated between Rugby League Commercial and Manchester United Football Club to ensure that Old Trafford remains the home of the Super League Grand Final.

Old Trafford to host Super League Grand Final for the next three years

That news was announced by the RFL and Rugby League Commercial who released a statement to the media.

It read: “Rugby League Commercial and Manchester United Football Club today confirm a new three-year agreement which means Old Trafford will remain the home of the Super League Grand Final until at least 2027.

“Old Trafford was the venue for the first Grand Final in 1998, when Jason Robinson’s famous try secured victory for Wigan Warriors over Leeds Rhinos, as Super League broke new ground for British sport with the unique Saturday night spectacle at the Theatre of Dreams.

“More than two decades on, Grand Final night at Old Trafford has become established as one of the great occasions of the British sporting year – and now, ahead of this Saturday’s 27th Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR, the partnership between Super League and Manchester United has been cemented until the 30th Grand Final.”

What they said as Old Trafford deal secured

Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “It’s perfect timing for us to be able to confirm this extension of Super League’s partnership with Manchester United ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final, as we look forward to another fantastic occasion at Old Trafford this weekend, with our biggest Grand Final crowd for at least seven years.

“Rugby League’s relationship with Old Trafford stretches back well beyond the Super League era, and since 1998 it has gone to another level as the Grand Final has become established, with so many unforgettable moments – including the brilliance of Rob Burrow in two Player of the Match performances for Leeds Rhinos.

“One of the highlights of the 2024 Betfred Super League Grand Final will be the introduction of the Rob Burrow Award for the Player of the Match, which made Rob so happy when it was announced before the start of this season.

“It will be another opportunity for Rugby League to remember Rob, and also to pay tribute to all the other players who have won the Harry Sunderland Trophy at Grand Finals, and before that Premiership and Championship Finals, since it was introduced in 1965.”

Collette Roche, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester United, added: “We are proud to continue the tradition of hosting the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford for another three years. It is always a special event in the national sporting calendar and this weekend will be particularly poignant with tributes being paid to the late Rob Burrow and so many other Rugby League legends.”