The Super League is the name given to the top flight of professional Rugby League in the UK. It contains twelve teams with the majority of them situated in Northern England. It also contains one side from France. The league typically takes place between February and September and concludes with the Super League Grand Final. 

Each Super League team will play 11 times at home during the regular campaign and they will also contest 11 matches on the road. On top of this, there are an additional six ‘loop’ fixtures which will consist of three home/three away games. This new structure has only just been implemented and was introduced at the beginning of the 2019 season.

Magic Weekend adds an additional fixture to the calendar with every side playing at the same stadium across one weekend. This will take place at a randomly selected stadia and past events have been held in Cardiff, Newcastle and Manchester.

As of the 2019 season, one team will be relegated from the Super League with the top five teams entering the play-off series. This will whittle down the field and leave just two sides to complete in the Super League Grand Final.

The Super League Trophy is up for grabs and a place in the World Club Challenge awaits for the winner of the match. The man-of-the-match will be awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

A number of memorable matches have taken place over the last few years in the Super League Grand Final and it is always a hugely competitive and entertaining 80 minutes of Rugby League. Only four sides have ever won this prestigious honour with Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls, St.Helens and the Wigan Warriors sharing the spoils between them. Many other sides have reached the final but haven’t been able to get over the line.

Teams who are victorious in the Super League Grand Final and the Challenge Cup Final are described as “doing the double”. Wigan Warriors have managed it on seven occasions with Leeds the last side to achieve this feat in 2015.

The game itself attracts over 60,000 spectators and it is televised by both the BBC and Sky Sports.

When and Where

The game is always played at Old Trafford in Manchester and it is competed at the end of the Super League season. It is the final game of the campaign and is typically played at the end of September.

Why is the Super League Grand Final So Popular?

The Super League is particularly popular in the North of England although the sport attracts fans from all over Europe. Those who don’t follow the sport closely will often tune in for the Super League Grand Final as it is a very special occasion.

Many Super League enthusiasts have closely followed the action throughout the season and watched a number of matches during the regular campaign and this is the last competitive action until February.

Ardent and passionate Rugby League fans support their local clubs and are rightfully proud of their team’s achievements. They relish the chance to see their team in the Super League Grand Final.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

During the regular season, there are numerous betting opportunities available on each and every game. There are also numerous pre-season wagering opportunities such as match bets (Team A to finish above Team B) and of course, the possibility of predicting which side will win the Super League Grand Final.

There are numerous enhanced odds and special promotions relating to the Super League Grand Final each year. Bookmakers regularly offer additional markets ahead of this showpiece event.

Popular Betting Markets

Betting Markets Leading Up to the New Season

Grand Final Winner – A very simple market which asks punters to predict which side will be victorious in the Super League Grand Final. The holders are usually priced up as the favourites although sides who have been deemed to have conducted savvy transfer business will often be positioned towards the top of the market.

To Reach the Grand Final – This is a case of predicting which side will reach the Grand Final. Your chosen side don’t need to win the match in order to receive a pay-out.

Regular Season Winner – At the end of the regular fixtures, the top five will progress to the play-offs and it is possible to predict which side will finish top of the table after each side have played their 29 fixtures. This is not neccessarily the same side who goes on to clinch the Grand Final.

To Finish Bottom – Not related to the Grand Final but punters can opt to choose which side will be finish bottom of the overall standings and be relegated to the second tier.

Man of Steel – This is awarded to the player of the season and is usually given to a competitor who featured in the Super League Grand Final. Punters can predict which player will pick up this award at the beginning of the campaign.

Super League Grand Final Betting Markets

Draw No Bet – This is a safer way of playing the outright match market. If you back a side on the Draw No Bet (or DNB) market, you will receive your money back if the game ends all-square. This is often used to back perceived underdogs in the contest.

To Go Into Overtime? – Will the match be decided in regulation time or will it require additional minutes?

Handicap Markets – With prices on the outright markets often quite cramped, the handicap markets are usually a popular way of betting in any Super League game. There are usually ample handicap options in the Grand Final. These offer the favourite a handicap (e.g – 6.5 points) and they must overcome this margin in order to pay-out. Underdogs are usually offered a head-start (e.g +6.5 points) and if they stay within seven points of their opponents, this will prove to be a successful bet.

Anytime Tryscorer/First Tryscorer – This is a case of predicting which players will manage to score a try in the Super League Grand Final. Anytime Tryscorer markets will have shorter odds but it’s a more flexible market which allows points to be scored at any time during the match. Other possibilities include: Last Tryscorer and To Score 2 or More Tries.

Total Points Under/Over – Another fairly self-explanatory market which doesn’t require punters to choose which side will win the match. Bettors must decide whether the game will be a high-scoring or low-scoring 80 minutes.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the Super League Grand Final

Recent Form – Momentum is key in the majority of sports but sides who enter the Super League Grand Final off the back of a decent run of form tend to prevail.

Experience is Vital – Sides who have played in this event previously are always likely to have the edge. The occasion can be overwhelming for younger and inexperienced sides and with a vocerifous crowd in place, it is an entirely different proposition to those matches which take place during the regular season. Knowing how to cope with the expectation and pressure that comes with competing in a Grand Final could make all the difference.

Injuries Can be Hugely Disruptive – Injuries happen in every sport but the fast-paced nature of the sport can result in ailments and patched up squads on a regular basis. Always check team news before placing a bet as a missing squad member or two can seriously disrupt momentum and flow.

Is it the end of an era? – There are always additional narratives surrounding the Super League Grand Final with players and coaches often making their last appearances for clubs in this game. If it is a coaches final match in charge, the players could be extra motivated and will do everything in their power to win him some silverware. Also, if a player is taking to the pitch for the final time, his team-mates will be keen to end on a high. These stories and narratives can sometimes make a huge difference in the outcome.

Head to Head – This is not neccessarily a straightforward head-to-head analysis but it’s important to establish whether there is any bad blood between the two teams before placing a bet. I also always look to see if they have competed against one another in the Grand Final previously and if one of the two sides were harshly treated by the officials or felt hard done by, it is sometimes worth backing them to get their revenge.

Where Can I Watch the Super League Grand Final in the UK?

Both the BBC and Sky Sports broadcast the Super League Grand Final. The BBC show highlights from all of the games each week during the regular season whilst Sky Sports tend to show a number of Thursday and Friday night games live.