Australian Rugby League Commission chairman and interim NRL CEO Peter V'Landys has taken yet another swipe at the AFL, suggesting the NRL grand final doesn't need a big name entertainer to be a better event.
V'Landys, who claimed on Channel Nine that the NRL are closing on an announcement, appeared to indicate it will be an Australian artist who won't break the bank this year.
The last two years have seen the NRL appeal to a younger demographic, with The Kid Laroi performing in 2024, and Teddy Swims in 2025.
The NRL are running late on this year's announcement, but it may well not be quite on the level of the AFL, who have already locked down Kylie Minogue for their decider.
“We are the most watched sport in Australia, we don't need international pop stars to come in,” he said on The Today Show from the NRL finals launch.
“Our entertainment is our game.
“We're still the most watched sport in Australia, we've got the top three most watched programs in Australia in State of Origin, and this finals series is going to break more records.
"We are [currently] negotiating. Nearly locked in.
“You won't get a more entertaining sport than rugby league. Other sports need these acts, we don't.”
V'Landys also confirmed Global Round has been scrapped for the start of 2027 ahead of the start of the NRL finals this weekend.
