What time is the NRL Grand Final 2026? Kick-off, daylight saving and teams

Kick-off is 7:30pm AEDT on Sunday 4 October at Accor Stadium, the same morning the clocks go forward. Kick-off times by state, the NRLW decider at 4pm, and who is still in the running.

The 2026 NRL Grand Final kicks off at 7:30pm AEDT on Sunday 4 October at Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park. The pre-game show starts from 6:30pm. The NRLW Grand Final goes first, at 4pm.

There is one catch. Daylight saving starts in NSW that same morning, so clocks jump forward an hour at 2am. Below are the kick-off times for every state, the preliminary finals that decide who plays, and how to watch the game.

NRL Grand Final 2026 timetable

Gates and kick-off times come from the Accor Stadium grand finals event page. The finish time is an estimate, because golden point can push it later.

How daylight saving changes kick-off around Australia

Daylight saving starts in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia on the morning of the grand final. Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia stay on standard time. As a result, the same kick-off lands at different times depending on where you are watching.

• NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania: 7:30pm AEDT
• Queensland: 6:30pm AEST
• South Australia: 7pm ACDT
• Northern Territory: 6pm ACST
• Western Australia: 4:30pm AWST

Phones update automatically, but oven clocks, car clocks and the odd smartwatch do not. Anyone booking a table or meeting friends should check the time twice that day.

Who is playing in the 2026 NRL Grand Final?

The two grand finalists come out of this weekend’s preliminary finals.

• Dolphins v Sydney Roosters: Friday 25 September, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights: Sunday 27 September, Accor Stadium, Sydney

The Roosters got here by thrashing Cronulla 46-10 in their semi-final. Meanwhile, the Knights knocked out the Warriors to earn a trip to Penrith’s home finals venue.

That means a Sydney club is guaranteed at least one shot at a grand final spot. A Roosters v Panthers decider would be an all Sydney grand final. By contrast, a Dolphins v Knights final would leave Sydney without a local side on its own turf.

The winners will be confirmed by Sunday night, 27 September. This article will be updated with the teams.

The NRLW Grand Final

The NRLW Grand Final kicks off at 4pm AEDT on the same ground, so one ticket covers both games. It is a strong reason to get to Accor Stadium early rather than arriving for the men’s pre-game show.

For fans watching at home, the double header makes grand final Sunday a long afternoon and evening of footy. Plan food and drinks around a roughly six hour window.

How to watch the NRL Grand Final on TV

The NRL Grand Final is free to air on Channel Nine and streams on 9Now. Fox League and Kayo also carry it live, with extra pre-game coverage. Pre-game entertainment performers had not been confirmed when this article was published, so check the NRL’s announcements closer to the day.

Getting to Accor Stadium

Trains to Olympic Park station run on the special event timetable, and driving in is slow on grand final day. Check Transport for NSW before you leave, and allow extra time because of the clock change that morning. Grand final ticket holders also get complimentary entry to Epsom Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday 3 October.

Watching the grand final at a restaurant

Most fans without a ticket will watch at a pub, club or restaurant. For next year, the NRL Grand Final screenings page is where venues and deals get updated once they are set.

In Canterbury-Bankstown, Elements Brasserie Belmore at 721a Canterbury Road is a local steakhouse with the game on the screens.

In the Inner West, SCHNITI Haberfield at 217 Ramsay Street pairs the decider with schnitzel and bold Italian flavours.

Menus and venue details for Belmore are on the Elements Brasserie website.

For more places to eat around Haberfield, Leichhardt and Five Dock, see the Inner West dining guide.

Frequently asked questions

What time is the NRL Grand Final 2026?

Kick-off is 7:30pm AEDT on Sunday 4 October 2026, with pre-game entertainment from 6:30pm.

Does daylight saving affect the NRL Grand Final?

Yes. Daylight saving starts in NSW at 2am that morning, so kick-off is 7:30pm on the new time. In Queensland, it is 6:30pm AEST.

What time is the NRLW Grand Final 2026?

The NRLW Grand Final kicks off at 4pm AEDT at Accor Stadium, before the men’s game.

Where is the 2026 NRL Grand Final being played?

At Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park.

What channel is the NRL Grand Final on?

Channel Nine and 9Now show it free to air, with Fox League and Kayo also broadcasting live.

When will the grand final teams be known?

After the preliminary finals on Friday 25 September and Sunday 27 September 2026.

Booking for grand final Sunday

Kick-off is 7:30pm on the new time, and the good tables go early. Book online with Dine with Elements, or call 1300 ELEMENTS (1300 353 636) for groups of ten or more.