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NRL Grand Final Entertainment: Who Will Perform in 2026?
The NRL will donate $1 million to junior rugby league after negotiations failed over Tones and I’s set list.
- On Tuesday, the NRL confirmed its Grand Final will proceed without a headline pre-game act after negotiations with Australian artist Tones And I collapsed over her setlist.
- Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Vlandys argued against paying $90,000 a minute for an artist, preferring to redirect the $1 million budget toward junior rugby league programs.
- Sources indicate negotiations fell through because Tones And I refused to commit to performing her 2019 hit 'Dance Monkey,' which the league deemed non-negotiable for the event.
- The reallocation aims to support 2,000 or 3,000 children facing financial barriers to playing rugby league, offering better long-term community outcomes than 11 minutes of entertainment.
- While the AFL recently secured Kylie Minogue for its grand final, the NRL is moving away from international pop-star performances, diverging from recent tradition with acts like Teddy Swims at the 2025 decider.
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Fallout with star leaves NRL with no pre-game entertainment for grand final
The absence of a major attraction for the NRL decider at Accor Stadium on Sunday week has left broadcaster Nine furious, according to sources at the network, with pre-game entertainment viewed as important in drawing casual viewers to the television spectacle.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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