NRL, NRLW and Koori Knockout: How to Watch the Grand Finals Weekend

Rugby league fans across Australia are turning their attention to Stadium Australia in Sydney and King Park Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace as the NRL and NRLW grand finals and the Koori Knockout converge on the weekend of October 2 to October 5, 2026, sbs.com.au reported.

Stadium Australia and King Park Host Weekend Matchups

The men’s premiership decider features the Sydney Roosters against the Newcastle Knights, while the women’s grand final pits the Sydney Roosters against the Brisbane Broncos. Meanwhile, the Koori Knockout has already begun on Worimi Country in Raymond Terrace within New South Wales’ Hunter region, drawing 180 teams across men’s, women’s, and junior divisions. The Newcastle Yowies, reigning champions of the Koori Knockout, are hosting the four-day event at King Park Sporting Complex, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to the area.

Roosters and Broncos Meet in Women’s Decider

The NRLW grand final takes place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Stadium Australia. The competition has expanded from four teams in its inaugural 2018 season to 12 clubs spanning Australia and New Zealand. Sunday’s fixture sets up a rematch of the previous season’s decider, which saw the Brisbane Broncos defeat the Sydney Roosters. Kickoff times vary by region, scheduled for 4:00 pm in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania; 3:30 pm in South Australia; 3:00 pm in Queensland; 2:30 pm in the Northern Territory; and 1:00 pm in Western Australia. Channel 9 and its digital platform 9Now hold exclusive broadcast rights for the match.

Knights Seek First Premiership in 25 Years

Following the women’s match, the men’s NRL grand final kicks off on the evening of Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Stadium Australia. The Newcastle Knights enter the fixture aiming for their first premiership victory in 25 years, whereas the Sydney Roosters pursue another title following consecutive premierships in 2018 and 2019. Start times for the men’s decider are set for 7:30 pm in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania; 7:00 pm in South Australia; 6:30 pm in Queensland; 6:00 pm in the Northern Territory; and 4:30 pm in Western Australia. Channel 9 and 9Now broadcast the game exclusively, with no coverage on subscription services like Kayo or Fox Sports.

Pre-Game Entertainment Honors Retired Player Jai Arrow

Pre-match entertainment faced initial uncertainty after negotiations with Australian artist Tones and I ended without an agreement. NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys subsequently announced an 11-minute surprise entertainment segment.

I’ve got to tell you it’ll be the highest-rating 11 minutes you will ever see, because no one knows what it is, and we won’t tell until the night, Peter V’landys told reporters earlier in the week.

The pre-game show pays tribute to retired South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow, who stepped away from the sport earlier in the year following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, a fatal neurodegenerative condition. The performance lineup includes pop artist Amy Shark, Newcastle rock band The Screaming Jets, and electronic music duo Peking Duk. Performance fees for participating artists are designated for motor neurone disease charities.

NITV Broadcasts Indigenous Knockout Tournament

Running from Friday, October 2, 2026, to Monday, October 5, 2026, the Koori Knockout serves as a significant cultural gathering and a talent pathway for Indigenous rugby league players. Past participants include prominent NRL players such as Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, and Greg Inglis. National Indigenous Television broadcasts the tournament exclusively across National Indigenous Television, SBS On Demand, and digital platforms, with live coverage of men’s and women’s matches beginning at 9:00 am Australian Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, October 4, 2026, which translates to 8:30 am in South Australia, 8:00 am in Queensland, 7:30 am in the Northern Territory, and 6:00 am in Western Australia.

Tournament Finales Conclude on Monday

The Koori Knockout concludes its four-day schedule on Monday, October 5, 2026, at King Park Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace, wrapping up a weekend that features both the grassroots Indigenous tournament and the professional grand finals at Stadium Australia.