LEICESTER can confirm they will be facing Ipswich in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-finals.
The schedule has been announced with the Watling JCB Lions travelling to Foxhall for the first leg on Monday September 9, and the return fixture is at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Thursday September 12.
The other semi-final features Belle Vue and Sheffield, who will race over the following week, with the Grand Final on September 23 and September 26.
The full Premiership statement issued by the BSP is as follows:
THE schedule for the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-finals has been confirmed – with the title-deciding action getting underway at Ipswich on Monday September 9.
Dates and venues have been agreed for all four meetings in order to provide clarity for supporters intending to attend the events and to assist clubs with planning and publicity.
The Witches face a clash with current form side Leicester, starting at Foxhall, with the second leg to take place at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park 72 hours later on Thursday September 12.
The following week features a ‘War of the Roses’ contest as Belle Vue and Sheffield meet in a repeat of the dramatic 2022 Grand Final, which was won by the Aces before the Tigers took the title last year against Ipswich.
Belle Vue stage the first leg of the semi-final at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday September 16, with the return at Owlerton on Thursday September 19.
The Grand Final will take place over two legs on Monday September 23 and Thursday September 26.
Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “We do realise that the exact finishing positions in the league will only be resolved following next week’s fixtures between Leicester and King’s Lynn.
“However, we have taken a commercial decision with agreement from all clubs involved that it is in everyone’s best interests to have these semi-finals confirmed now.
“The intention was to have a blank week in terms of league matches to enable build-up to the semi-finals, but that had to change due to the weather which meant two fixtures needed to be slotted in during KO Cup Final week.
“It wasn’t going to be ideal to wait until next Thursday to confirm a play-off meeting for the following Monday, and whilst we’ve had a good run with the weather lately you never know when that may change in any case.
“The clubs are in agreement with this decision, and they can now go ahead with promotion and publicity for their semi-finals with full clarity regarding their dates and opponents.”
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9: Ipswich v Leicester
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12: Leicester v Ipswich
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16: Belle Vue v Sheffield
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19: Sheffield v Belle Vue
