NRL Finals 2026
The top 8 teams from 27 rounds of NRL 2026 qualify for the finals series. Qualifying Finals through to the Grand Final at Accor Stadium, Sydney.
NRL top-8 finals format (the bracket explained)
The NRL uses a McIntyre Final Eight system. Eight teams qualify based on ladder position after Round 27. The advantage of finishing in the top four is two bites at the cherry — teams 1–4 can lose a game and still make it through to the Preliminary Finals.
| Week | Round name | Who plays | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Qualifying Finals | 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4 | Winners → Week 3. Losers → Week 2. |
| Week 1 | Elimination Finals | 5 vs 8, 6 vs 7 | Winners → Week 2. Losers are eliminated. |
| Week 2 | Semi-Finals | QF losers vs EF winners | Winners → Week 3 (Preliminary Finals). Losers eliminated. |
| Week 3 | Preliminary Finals | 4 remaining teams | Winners → Grand Final. Losers eliminated. |
| Week 4 | NRL Grand Final | 2 teams | Winner = NRL Premiers 2026 |
How to watch the NRL Finals 2026
- Australia
- Fox League (Foxtel), Kayo Sports (A$25/mo), Nine Network free-to-air (selected games + Grand Final)
- UK
- Watch NRL from £12.99/mo — every finals game live, no blackouts
- New Zealand
- Sky Sport NZ; Sky Sport Now from NZ$29.99/mo
- USA & Canada
- Watch NRL from $14.99/mo or CA$19.99/mo
- Rest of world
- Watch NRL — available in most countries internationally
The NRL Grand Final is broadcast free-to-air on Nine Network in Australia, and live on Watch NRL internationally. Kick-off for UK viewers is typically around 09:00–10:00 BST.
The 2026 NRL finals are complete
The 2026 NRL season has finished: the Sydney Roosters beat the Newcastle Knights 19–18 in the Grand Final on 4 October 2026 to win the premiership. Based on the NRL ladder after Round 21 — our last tracked regular-season snapshot, with six rounds still to play at that point — the top 8 at the time were: Penrith Panthers, New Zealand Warriors, Dolphins, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newcastle Knights, Cronulla Sharks.