Wakefield Trinity Stuns Wigan Warriors to Reach First Super League Grand Final

Wakefield Trinity produced a stunning upset to defeat Wigan Warriors 33-6 in the Betfred Super League play-off semi-final, securing their first-ever appearance in the Grand Final. The victory also ended Wigan's hopes of achieving a treble in 2026.

Having held an 8-6 lead at halftime, Wakefield capitalized on a second-half yellow card for Wigan center Adam Keighran. During Keighran's absence from the sin-bin, tries from Tom Johnstone, Jack Sinfield, and Corey Hall extended Wakefield's lead. Johnstone had previously responded to Wigan's opening try from Brad O'Neill, and Ky Rodwell added a fifth try for Wakefield, contributing to 33 unanswered points.

Wakefield, who were a Championship side as recently as 2024, have undergone significant progress under owner Matt Ellis and head coach Daryl Powell. They will now face Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final on Saturday, October 3.

Wigan entered the semi-final on a 16-game winning streak, having already secured the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders' Shield. However, their bid for a fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance was thwarted by Wakefield's dominant performance.

This result guarantees a new champion will be crowned, as only five clubs—Wigan, St Helens, Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, and Hull KR—have won a Grand Final since the competition began in 1998. This marks the second consecutive year a new champion will be crowned, following Hull KR's victory in 2025.

Warrington, who will contest their fifth Grand Final, have lost all previous appearances, with their most recent being in 2018. The narrative also includes coach Daryl Powell, who previously had a brief spell with Warrington, and Jack Sinfield, whose father, Sir Kevin Sinfield, a seven-time Grand Final winner with Leeds Rhinos, is scheduled to deliver the match ball before the final as part of a fundraising effort for motor neurone disease charities.

"Hopefully he'll be there!" Jack Sinfield told BBC Two. "He's not here tonight because he's starting in the morning, but I'm sure he'll be watching and I can't wait to see him next week. I've been there [to Grand Finals] a fair few times watching so it will be nice to do it the other way round and he can hopefully watch me win one."