The NRL Finals Week 1 draw has been confirmed, with four blockbuster matches set to launch the 2026 Telstra Premiership Finals Series.
Minor premiers Penrith will host the Sydney Roosters in a qualifying final, while the New Zealand Warriors and Dolphins will battle for a direct path to the preliminary finals. South Sydney, Newcastle, Cronulla and North Queensland will all face sudden-death elimination finals.
NRL Finals Week 1 Draw 2026
| Match | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Sydney Rabbitohs (6) vs Newcastle Knights (7) | Friday, September 11 | 7:50pm | Allianz Stadium |
| New Zealand Warriors (2) vs Dolphins (3) | Saturday, September 12 | 4:05pm AEST (6:05pm NZT) | Go Media Stadium |
| Cronulla Sharks (5) vs North Queensland Cowboys (8) | Saturday, September 12 | 7:50pm | Allianz Stadium |
| Penrith Panthers (1) vs Sydney Roosters (4) | Sunday, September 13 | 4:05pm | CommBank Stadium |
Qualifying Finals
The top four teams receive a second chance under the NRL finals system, with the winners progressing directly to the preliminary finals.
New Zealand Warriors (2) vs Dolphins (3)
The Warriors will enjoy home-ground advantage at Go Media Stadium in Auckland when they host the Dolphins. Both clubs have enjoyed outstanding seasons and the winner will earn a week off before the preliminary finals.
Penrith Panthers (1) vs Sydney Roosters (4)
Minor premiers Penrith face a heavyweight clash against the Roosters at CommBank Stadium. The Panthers enter the finals as premiership favourites, but the Roosters have one of the competition’s most experienced finals rosters.
Elimination Finals
For teams ranked fifth to eighth, Week 1 is sudden death. The losing side in each elimination final will see their premiership campaign come to an immediate end.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (6) vs Newcastle Knights (7)
Allianz Stadium will host a huge Friday night clash between the Rabbitohs and Knights. With only one for and against separating the two sides at the end of the regular season, this shapes as one of the closest contests of the opening week.
Cronulla Sharks (5) vs North Queensland Cowboys (8)
The Sharks host the Cowboys in another sudden-death encounter. Cronulla finished the regular season in fifth, while the Cowboys secured the final finals position to book their place in September.
NRLW Double Header Confirmed
The NRL has also confirmed a scheduling change for the NRLW competition, with the Round 11 clash between the Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons moved to Allianz Stadium.
The match will kick off at 5:10pm AEST on Saturday, September 12, creating a double-header alongside the Sharks’ NRL elimination final against the Cowboys later that evening.
NRL Finals Tickets
Tickets for all Week 1 finals matches will be available to competing clubs’ ticketed members from 10:00am AEST on Monday, September 7.
Competing clubs’ non-ticketed members and NRL Account Holders will gain access from 4:00pm AEST on the same day.
What Happens in Week 2?
The winners of the qualifying finals will advance directly to the preliminary finals, earning a week off. The losers will host the winners of the elimination finals during Week 2 of the NRL Finals Series.
With several genuine premiership contenders involved, Week 1 shapes as one of the most competitive opening finals weekends in recent memory.
