Knock-out rugby league is upon us with the schedule for the Championship play-offs now confirmed after the final round of the regular season.
York Knights were also crowned as League Leaders Shield winners with Mark Applegarth’s side winning a 19th consecutive game to lift their second piece of silverware this season.
Back in June, the Knights won the 1895 Cup in dramatic golden point fashion as they beat Featherstone Rovers 5-4 and they’ve still not lost since with their winning run stretching all the way back to April.
They actually started the season in poor form, losing their opening three league fixtures with their fourth and final defeat coming away to Featherstone in Round Seven. Since then, the Knights have been perfect and Sunday’s 52-12 win over Batley saw them deservingly crowned as League Leaders Shield winners.
They’ll now bid to win the Grand Final, with the rest of the play-off schedule confirmed.
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.
Championship play-off schedule locked in
The six play-off teams had already been confirmed last week when Halifax’s win over Widnes ensured the Panthers spot in the top six. Their win over Doncaster and Featherstone’s loss against Bradford has seen Fev drop into the sixth spot.
As such, they will now travel to Bradford again in the first round of the play-offs with Oldham set to host Halifax Panthers in the other preliminary game.
The winners of those matches will then travel away to York and Toulouse with the lowest-ranked winner set to face the Knights at the LNER Stadium. Those matches will take place on Friday with Bradford v Featherstone kicking off at 8 pm, whilst Oldham and Fax kick off at 7:45 pm.
Semi-finals will take place the following weekend with the Championship Grand Final set for Sunday 5th October, one day after the Super League play-off semi-finals conclude.
Other results on the final round of the Championship season saw London Broncos beat Widnes Vikings with Mike Eccles now set to step down from his coaching role.
Toulouse kept their form strong ahead of the play-offs as they hammered Hunslet, whilst Sheffield capped a miserable season with a win.
Championship Results
Hunslet 6-68 Toulouse Olympique
Bradford Bulls 22-8 Featherstone Rovers
Doncaster 16-24 Halifax Panthers
Sheffield Eagles 26-12 Barrow Raiders
Widnes Vikings 10-20 London Broncos
York Knights 52-12 Batley Bulldogs
Congratulations, @YorkRLFC 🏆
2025 @Betfred Championship League Leaders’ Shield winners 👏🎉 pic.twitter.com/ezBbpcmx7l
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) September 14, 2025
