Rhinos and Robins to kick off Betfred Super League’s Final Charge

Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR will kick off Betfred Super League’s Final Charge at AMT Headingley on Thursday night – as the countdown intensifies towards Grand Final night at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 11.

With five rounds of fixtures remaining, the jostling for places in the top six Play-Offs is fiercer than ever – and ticket sales for Old Trafford are more than 25% up on the equivalent position last year, when the attendance of 68,173 for Wigan Warriors’ victory over Hull KR was the best for a Grand Final since 2017.

Hull KR have a six-point lead at the top of the table after last Friday’s compelling 10-6 win at Wigan in front of a 20,000-plus crowd – meaning five points from their remaining five matches would secure a first ever League Leaders’ Shield for Willie Peters’ Robins.

The Warriors remain second, and on course to earn a bye through the first round of the Play-Offs with Hull KR – but Leeds and St Helens, the most successful clubs of the Super League era, have each closed to within two points, with Leigh Leopards only one point behind them.

The reward for finishing third and fourth is home advantage in the elimination fixtures in the first round of the Play-Offs in late September, while there is an equally intriguing battle for the sixth place in the Play-Offs between Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and Warrington Wolves.

Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial:

“After a record-breaking Play-Off series in 2024, the signs are that the leading Betfred Super League clubs are ready to go to another level this autumn.

“And where better to launch The Final Charge – for play-off places and then Grand Final night at Old Trafford – than AMT Headingley on Thursday night, with another bumper crowd and passionate atmosphere guaranteed for the battle between the Rhinos and the Robins?

“There are two more huge fixtures in Round 23, with St Helens aiming to continue their late-season surge on Friday night at home to a Hull FC team who will be buoyant after their weekend win against Leigh, before the attention returns to The Brick Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon when Wigan host Wakefield Trinity.

“Round 24 has two massive matches on the east coast, with Hull KR facing St Helens on Friday August 29 and the Rhinos travelling to Hull FC the following afternoon, and then Round 25 is Rivals Round Part Two – the local derbies that are always a feature of Super League’s Easter weekend and delivered some electrifying action on Good Friday, but reversed - so Wigan go to St Helens, and Hull KR host Hull FC.

“As ever, Sky Sports will be live at every Betfred Super League fixture and concentrating their focus on the matches in the Final Charge – starting at Leeds this Thursday night.

“And they will be joined by BBC Sport in live coverage of two matches from the Play-Off series, as well as one more match before the end of the regular season.

“It’s already been a landmark Betfred Super League season, the 30^th since the competition was launched in 1996 and featuring a record-breaking Thursday night opener between Wigan and Leigh, the groundbreaking Round 3 fixture between Wigan and Warrington in Las Vegas, and Super League’s best-attended Easter weekend.

“We’ve seen a record-equalling rush past an aggregate attendance of 1m, in exactly 100 games, and that trend is continuing with the competition average of 10,033 after 22 rounds almost 10% up on the equivalent stage last year.

“Viewing figures on Sky Sports and BBC Sport have also been positive, and Friday’s Wigan-Hull KR showdown attracted the fourth highest peak figure of the season on Sky Sports – even going up against the Premier League opener at Liverpool.

“And we believe the best is yet to come, as we aim to beat last year’s Grand Final crowd and break through 70,000.”

Betfred Super League Grand Final tickets are on sale now from just £30 for adults, and £15 for Juniors, available here. Book your ticket for Thursdays massive clash between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR at AMT Headingley by clicking here.

What’s more Super League is proud to confirm that the Northern Community Stand is back for 2025, meaning schools, community clubs, and junior sports teams can attend the biggest night for the smallest prices. To find out if you’re eligible for £2.50 tickets for U16s and £25 seats for accompanying adults, contact Groups@RLCommercial.co.uk.