Rugby league’s men’s Super League Grand Final will stay at Old Trafford until at least 2027 after a new deal was agreed with stadium owners Manchester United.
Other than in the Covid-affected 2020 season, Old Trafford has hosted every Grand Final since its inception in 1998 and also hosted the Rugby League Premiership final and Super League Premiership final between 1987 and 1997.
Saturday’s showpiece event between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR will be the 27th Grand Final to be held, with Old Trafford set to host the 28th, 29th and 30th finals under the new deal.
“It’s perfect timing for us to be able to confirm this extension as we look forward to another fantastic occasion at Old Trafford this weekend, with our biggest Grand Final crowd for at least seven years,” said Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial, the Rugby Football League’s business arm.
“Rugby league’s relationship with Old Trafford stretches back well beyond the Super League era and since 1998 it has gone to another level as the Grand Final has become established.”
This weekend’s Grand Final will also herald the introduction of the Rob Burrow Award for player of the match, which was announced earlier in 2024 before the former Leeds scrum-half’s death from Motor Neurone Disease.
The award replaces the Harry Sunderland Trophy, which has been presented to the player of the match in every final since 1998 and was won twice by Burrow, in 2007 and 2011.
“It will be another opportunity for rugby league to remember Rob and also to pay tribute to all the other players who have won the Harry Sunderland Trophy at Grand Finals, and before that Premiership and Championship Finals,” Jones added.