The full set of fixtures for the 2026 Super League season have been revealed, with fans of all clubs finding out who will play when across the season.
What comes with that, though, is that we now know what the play-off format will be come the season’s end, and we head to knock-out rugby to decide who goes to Old Trafford.
With the increase to 14 teams next season, the finals structure was one of many things that needed to be re-evaluated, alongside other key topics such as Magic Weekend and broadcasting rights.
The last two seasons have seen the top six in the league go through, with the bottom six’s campaigns coming to an end at Round 27.
In the first week of finals, the top two each receive a week off, whilst third place takes on sixth and fourth hosts fifth.
The winners of those matches play the top two, with the league leaders welcoming the lowest ranked team and second place facing the highest ranked.
Victory in that match puts you through to the Grand Final, and 80 minutes away from lifting the Super League trophy at the Theatre of Dreams.
Next year, the RFL have confirmed that the same structure will be in operation, following on from the successes the last couple of seasons have seen.
CEO of RL Commercial, Rhodri Jones, explained the decision to Serious About Rugby League earlier this week, but admitted that there is still uncertainty as to what the finals, and league structure, will look like beyond next season.
He said: “The decision has been made to remain at six-team format for 2026, as has been the case for the last couple of years. We’ve had certainly the last two years phenomenal playoff series.
“I will say that there is a full calendar review being undertaken. Now that we’ve done this piece of work, a full calendar review will be taken in line with the broadcaster discussions for 2027 onwards.”
Super League play-off structure for 2026 confirmed as travel plans for England’s World Cup campaign revealed
A move to 14 teams sparked discussions of a switch to a seven-team play-off, which would keep in line with the top half of the league going through and the bottom half going home. However, Jones revealed that clubs opted against that notion, with six teams the preferred choice for the majority.
“We consulted with the clubs,” he said. “There was no clear direction of travel from the clubs and discussed here internally and the determination was we’ll stick with the six-team format.”
The 2026 Super League Grand Final will be held on October 3, which is one week earlier than it was this year. This is due to both stadium availability and the World Cup at the end of the year. This is a long-term change that allows for the event to have it’s own window whilst the football season is on it’s international break.
Jones said: “Instead of it being on the 10th of October, the second Saturday, it’s now on the first Saturday of October and that’s going to be the same now certainly from 2027 through to 2030.
“The Super League grand final will be the third of October in 2026. It’s the same weekend as the NRL grand final, which I don’t believe has happened previously.”
The RL Commercial CEO also confirmed that England would travel to Australia one week before the World Cup kicks off, and are set to arrive Down Under on October 10 at the latest.
Their first match puts them against Tonga in Perth, with that fixture being played on October 17.
