Leigh Leopards vs Wigan Warriors live on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and Sky Sports: who is commentating tonight?

Match date: 31 July 2026

Leigh Leopards v Wigan Warriors is being covered across both radio and TV on Friday evening, with BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport Online providing audio coverage, while Sky Sports Action HD, Sky Sports+ TV HD and the Sky Sports+ app carry the televised broadcast. The Super League derby kicks off at 20:00 UK time at Leigh Sports Village, and it is one of the most watchable fixtures on the calendar because of the local rivalry and recent high-scoring meetings between the two sides.[5][12][2]

On BBC audio, Alex Whitington is presenting, with Trevor Hunt on main commentary and Ben MacNamara plus Chris Hill as co-commentators. On Sky Sports, Brian Carney is presenting, supported by pundits Jon Wilkin and Courtney Winfield-Hill, with Megan Wellens reporting from the ground.[5][12]

Brian Carney is one of rugby league’s best-known broadcasters because he first made his name as a top-level winger before moving into punditry and presenting, while Jon Wilkin is widely recognised for a long Super League career and subsequent work as a sharp, analytical Sky Sports pundit. Courtney Winfield-Hill has built a profile as a dual-code rugby figure and broadcaster, and her presence adds a fresh tactical perspective to Sky’s coverage. Megan Wellens is a regular rugby league reporter for Sky, bringing match-day detail and interviews from the touchline.[12]

For listeners, the BBC offering is especially useful because it combines local and national radio access with BBC Sounds and online audio, making it easy to follow the game on the move. For viewers, Sky’s linear channels and streaming options provide the full pre-match build-up, in-game analysis and post-match reaction that typically come with Super League’s flagship broadcast package.[5][12]

This fixture comes with a strong recent history. BBC reporting shows that Leigh and Wigan have produced dramatic swings in form and scorelines during the 2026 season, including a Leigh comeback win and heavy Wigan victories in other meetings.[6][3][4] That mix of rivalry and unpredictability is a major part of the appeal, and it is one reason the match remains attractive for both radio and TV coverage.

Leigh Sports Village is the venue for the contest, and Leigh’s official fixtures list confirms the 20:00 start time.[5] Wigan Warriors’ own site and the Super League fixture listings also list the match on the Friday night schedule, underlining its importance in the round’s programme.[20][12]

For background, the clubs remain two of the most established names in the competition, and their official sites continue to provide team information and club news for supporters who want to follow developments beyond the live broadcast.[19][20] If you want to read more about the competition itself, the official Super League site has the latest fixture and match-centre information: Super League.

With Trevor Hunt, Alex Whitington, Brian Carney and Jon Wilkin all involved, tonight’s coverage offers two different but complementary ways to follow one of the Super League’s biggest local rivalries.

Article generated: 31 July 2026, 20:00 GMT