We’ve hit Week 2 of the Betfred Championship Play-Offs!
Last weekend, Widnes Vikings, Doncaster RLFC, Sheffield Eagles and Midlands Hurricanes all picked up wins to progress to the next round, while Batley Bulldogs and Whitehaven saw their seasons come to an end following defeat in the Eliminators.
Despite losing in the Qualifying Semi-Finals, Oldham and Barrow Raiders remain in contention thanks to this year’s Play-Off format, which gives them a second chance in Week 2.
This weekend, the top two, League Leaders' Shield winners London Broncos and second-placed Newcastle Thunder, enter the mix as the race to the Championship Grand Final further intensifies.
In the first Qualifying Final, league leaders London Broncos welcome Doncaster to the capital, where the winners will go straight through to the Preliminary Finals and find themselves just 80 minutes away from a place in the Grand Final.
The Broncos have enjoyed a remarkable campaign and will be aiming to continue their pursuit of a memorable treble, having already secured both the League Leaders' Shield and 1895 Cup in quick succession.
Doncaster, though, travel south full of confidence after producing one of the standout performances last Sunday, recording an emphatic 72-0 victory over Barrow Raiders.
The sides have met three times during 2026 in both league and cup, with London emerging victorious on each occasion.
Two of those wins came convincingly at the home of the Broncos, but the Dons showed they can certainly trouble the table toppers when they met in Round 11.
In this game, Doncaster were leading until the final six minutes before London finished strongly with a flurry of late tries to snatch victory.
Jason Demetriou’s men will start as favourites, but Doncaster have already shown they are capable of causing problems for the division's top side.
Over in Qualifying Final 2, Newcastle Thunder earned home advantage after finishing second in the regular season and now face a confident Widnes Vikings outfit who will be boosted their superb result in Week 1.
Widnes produced a sensational performance to beat third-placed Oldham 30-24, demonstrating the resilience needed to stay alive in knockout rugby.
Due to the league format, Newcastle and Widnes have not come up against each other in the Championship this year, meeting only once in the quarter-finals of the 1895 Cup, where the Vikings came out on top of a thriller, producing the most dramatic of comebacks (30-20).
While Widnes will be boosted from the events of last weekend, Newcastle go into this tie in outstanding form having won each of their last 15 matches.
Thunder have been one of the competition's most consistent teams throughout 2026 and will take some stopping on home soil.
Who will book their place in the Preliminary Finals, and who will be forced to try again in Week 3?
For Oldham and Midlands Hurricanes in the Elimination Final, it's simple - win and keep their Grand Final hopes intact or lose and the season is over.
Oldham suffered a narrow 30-24 defeat to Widnes Vikings in Week 1 but have an immediate opportunity to respond when they host Midlands.
The Canes earned their place in Week 2 after success over Whitehaven in their Eliminator last weekend and will believe they have every chance of causing another upset.
There was nothing to separate the two clubs during their two meetings in the regular season, with the teams taking a win each, and in turn, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting encounter.
With everything on the line, both teams will know there is no margin for error.
Another winner-takes-all Elimination Final sees Barrow Raiders host Sheffield Eagles.
Barrow suffered a heavy defeat to Doncaster in Week 1 but, like Oldham, have been handed a second chance through the Play-Off structure.
Recent meetings between these sides suggest we can expect a tightly contested battle.
Their last clash at the Speed Competitions Stadium saw the Raiders edge an 18-16 victory thanks to a late Brad Walker penalty goal.
With their seasons at stake, another close match could be on the cards as both sides look to extend their campaigns and advance to Week 3 and the Sudden Death Play-Offs.
Betfred Championship Play-Offs Week 2 fixtures:
Qualifying Final 1 – London Broncos v Doncaster RLFC - Sunday 13 September (K.O. 3pm)
Qualifying Final 2 – Newcastle Thunder v Widnes Vikings - Saturday 12 September (K.O. 5pm)
Elimination Final 1 - Oldham RLFC v Midlands Hurricanes - Sunday 13 September (K.O. 3pm)
Elimination Final 2 - Barrow Raiders v Sheffield Eagles - Sunday 13 September (K.O. 3pm)
Week 3:
Winners of Qualifying Final 1 & 2 – through to home semi-finals
Sudden Death Play Off 1 – Highest Ranked Loser of Qualifying Finals v Lowest Ranked Winner of Elimination Finals
Sudden Death Play Off 2 – Lowest Ranked Loser of Qualifying Finals v Highest Ranked Winner of Elimination Finals
