We’ve looked at the last time every Super League side made the play-offs with some teams hoping to break a lengthy drought in 2026.
Whilst the Super League play-off system has changed regularly over the years, it’s set to remain the same for the seventh straight season.
As it stands, the top six teams after the end of the regular season qualify for the play-offs with first and second receiving byes straight to the semi-finals. The first round of the play-offs sees third host sixth and fourth host fifth, with the winners progressing to meet first and second in the semi-finals.
With Super League moving to 14 teams for 2026, there had been some reports suggesting an eight-team play-offs had been considered but that idea has been shelved.
That means six more teams will make the play-offs by September and that could be the first time in a long time for some clubs. We’ve looked at when every current Super League club last made the play-offs with some having never made it at all.
The last time each Super League club made the play-offs
2025 – Hull KR, Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens & Wakefield Trinity
Starting with last year and the six most recent sides to grade the Super League play-offs. Most of these have been regulars, however, it was Wakefield Trinity who ended their own play-off drought last season having last previously made the post-season in 2012.
2024 – Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess guided Wire to the play-offs in his first season in charge before missing out in 2025. Recently relegated Salford also made the top six in 2024.
2023 – Catalans Dragons
Les Dracs finished second in 2023, edging out St Helens on points difference and then beating them again to make it to the Grand Final, where they lost to Wigan Warriors.
2022 – Huddersfield Giants
Ian Watson took Huddersfield to the Challenge Cup Final in 2022 but also a third-placed finish, Huddersfield’s highest in years. They’ve yet to make the top six since then.
2020 – Hull FC
The last time the Black and Whites made the top six was in the Covid-impacted season of 2020 when Andy Last saw out the season after Lee Radford’s shock firing.
2019 – Castleford Tigers
Ryan Carr is tasked with returning the Tigers to the play-offs for the first time since 2019, a year when Paul McShane won the Man of Steel as he registered 19 assists.
2008 – Bradford Bulls
Bradford will return to Super League for the first time since 2014 but the last time they’d made the play-offs was way back in 2008 when Fijian winger Semi Tadulala scored 17 tries for them.
Never – Toulouse Olympique and York Knights
York have yet to play in Super League whilst Toulouse’s sole campaign in 2022 saw them finish 12th.
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