Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
‘What an absolute disappointment’: NRL left without Grand Final performance
Sport Nation • September 23rd, 2026 3:00 pm
Teddy Swims performs as fireworks go off ahead of the 2025 NRL Grand Final | Photo: Mark Evans/Photosport
The NRL has scrapped plans for a headline act at the 2026 Grand Final after talks with Australian pop star Tones and I reportedly fell through.
The singer had been in discussions to perform in Sydney on October 4, but negotiations collapsed after she reportedly declined to guarantee she would sing her global hit “Dance Monkey.”
Olivia Dean, Post Malone and Noah Kahan were also believed to be among the acts considered for the show, with the occasion previously featuring performances from artists including Tina Turner, Kelly Clarkson, Macklemore and Cold Chisel.
Macklemore performed at the 2017 NRL Grand Final | Photo: Paul Seiser/Photosport
Sport Nation host Israel Dagg, who will attend his first Grand Final, said fans would be disappointed by the decision.
“You're talking about this act, that’s gonna just blow it up and make it a party for the ages and then all of a sudden it's an absolute flop and there's no one.
“This is about the people that have paid good money, that have hoped that the Warriors were going to be there to go and listen and have a bit of a party.”
Dagg said the NRL should consider the wider role entertainment can play in attracting fans to matches.
“You can't just focus on on-ground entertainment. We've got to think about the bigger picture here and we want to encourage and entice people to come to these stadiums and fill them out.”
The Australian Rugby League Commission chairman, Peter V’landys, chose not to book a replacement act last-minute, saying the money would be better spent on grassroots rugby league.
“Rather than giving a performer $90,000 (AUD) a minute, we would prefer to give it to grassroots,” he said on Tuesday.
NRL boss Peter V'landys says the players aren't being truthful about a key aspect of the game | Photo: Robbie Stephenson/AAP
V’landys, with guidance from New South Wales Rugby League, will direct the unused funds towards junior competitions and state leagues.
“We believe that the entertainment is our game. It’s more the media that put themselves into a frenzy who we get as performer.
“But when you look at it realistically for 11 minutes, it’s not worth it. People will come to the game with or without it. We believe the money is better spent on junior rugby league.”
The decision comes as Kylie Minogue is set to headline the pre-game entertainment at the 2026 AFL Grand Final on Saturday.
Listen to the full segment below:
