The 2026 NRL Grand Final is here, with the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters battling it out for premiership glory at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
The Roosters took care of business against the Dolphins in their preliminary final, before the Knights’ fairytale run continued with a stunning win over the Panthers.
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Here, foxsports.com.au looks at everything you need to know ahead of the NRL decider including the full schedule, odds and weather forecast — and you can follow the game live here.
Knights revel in enormous support | 10:23
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WHO IS IN THE NRL GRAND FINAL?
The Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters will face off for the 2026 premiership.
The Knights are the second team in 90 years to make the Grand Final after being wooden spooners the year before, after the Roosters (2009/10).
They can also become the second team to ever go from wooden spoon to premiers, a feat only achieved by Western Suburbs (1933/34).
It is their first Grand Final appearance since 2001, as they eye their third premiership (1997, 2001).
The Knights join the Cowboys (2017), Bulldogs (2014), Warriors (2011), Roosters (2010) and Eels (2009) in making the Grand Final from outside the top four.
But none of them won the premiership, with only the Broncos (fifth in 1993) and Bulldogs (sixth in 1995) managing it previously.
The Roosters are seeking their first premiership since 2019, and their 16th ever to move into outright second on the all-time table.
It’s their 31st Grand Final appearance.
The Roosters have won 20 of their past 23 games against the Knights including their last six, and both meetings this year (38-24 and 23-22).
If the Roosters win they’ll break the 50-point curse as the first NRL team to win the premiership in the same season they conceded 50 or more points in a match, though they did it while mass resting players.
James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga will battle it out in the Grand Final on Sunday evening.Source: News Corp Australia
WHEN IS THE NRL GRAND FINAL?
The 2026 NRL grand final will take place at Accor Stadium on Sunday October 4 from 7.30pm AEDT.
NSW/VIC – 7:30pm
QLD – 6:30pm
SA – 7pm
WA – 4:30pm
NT – 6pm
HOW TO WATCH
The NRL Grand Final will be shown live on Channel 9, with foxsports.com.au providing rolling coverage across the day.
Fox League will also provide expert analysis during the build-up and a full replay with its own commentary immediately after the final siren.
TEAMS
Roosters
Grand Final team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey 20. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Egan Butcher
Knights
Grand Final team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 14. Harrison Graham 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21 Diesel Hagan
Marky Mark chasing premiership glory | 01:28
WEATHER FORECAST
Quite often Grand Final day turns out to be one of the hotter days of the year, but this time around a top of 25 degrees is expected, per the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fortunately there isn’t any rain anticipated for Sunday either. It looks like it will be a dry, fast track for the decider.
GRAND FINAL DAY SCHEDULE
All times AEDT
1pm – Gates open at Accor Stadium
1.20pm – State Championship kick-off
3.20pm – NRLW Grand Final Pre-Game Show
4pm – NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Final kick-off
7pm – Pre-Game Show
7.30pm – NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final kick-off
Ponga ready for premiership glory | 01:23
WINNER ODDS (at 9am AEDT, 4/10, via TAB)
Roosters $1.44, Knights $2.85
CLIVE CHURCHILL MEDALLIST ODDS (TAB)
Sam Walker (Syd) $4.50
Kalyn Ponga (New) $7
James Tedesco (Syd) $8
Daly Cherry-Evans (Syd) $9
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Syd) $15
Fletcher Sharpe (New) $17
Naufahu Whyte (Syd) $19
Bradman Best (New) $21
Sandon Smith (New) $21
Robert Toia (Syd) $21
Reece Robson (Syd) $23
Victor Radley (Syd) $23
Salesi Foketi (Syd) $34
Siua Wong (Syd) $34
Lindsay Collins (Syd) $34
Harrison Graham (New) $41
Francis Manuleleua (New) $41
Angus Crichton (Syd) $51
Jermaine McEwen (New) $51
Daniel Tupou (Syd) $51
Billy Smith (Syd) $51
Dominic Young (New) $61
Dane Gagai (New) $67
Greg Marzhew (New) $67
Mat Croker (New) $67
Dylan Lucas (New) $67
Cody Hopwood (New) $67
Nat Butcher (Syd) $81
Tyson Frizell (New) $101
Spencer Leniu (Syd) $101
Pasami Saulo (New) $151
Fletcher Hunt (New) $151
Lachlan Crouch (New) $151
TICKETS
The Grand Final is sold out.
GRAND FINAL ENTERTAINMENT
A star-studded group of Aussie musicians will come together for the pre-game entertainment, which will double as a tribute to Jai Arrow.
Music stars will join forces for a pre-game rendition of the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ song and Liverpool FC anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, as a tribute to Arrow.
Pop star Amy Shark will lead the charge alongside members from The Screaming Jets, Peking Duk, Grinspoon, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.
Watson ruled out of grand final | 01:10
MOST RECENT NRL PREMIERS
2025: Brisbane Broncos
2024: Penrith Panthers
2023: Penrith Panthers
2022: Penrith Panthers
2021: Penrith Panthers
2020: Melbourne Storm
2019: Sydney Roosters
2018: Sydney Roosters
2017: Melbourne Storm
2016: Cronulla Sharks
2015: North Queensland Cowboys
2014: South Sydney Rabbitohs
2013: Sydney Roosters
2012: Melbourne Storm
2011: Manly Sea Eagles
2010: St George Illawarra Dragons
2009: Melbourne Storm* (title stripped)
2008: Manly Sea Eagles
2007: Melbourne Storm* (title stripped)
2006: Brisbane Broncos
2005: Wests Tigers
2004: Canterbury Bulldogs
2003: Penrith Panthers
2002: Sydney Roosters
2001: Newcastle Knights
2000: Brisbane Broncos
1999: Melbourne Storm
1998: Brisbane Broncos