The NRL have confirmed the path to the grand final across both the NRL and NRLW competitions, with concerns about an unfair advantage for the deciding match of the season created for a second year in a row.
For the second year in a row, the men's competition will see its grand final qualifiers played across Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Typically, recent decades have seen the matches played on a Friday and Saturday; however, 2025 saw a break from that tradition after the minor premiers - then the Canberra Raiders - opened the finals on a Sunday.
The same thing has happened this year, with the Penrith Panthers playing their opening final on a Sunday, while the second-placed New Zealand Warriors played on Saturday afternoon, given that time zones stopped them from opening the finals.
With the Warriors losing their opening match, and the Sydney Roosters to host the other semi-final this weekend, it meant there was no feasible way for a Friday game in Week 2.
The Roosters and Sharks are instead playing this weekend on Saturday evening, with the winner of that game to clash with the Dolphins on Friday, September 25.
It could mean the Roosters, if they win, face two six-day turnarounds in a row leading into the preliminary final, although they would then have an extra 48 hours than their opposition for the grand final.
That second preliminary final will be played on Sunday afternoon at Accor Stadium between the Penrith Panthers and the winner of the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights semi-final that is played this Sunday at Eden Park.
The winner of that game will then face the shorter turnaround heading into the decider, although it didn't impact the Brisbane Broncos last year, who took out the grand final against the Melbourne Storm, who had won their preliminary final 48 hours earlier.
In the NRLW, the Sydney Roosters will host the first preliminary final against the lowest-ranked winner of this weekend's finals on Saturday, September 26, while the Gold Coast Titans will host the second preliminary final against the other Week 1 finals winner on Sunday, September 27.
NRL finals schedule
Week 2 (semi-finals)
Semi-final 1: Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks, Saturday, September 19, 7:50pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Semi-final 2: New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights, Sunday, September 20, 4:05pm (AEST) - 6:05pm (NZST) at Eden Park, Auckland
Week 3 (Preliminary finals)
Preliminary final 2: The Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters/Cronulla Sharks, Friday, September 26, 7:50pm (AEST), at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Preliminary final 1: Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors/Newcastle Knights, Sunday, September 28, 4:05pm (AEST), at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Week 4 (grand final)
Grand final: Penrith Panthers/New Zealand Warriors/Newcastle Knights vs The Dolphins/Sydney Roosters/Cronulla Sharks, Sunday, October 4, 7:30pm (AEDT), at Accor Stadium, Sydney
NRLW finals schedule
Week 1 (Elimination finals)
Elimination final 1: Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders, Friday, September 18, 7:50pm (AEST), at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown
Elimination final 2: Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights, Saturday, September 19, 4:05pm (AEST), at Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Week 2 (Preliminary finals)
Preliminary final 1: Sydney Roosters vs lowest-ranked Week 1 winner, Saturday, September 26, 7:50pm (AEST), at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Preliminary final 2: Brisbane Broncos vs Highest ranked Week 1 winner, Sunday, September 27, 1:05pm (AEST), at CBus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Week 3 (Grand Final)
Grand final: Winner preliminary final 1 vs Winner preliminary final 2, Sunday, October 4, 3:50pm (AEDT), at Accor Stadium, Sydney
