NRL Grand Final 2026: Roosters v Knights at Accor Stadium

Two weeks ago the Dolphins had never won a finals match — they had never even reached a finals series. On 12 September they beat the Warriors 26-16 to book a home preliminary final — the first genuine finals win the club has recorded since it entered the competition. That is the kind of thing that happens in September. A team that has spent three seasons finding its feet suddenly finds itself one win from a grand final, and the ladder it built its whole regular season around stops mattering the moment week one of the finals kicks off.

Six teams are still alive. Here is exactly where each of them stands, and what is left to play.

Who’s already through

Penrith finished the regular season as minor premiers and won their qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters, which sends them straight into a preliminary final without playing this weekend — the reward for finishing on top. It is another September in a finals bracket for a club that has barely left one since 2020.

The Dolphins did it the harder way. They needed to beat the Warriors in an elimination-style qualifying final just to stay alive, and did — 26-16 — which was enough not just to survive but to earn a home preliminary final. For a club in its fourth season, and its first-ever finals campaign, that is uncharted territory.

Both Penrith and the Dolphins now have a bye this weekend while four other teams fight for the two remaining preliminary final spots.

This weekend’s semi-finals

Sydney Roosters 46 def. Cronulla Sharks 10 — Saturday 19 September, Sydney Football Stadium. A one-sided second half sends the Roosters through to a preliminary final against the Dolphins at Lang Park, Brisbane, on Friday 25 September.

Newcastle Knights 12 def. New Zealand Warriors 10 — Sunday 20 September, Eden Park, Auckland, in front of 48,511. The Knights reach a preliminary final for the first time since 2013, and the finish was ugly — projectiles were thrown at the referees after three late decisions went Newcastle’s way, which Warriors coach Andrew Webster called “frustrating” afterwards.

The Roosters are through. They beat the Dolphins 36-20 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 25 September in front of 52,286, leading 16-0 inside 27 minutes and holding on through a Dolphins fightback. It is the Roosters’ first grand final since 2019. Halfback Sam Walker, back 27 days after ankle surgery, scored the try that sealed it — against the club whose round-26 win put him on the sideline in the first place.

Newcastle Knights 22 def. Penrith Panthers 14 — Sunday 27 September, Accor Stadium. Penrith led 14-6 at half-time, but lost Nathan Cleary to a compound leg fracture just before the break; Phoenix Crossland was sent off for the tackle. Newcastle played the whole second half a man down and still scored three tries to none — Dom Young, then two to Sandon Smith, the second an 80-metre intercept. It is Newcastle’s first grand final since 2001. Full write-up. For the Dolphins, a first finals campaign in club history ends one win short.

The grand final

The 2026 grand final is Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights, Sunday 4 October at Accor Stadium, Sydney. The Roosters are there for the first time since 2019; Newcastle for the first time since they won it in 2001. Both got there the hard way — the Roosters came from third after beating the Dolphins in Brisbane, the Knights won three straight knockout matches, two of them away, and the last of them with twelve men.

Grand final week

What time the grand final kicks off, and the full Accor Stadium programme including the NRLW decider. Newcastle are without hooker Phoenix Crossland, suspended for four games at Tuesday’s judiciary. And for context on how long this club has waited: the last grand final Newcastle played was in 2001, when they led 24-0 at half-time.

We’ll keep this page updated as results come in.

The result

Sydney Roosters 19 defeated Newcastle Knights 18 — Sunday 4 October, Accor Stadium, crowd 80,814. Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time through Francis Manuleleua and Kalyn Ponga; Mark Nawaqanitawase scored twice and Billy Smith once to turn it, and Daly Cherry-Evans kicked a field goal in the 70th minute to make it 19-12. Greg Marzhew scored in the 76th and Sandon Smith converted from the touchline, but the Knights could not find another. James Tedesco took the Clive Churchill Medal; it is the Roosters’ first premiership since 2019, and they completed the double when their women beat Brisbane 30-6. Full write-up.