2026 NRL Finals Series
NRL Finals
Week 1
Eight teams remain in the hunt for the 2026 NRL Premiership, with four huge finals across Friday, Saturday and Sunday to open the postseason.
Four games. Eight teams. The road to the Grand Final starts here.
The 2026 NRL Finals Series gets underway with four massive matches across Finals Week 1, as the top eight begin their push towards the NRL Grand Final.
Friday night sees South Sydney take on Newcastle in a sudden-death Elimination Final. Saturday begins across the Tasman with New Zealand Warriors hosting the Dolphins in a Qualifying Final, before Cronulla face North Queensland in another knockout contest later that evening.
Finals Week 1 concludes on Sunday afternoon when minor premiers Penrith take on the Sydney Roosters, with a direct path through to the Preliminary Final on the line.
Below you'll find the full 2026 NRL Finals Week 1 fixture, match information and the latest head-to-head, line and total points markets for all four games.
NRL Finals Week 1 at a glance
- - Qualifying Finals: the winners progress directly to the Preliminary Finals.
- - The Qualifying Final losers receive a second chance and play again in Week 2.
- - Elimination Finals: win and advance, lose and the season is over.
- - Two teams will be eliminated by the end of Finals Week 1.
Elimination Final
South Sydney VS Newcastle
FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER • 7:50PM AEST
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
Head to Head
Rabbitohs ($1.40)
vs Knights ($2.97)
Total Points
47.5 points ($1.90)
The 2026 NRL Finals Series opens on Friday night with a sudden-death clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights.
South Sydney enter as clear $1.40 favourites, with Newcastle at $2.97. The Rabbitohs are giving away a 7.5-point start, while the total match points line has been set at 47.5.
There is no second chance for either side, with the winner moving into Week 2 and the loser eliminated from the 2026 premiership race.
Rabbitohs vs Knights Tips →
Qualifying Final
NZ Warriors VS Dolphins
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER • 4:05PM AEST
New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins
Head to Head
Warriors ($1.54)
vs Dolphins ($2.47)
Total Points
47.5 points ($1.90)
Saturday's finals action begins with the New Zealand Warriors hosting the Dolphins in a Qualifying Final.
The Warriors are $1.54 favourites, with the Dolphins at $2.47. The market has the home side giving away 4.5 points, suggesting one of the more competitive contests of Finals Week 1.
The winner earns the week off and advances directly to a Preliminary Final. The loser remains alive but will return for a sudden-death Semi Final in Week 2.
Warriors vs Dolphins Tips →
Elimination Final
Cronulla Sharks VS North Queensland
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER • 7:50PM AEST
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys
Head to Head
Sharks ($1.44)
vs Cowboys ($2.81)
Total Points
47.5 points ($1.89)
Saturday night sees the Cronulla Sharks take on the North Queensland Cowboys in another sudden-death Elimination Final.
Cronulla are $1.44 favourites, with North Queensland at $2.81. The Sharks have been installed as 7.5-point favourites, while the total match points market is again set at 47.5.
The winner progresses to Week 2 of the finals, while the losing team's 2026 season comes to an end.
Sharks vs Cowboys Tips →
Qualifying Final
Penrith Panthers VS Sydney Roosters
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER • 4:05PM AEST
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters
Head to Head
Panthers ($1.28)
vs Roosters ($3.70)
Total Points
43.5 points ($1.90)
Finals Week 1 concludes on Sunday afternoon when the Penrith Panthers meet the Sydney Roosters.
Penrith are the shortest-priced favourite of the opening finals weekend at $1.28, with the Roosters at $3.70. The Panthers are 10.5-point favourites, while this match has the lowest total of the round at 43.5 points.
Victory sends the winner directly through to a Preliminary Final and provides a valuable week off. The loser remains alive but will be forced into a sudden-death Semi Final in Week 2.
Panthers vs Roosters Tips →
What Happens After NRL Finals Week 1?
The winners of the two Qualifying Finals will advance directly to the Preliminary Finals and earn a week off.
The losers of the Qualifying Finals will return in Week 2, where they will host the winners of the two Elimination Finals.
For South Sydney, Newcastle, Cronulla and North Queensland, there is no second chance — lose in Week 1 and the 2026 season is over.
2026 NRL Finals Week 1 Betting Tips
Before You Bet will provide full match previews and betting tips for all four games during NRL Finals Week 1.
We'll analyse the latest head-to-head odds, line betting, total points markets, team selections and key match-ups before providing our best bets for each game.
You can also visit our NRL Tips page for all of our latest NRL betting previews and Finals Series coverage.
