NRL Grand Final 2026: Kick-Off Times & How to Watch

The 2026 NRL Grand Final is on Sunday 4 October 2026 at Accor Stadium in Sydney, with the Sydney Roosters taking on the Newcastle Knights. Kick-off is 7.30pm AEDT according to NRL.com and Fox Sports, which is 6.30pm AEST in Brisbane, 7.00pm ACDT in Adelaide, 6.00pm ACST in Darwin and 4.30pm AWST in Perth. Nine says the game is exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and the 9Now app. Fox League is planning build-up analysis and a full replay with its own commentary after the final siren, but it is not showing the match live.

Who is playing?

The Knights are playing their first Grand Final since their 2001 premiership, after finishing last in 2025. The Roosters are chasing their 16th premiership.

Both the men's and women's deciders are on the same day. The NRLW Grand Final is the Roosters against the Brisbane Broncos, and the State Championship final (Penrith Panthers v Redcliffe Dolphins) kicks the afternoon off.

Grand Final day running order (Sunday 4 October, AEDT)

NRL.com's Grand Final Week guide lists this schedule. All times are AEDT, which is Sydney and Melbourne time:

Fox Sports also lists a pre-game show from 7.00pm AEDT.

Kick-off times by state and territory

This is where people get caught out. Daylight saving starts at 2am on Sunday 4 October in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT, so the clocks there go forward to 3am on Grand Final morning. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory don't observe daylight saving. That puts Sydney and Brisbane a full hour apart on Grand Final night.

NRL Grand Final (evening)

The 7.30pm AEDT start is the NRL's own time. The other times are the same moment converted to each local time zone, and they match the lists published by Fox Sports and FootyTonight.

One thing to watch: Nine's media release says its Grand Final coverage runs "from 5.30pm AEST". That is 6.30pm AEDT in Sydney, an hour before the NRL's 7.30pm AEDT kick-off, so it most likely marks the start of Nine's pre-game broadcast rather than the first whistle, but we couldn't confirm that. Treat 7.30pm AEDT (NRL.com and Fox Sports) as the kick-off, and check your local TV guide on the day.

The lead-in games, by city

Nine lists these local start times for the earlier matches:

How to watch the NRL Grand Final

Free: Channel 9 and 9Now

Nine describes the 2026 NRL Grand Final as exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 (9HD) and 9Now. If you can receive Nine through an aerial, you don't need a subscription.

Some third-party sites say the game is on 9Gem rather than Channel 9 in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. We couldn't confirm that split on Nine's own pages, so check your local guide before kick-off.

9Now is Nine's free streaming app. According to Nine's help centre, it works on devices including Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Fetch, Foxtel and Freeview. Nine is also promoting a BATTLECAM second-screen feature on 9Now for the Grand Final, with dedicated player cameras. You'll need a free 9Now account, so set it up well before Sunday. Live streaming depends on where you are in Australia and on Nine's own conditions, so read the 9Now help pages if something won't load.

Paid extras: Fox League on Foxtel and Kayo

Fox Sports says Fox League will provide expert analysis during the build-up and a full replay with its own commentary immediately after the final siren. That is a bonus for Foxtel and Kayo subscribers, not a second live feed. If you're thinking of signing up for Kayo just for this game, don't: the live broadcast is on free-to-air. Check the Kayo app on the day to confirm exactly when the replay lands.

Watching from overseas

Nine's live streaming is aimed at viewers in Australia. NRL.com's Grand Final Week guide lists international broadcasters in some markets, such as Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, Fox Sports 2 in the USA, Sportsnet World in Canada and Sky Sport in New Zealand. Broadcasters change, so check your local TV guide and the NRL's own page.

Which option is right for you?

Watching on a smart TV or streaming stick

Setting up an Amazon Fire TV Stick for the first time? Our Fire TV Stick install guide and Android TV box vs Firestick comparison cover the basics. Samsung or LG owners can follow the smart TV guide.

Tips for a smooth stream

• Use a wired connection if you can. Plug the TV or streaming stick into the router with an Ethernet cable. If you're on wi-fi, move the router into the same room.
• Check your NBN speed. Free-to-air apps generally need much less than a 4K sports stream, but a busy household will still slow things down. Our buffering fix guide covers the settings that matter on a Fire TV Stick.
• Have a plan B. Keep the 9Now app open on your phone so you can cast or switch if the TV drops out.
• Expect a delay. Streams usually run behind the free-to-air broadcast, sometimes by quite a lot. If you're messaging mates on a different platform, expect spoilers.

Looking for more than one match?

For the rest of the year, our guide to IPTV and sports streaming in Australia looks at how viewers combine sports channels, and the IPTV Australia guide for 2026 explains how IPTV works on the NBN. If you're curious and want to try it on your own devices, you can start with a free trial or read more on our Australia page. IPTV is not a substitute for the official broadcasters above for this game, so always check that whatever you use is licensed for the content you want to watch.

A quick word on licensing

The NRL, Nine and Fox pay for the rights to show this game, and they decide where it's available. Stick to the official broadcasters and apps listed above. Australian courts can order internet providers to block overseas piracy sites under section 115A of the Copyright Act 1968, and unlicensed streams tend to be unreliable and can put your devices and payment details at risk. Our country-by-country legality guide has more background. This page is general information, not legal advice.