Top six play-offs

After a top five play-off system was used, a play-off structure involving the top six teams was used to determine the winners of the Super League competition in British rugby league from 2002 through 2008.

Apart from the Grand Final, all matches were staged at the home ground of the team placed higher in the final league table. A similar system was used by the Australian National Soccer League and is now used by the A-League to decide its champions. From week two on the Top Six play-offs system reflects exactly the Page playoff system.

With the expansion of Super League from 12 teams to 14 for 2009, the number of teams making the play-offs increased from 6 to 8. For details of the new system, see Super League play-offs.

How it worked

Week One

• Elimination Semi-final A: 3rd vs 6th
• Elimination Semi-final B: 4th vs 5th

Week Two

• Qualification Match: 1st vs 2nd
• Elimination Final: Winners of Elimination Semi-final A vs Winners of Elimination Semi-final B

Week Three

• Final Qualifier: Losers of Qualification Match vs Winners of Elimination Final

Week Four

• Grand Final: Winners of Qualification Match vs Winners of Final Qualifier

Competitions

In addition to the Super League, the top six system is also used in the Championship and the Championship One, as well Rugby League Conference National.

See also

• McIntyre System
• Top five play-offs
• Page playoff system