Another unmissable Grand Final encounter is expected to unfold the Old Trafford on Saturday when Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors contest the finale to the 2013 Super League season.
Sky Sports will have all the action from Saturday’s grand finale to the domestic rugby league season exclusively live this Saturday, October 5, while terrestrial highlights will again be screened the following day on BBC Two.
This year has already seen two enthralling encounters between Wigan and Warrington, but both sides as well as fans and supporters of rugby league expect Saturday’s game to be the best of them all, with this seen as the Grand Final many had been waiting for.
A showdown regarded by many people as the dream ending to the domestic season was confirmed when Wigan, the current Challenge Cup holders, defeated defending champions Leeds Rhinos 22-12 on Friday night, just 24 hours after Warrington reach the Grand Final with a 30-22 victory over 2013 league leaders Huddersfield Giants.
The match will be rich in significance for the two finalists, and not just because of the pride, prestige and honour that comes with being crowned Super League champions.
For Warrington, a win at Old Trafford on Saturday would bring them their first title of the Super League era and finally banish the disappointment at their defeat by Leeds Rhinos in last year’s Grand Final.
Wigan will be bidding to become only the third club since 1996 to complete a Super League and Challenge Cup double, following in the footsteps of St Helens (1996 and 2006) and Bradford Bulls (2003).
Emotions will run high regardless of the result on Saturday when both clubs bid farewell to some of their most popular and celebrated players.
The Grand Final marks the last match in a Warrington shirt for players such as Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell, Mike Cooper and Brett Hodgson whilst the likes of Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards will be hoping to sign off at Wigan in style.
Tomkins has accepted a lucrative £700,000 move to NRL side the New Zealand Warriors next year, while Warrington captain Morley will join home-town club Salford next season.
Last year, the dramatic climax to the 2012 Super League season saw Leeds Rhinos claim a historic sixth title, beating Warrington Wolves 26-18.
Skipper Kevin Sinfield was the Rhinos hero with a 14-point haul as Warrington missed out on becoming the first team since St Helens in 2006 to win the Challenge Cup and Grand Final double.
This time around, Wigan are aiming to complete the double after their Challenge Cup victory over Hull, with Warrington hoping to go one better than their runner-up berth in Super League a year ago.
Rugby League’s top two clubs and 34 extraordinary players go head to head for the coveted trophy and you can follow all the action from Old Trafford with Sky Sports and BBC Sport’s extensive multi-platform coverage.
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Sky Sports will broadcast exclusive live coverage of the finale to the 2013 Super League season.
Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson present all the action from the showpiece encounter, which will be available both in high-definition and in stunning 3D on the Sky 3D channel.
Further expert analysis and comment comes from Brian Carney and Phil Clarke, while Rod Studd and Bill Arthur provide reports and interviews.
Sky Sports will broadcast a special Grand Final preview show on Friday night with its first airing on Sky Sports 3 at 7.30pm.
Then on Saturday, viewers can settle back to watch a full hour-long build-up to English rugby league’s showpiece occasion, featuring special interviews, features and reports from both camps.
Subscribers can also see the drama unfold via Sky Go, or go online to follow Sky Sports’ interactive blog on the action from Old Trafford.
Friday 4th October
Super League Grand Final Preview
7.30pm-8.00pm Sky Sports 3
Saturday 5th October
Super League Grand Final: Warrington v Wigan
Kick-off: 18:00 | Old Trafford
LIVE: 5.00pm-8.30pm Sky Sports 2 / Sky 3D
BBC Sport will broadcast live radio commentary as well as free-to-air TV highlights of the 2013 Super League Grand Final between Warrington and Wigan.
Tanya Arnold presents highlights on BBC Two and BBC Two HD on Sunday tea-time, with Brian Noble joining her at pitchside for analysis, while match commentary will be provided by Dave Woods and Jonathan Davies.
The programme will be available to watch on-demand via the BBC iPlayer for up to seven days after transmission.
BBC Radio 5 live will have full coverage from Old Trafford following Sports Report at 6pm, with George Riley and Stuart Pyke leading the commentary team.
In addition, there will also be live text commentary available via BBC Sport website, along with local radio coverage on BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Merseyside.
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Sunday 6th October
Rugby League: Super League Grand Final Highlights
5.00pm-6.00pm BBC Two
Bill Arthur surely, not Keith, who does Tight Lines.
Mind you, a Sky Sports mash-up Channel 4 style I wouldn’t mind seeing.
Indeed it should be Bill, not Keith! Thanks for highlighting the error.