It was held on Saturday 24 October 1998, at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom.

By finishing first in the regular season, Wigan qualified directly to the play-off semi-finals.

They were drawn against Leeds at home and beat their eventual Grand Final opponents 17–4.

Drawn at home to Halifax Blue Sox Leeds won 13–6 to go through to the semi-final.

Therefore Leeds' third play-off game was a home tie against St Helens where they cruised through 44–16.