The preliminary finals are done. The dust has settled — and what a fortnight it’s been.
Four weeks ago, eight teams were still in the hunt. Now there are two left standing, and they couldn’t be more different in how they got here. The 2026 NRL Grand Final is set: the Sydney Roosters against the Newcastle Knights, Sunday 4 October, 6:30pm AEST at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Get your mates together. This one’s going to be something.
At the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich, we’ll have every moment live and loud on the big screens. Cold drinks, a cracking atmosphere, and one of the most compelling grand final storylines the NRL has produced in years.
How We Got Here: The Preliminary Finals
Roosters 36 def. Dolphins 20 — Friday 25 September, Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
The Roosters served early notice that they meant business. In front of a sold-out crowd of over 52,000 at Kayo Stadium, they put the Dolphins away in ruthless fashion, leading 16-0 inside 27 minutes and never letting up.
The story of the night was Mark Nawaqanitawase. The winger pulled off one of the intercept runs of the season in the 18th minute — snatching a Dolphins pass that should have led to a try at the other end, then racing 90 metres to open the scoring. He added a second later in the game and was virtually unplayable all night.
The bigger story was Sam Walker. The halfback returned from a syndesmosis injury in a record-equalling 27 days to direct the backline, and his performance was a masterclass. He crossed for a try of his own in the 68th minute to put the result beyond doubt, before coming off as a precautionary measure. Robinson later confirmed he’s good to go for the grand final.
The Dolphins had an extraordinary 2026 — their first ever finals appearance and their first preliminary final. A cruel finish to a landmark season. They’ll be back.
Knights 22 def. Panthers 14 — Sunday 27 September, Panthers Stadium, Penrith
Nobody will be talking about anything else in rugby league circles for days.
The Newcastle Knights, wooden spooners in 2025, have pulled off one of the greatest upsets in modern finals history. They came from 14-6 down against the minor premiers, played the second half with only 12 men after Phoenix Crossland was sent off, and still won. 22-14.
The moment that will define this match — and possibly this entire season — came when Nathan Cleary went down in the first half with a catastrophic broken leg after a hip drop tackle from Crossland. Kalyn Ponga was in tears at the final siren. The Panthers lost Blaize Talagi to a torn Achilles in the same game. Two serious injuries, a player sent off, and the Knights still held on.
Sandon Smith sealed it with an 80-metre intercept try late in the match — going straight to the side he’ll now face in the grand final.
A 25-year wait is over for Newcastle. Their last grand final appearance was 2001.
The Grand Final Match-Up
Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights
Sunday, 4 October 2026 — Kick-off 6:30pm AEST
Accor Stadium, Sydney
(A note for Queenslanders: daylight saving kicks in in New South Wales on Grand Final day, so it’s 7:30pm Sydney time. For us in Queensland, it’s 6:30pm AEST. Same as it’s always been for every other final this season.)
The Story of the Roosters
This was supposed to be a team rebuilding. After a seven-year grand final drought, questions lingered all season about their halves, their depth, and whether Trent Robinson could squeeze another premiership out of a squad in transition.
September answered all of them.
The Roosters dismantled Cronulla 46-10 in their semi-final, then took care of the Dolphins in a preliminary final that never really felt in doubt after the first quarter. Nawaqanitawase has emerged as one of the competition’s most dangerous players, and Walker — when fit — looks as good as he’s ever been.
Trent Robinson is chasing his fourth premiership. His record in grand finals is three from three.
The Story of the Knights
This is the one that footy fans will be talking about long after the season is over.
From the wooden spoon in 2025 to the grand final in 2026. Newcastle lost high-profile halfback signing Dylan Brown early in the season. They fell behind by eight points against the minor premiers this afternoon. They finished with 12 men. And they’re in the grand final.
Coach Justin Holbrook sent the same 19-man squad out that upset the Warriors at Eden Park in the semi-finals, and they delivered again. Kalyn Ponga was magnificent — and emotional. For Newcastle fans who have waited since 2001 for this moment, that reaction at full-time said everything.
The last time the Knights were in a grand final, they won it.
Why This Grand Final Has Everything
A seven-year drought against a 25-year wait. Experience versus momentum. The hottest winger in the competition against the most inspiring underdog story of the season.
The Roosters are battle-tested and led by a coach who wins grand finals. The Knights got here the hard way — and there’s something to be said for a team that fights back from 14-6 down while playing a man short and still wins.
Neither side has a weakness that’s been exposed in September. That’s what makes Sunday the 4th such a big occasion.
Watch the NRL Grand Final at Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich
There is no better place to watch it than with your mates at the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich.
Live and loud on the big screens — every tackle, every try, every moment
Cold drinks and a proper finals atmosphere — the way footy should be watched
Kick-off 6:30pm AEST — lock it in now
Whether you’re backing the Roosters to end their seven-year drought or cheering on the Knights to complete one of the great comeback stories in NRL history, Sunday the 4th is going to be a night to remember.