The stage is officially set for the 2026 NRL Premiership Finals Series after the league locked in the dates and venues for a blockbuster opening week.
The schedule confirmation arrives hot on the heels of a dramatic regular season finale where the Penrith Panthers thrashed the Wests Tigers to clinch their fourth Minor Premiership in seven years.
Week One kicks off with a high-stakes Friday night Elimination Final at Allianz Stadium between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Newcastle Knights.
Saturday features a trans-Tasman double-header with the New Zealand Warriors hosting the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium, followed by the Cronulla Sharks taking on the North Queensland Cowboys back at Allianz Stadium.
The opening weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon with a heavyweight Sydney derby as Minor Premiers Penrith lock horns with the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys celebrated the announcement by highlighting a record-breaking regular season.
“The 2026 regular season has been the most attended and most watched ever,” ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said.
“Well over four million people attended Premiership matches and more than 150 million people watched our Premiership games.
“The Minor Premiership came down to the final match in the final round of the regular season. Congratulations to Penrith Panthers on a fourth minor premiership in seven years.
“The game is in a brilliant position. It is the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific and is continuing to grow in Australia, New Zealand and in other parts of the world.
“It has never been more popular and our fans will be rewarded with a Finals Series filled with highlights from the best athletes on the planet.”
Fans eager to secure their seats can snap up tickets starting today, with sales opening for competing clubs’ ticketed members at 10AM AEST, followed by non-ticketed members and NRL Account Holders at 4PM AEST.
