After 27 rounds of action-packed footy, the finals are finally upon us.

It’s been a topsy-turvy NRL season, with none of last year’s top four returning whilst three teams from the bottom half of last year's eight secured a double chance a year later.

The 2026 NRL Finals series also marks a debut for the competition's youngest side, with the Dolphins booking a spot in the top four.

See the match-ups below.

SEN League is your home of sport for the finals series with all nine matches live across our radio network and on the SEN app.

Schedule

Second Elimination Final (6th vs 7th)

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights

• Date: 11th of September (Friday)
• Kick-off time: 7:50pm AEST (SEN’s broadcast begins at 6pm with the Bunnings Build-Up)
• Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Ramifications:

The winner of this match would play an away semi-final against the loser of the qualifying final between the Warriors and Dolphins.

The loser of this match would be eliminated from the finals series.

Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd)

New Zealand Warriors vs The Dolphins

• Date: 12th of September (Saturday)
• Kick-off time: 4:05pm AEST (6:05pm local time) – (SEN’s broadcast begins from 12pm with Crunch Time NRL)
• Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Ramifications:

The winner of this match would host a preliminary final against the winner of the semi-clash between Penrith/Sydney and Cronulla/North Queensland.

The loser of this match would host a semi-final against the winner of South Sydney vs Newcastle.

First Elimination Final (5th vs 8th)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys

• Date: 12th of September (Saturday)
• Kick-off time: 7:50pm AEST (SEN’s broadcast begins from 7pm)
• Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Ramifications:

The winner of this match would play an away semi-final against the loser of the qualifying final between Penrith and Sydney.

The loser of this match would be eliminated from the finals series.

First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th)

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters

• Date: 13th of September (Sunday)
• Kick-off time: 4:05pm AEST (SEN’s broadcast begins at 12pm with Crunch Time NRL)
• Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta

Ramifications:

The winner of this match would host a preliminary final against the winner of the semi-clash between Warriors/Dolphins and South Sydney/Newcastle.

The loser of this match would host a semi-final against the winner of Cronulla vs North Queensland.