NRL

The 2026 NRL and NRLW finals are underway.

But as always attention will briefly turn to off-field matters for the biggest awards night on the rugby league calendar.  

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On the eve of this year’s grand finals, the 2026 Dally M Medal will be awarded to the best men’s and women’s player.

James Tedesco is the reigning men’s champion after the Roosters  skipper stormed to his second Dally M Medal in 2025 while Broncos superstar Tamika Upton did the same in the NRLW to claim her second Dally M Medal.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 NRL Finals

When is the Dally M Medal ceremony?

The 2026 NRL Dally M Medal ceremony is set to take place on Wednesday, September 30 and will, as always, act as an appetiser for the NRL Grand Final weekend. 

With last year’s event beginning at 6:00 p.m. (AEST) fans can expect this year’s festivities to start at a similar time with the Dally M Medallist announced just after 9:30 p.m.

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Who will win the 2026 Dally M Medal?

When Dally M voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary lead the 2026 NRL Dally M Medal count with 38 points ahead of Warriors prop Jackson Ford (35) and Panthers teammate Dylan Edwards (32).

Ford has barely played since suffering a serious pectoral injury in Round 16, but despite a few hiccups in the second half of the season for the Panthers, Cleary remains the overwhelming favourite to win what will be his first Dally M Medal and the first by a Penrith player since Greg Alexander in 1985.

In the women’s Dally M voting, Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton is once again favoured in 2026 along with Sydney Roosters stars Tarryn Aiken and Isabelle Kelly.

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2026 Dally M Medal Leaderboard: Men’s Top 10 after Round 12