The League Leaders’ Shield is awarded to the team who tops the Betfred Super League at the end of the regular season.

Currently the League Leaders’ Shield is awarded to the team in top spot following the culmination of the 27th round of Super League action, ahead of the Play-Offs.

The league leaders were crowned champions in the first two seasons of the newly-formed Super League in 1996 and 1997 before the introduction of a Play-Off system and the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

The League Leaders’ Shield was only introduced and awarded to the side who topped the table at the end of the regular season from 2003 onwards.

The team that lifts the League Leaders’ Shield advances straight to the Semi-Finals of the Play-Offs under the current Play-Off structure.

Eight teams have lifted the League Leaders’ Shield since its inception - St Helens (8), Wigan Warriors (5), Leeds Rhinos (3), Warrington Wolves (2), Bradford Bulls (1), Huddersfield Giants (1), Castleford Tigers (1), Catalans Dragons (1).