NRL

The NRL has once again spectacularly fumbled the grand final pre-game entertainment — and make no mistake, this is the worst one so far.

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This is a sport that just signed an approximately $5.3 billion broadcast deal and for their biggest showpiece they couldn’t even organise someone to perform for fans who, in a cost-of-living crisis, are paying through the nose to attend. The seven-year deal is the largest broadcast and media partnership in Australian sporting history.

The NRL today announced that, due to a breakdown in negotiations with superstar Australian act Tones and I, they decided not to go through with getting the ARIA Award winner to perform.

Peter V’landys has stated it was the singer’s reluctance to include her hit “Dance Monkey” on the set list that ultimately led to the NRL cancelling negotiations.

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Never mind the fact that a league as large as the NRL still trying to lock in grand final entertainment less than two weeks out from the event is nothing short of a total and incredible embarrassment.

In unsurprising fashion, the chief of the NRL has defended the decision by suggesting the money was always on the agenda to be redirected towards grassroots footy.

He went on to explain that the NRL will be putting the $1 million budget for entertainment towards helping kids who can’t afford to play rugby league, citing an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 children who could now play because of the investment.

If anything, V’landys has always been the perfect mix of politician and salesman, but anyone buying what he’s selling here is being lured into the smokescreen the NRL has very quickly put up as it hits damage control.

This is a league that just signed a $5.3 billion broadcast deal on top of all its other assets, investments and business revenue which, to be fair, has absolutely thrived under Peter V’landys’ administration. The NRL has also reported record crowds and viewership in 2026.

That’s also why the proclamation of what the NRL wanted to do with that money is so disingenuous.

A million dollars is spare change under the car seat for any organisation of this size, and if they genuinely wanted to give that money to grassroots, they not only could afford it but they’ve always had it with absolute ease.

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The fact is, it’s damage control to mask an incredible fumble where the NRL has once again completely missed the mark in organising a grand final day of entertainment for fans.

Broadcasters are reportedly furious — and rightly so — because nothing brings casual fans to television screens more than seeing an acclaimed music act or entertainer hit the stage on a grand final day.

Look at how the NFL manages the spectacle. It is the biggest entertainment event in the world on Super Bowl day and the football almost takes a back seat for many fans, as the event is seen worldwide and draws in viewers and interest globally.

But the NRL doesn’t even have to look that far to see what is possible, because the AFL has been doing exactly what the NRL should be aspiring to do with its own grand final.

Over the past four years, the AFL has had Robbie Williams, KISS, Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg headline its grand final entertainment, while this year it has secured one of Australia’s biggest international stars in Kylie Minogue.

That’s the difference between simply staging a grand final and treating it as a genuine national event and cornerstone of the Australian entertainment calendar.

The AFL has continued to attach some of the biggest names in music to its biggest day, understanding that the entertainment surrounding the game is part of what makes the grand final such a massive occasion, particularly for the casual audience that may not otherwise tune in for every minute of the football.

That makes the NRL’s situation even more difficult to understand given the league has spent so much time talking about how it has surged ahead of the AFL in television audiences and become Australia’s most popular sport.

The NRL can point to its record ratings, its enormous broadcast deal and the growth of its audience, including the league claiming its 2025 grand final reached a record 4.55 million viewers and that rugby league had effectively doubled its audience over the previous five years.

But while the NRL is talking about having the bigger audience, the bigger broadcast deal and the better game, the AFL is leaving it in the dust when it comes to making its grand final feel like a spectacle and amazing event to cap off a long season.

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Make no mistake, the NRL would be reeling from what has happened, but it’s also not the first time, the NRL has a track record of hits and misses when it comes to entertainment, though this is clearly the pinnacle.

Peter V’landy’s also defiantly stated that the game of rugby league is the entertainment and is so good nobody needs anything else on grand final day…..but everyone involved is certainly paying for everything else.

Nine has paid through the nose for the rights to a grand final day that is supposed to be just that — a day of entertainment and spectacle, holding exclusive coverage of the NRL Grand Final.

Likewise, fans aren’t seeing their ticket prices reduced just because the entertainment has. They will actually be paying as much as they ever have to attend, while also paying major stadium prices for food, drinks, parking and everything else that comes with going to a grand final.

The NRL’s response shows a complete disrespect for fans, who should not be hoodwinked by the smokescreen being thrown up. They had the money for grassroots before and, always have.

If the NRL were as smart as they think they are, they’d be calling any number of acts as fast as possible to get something happening.

Parkway Drive has featured heavily in Fox League promotions for years to much acclaim, rockers like Grinspoon have a strong connection with the game and there are several other examples of established Australian acts that would jump at the chance who fit the bill.

Most importantly, some would be available at short notice and all would charge far less than the NRL already budgeted, two things which are now driving factors in getting entertainment booked.

Even if the NRL wanted to try and target a younger audience, there are plenty of new, lesser-known bands that would appeal to some of the younger generation, but the point is there are options.

The option that is not there, though, is to have grand final day roll around with zero headline entertainment because a multi-billion-dollar game couldn’t organise it in the 12 months leading up to a date that never changes every year.

The NRL has the money, it has the audience and it has the biggest day on the rugby league, or arguably the Australian sporting calendar.

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