NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final celebrationsCredit: NRL Imagery
Grand Final team captains with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin and Premiership trophies
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A full week of celebration has begun ahead of the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day next Sunday (October 2) at Accor Stadium.
The Grand Final teams were confirmed this weekend with Penrith Panthers taking on Parramatta Eels in the men’s decider, while Newcastle Knights will play Parramatta Eels in the NRLW Grand Final. Penrith Panthers will play Norths Devils in the NRL State Championship.
The NRL has announced a week of activity highlighted by a three-day (Wednesday to Friday) Fan Fest crammed full of colour at Sydney’s Martin Place.
“Grand Final Week is a celebration of the season, with the two remaining Clubs in each of the NRL and NRLW Telstra Premierships competing to create a piece of history,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said. “We have the best sports competitions in the world and tribal clubs, brilliant athletes, loyal partners and passionate fans of rugby league will all converge in Sydney to celebrate this.”
NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said it was fantastic to have the NRL Grand Final back in the nation’s birthplace of rugby league and its spiritual home.
“The NRL competition has its strongest supporter base in Sydney and the week-long celebration leading up to the big game is a very exciting time for the city. The NRL Grand Final also makes a vital contribution to the NSW visitor economy with rugby league fans from across the country flocking to Sydney to be part of the game’s showpiece event. I wish both teams the best of luck and can’t wait to see all the colour of 83,000 fans at a packed Accor Stadium again this Sunday.”
Grand Final Week will be officially launched on Monday evening on the shores of Sydney Harbour with representatives of the men’s and women’s Grand Finals, as well as fans.
The NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams will be presented to Fan Fest on Thursday, September 29, while the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership teams will appear at Fan Fest on Friday, September 30.
More than $50,000 in prizes will be given away across the three days at Grand Final Fan Fest, which will be free for fans of all ages, while stars from all Clubs will make appearances. Additional exciting experiences will include a Youi virtual kick, a vertical jump test, a Telstra Tracker LED interactive race, merchandise and face painting, live music from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Indigenous cultural performances.
The week will also include the 2022 Dally M Awards, at Winx Stand, Royal Randwick Racecourse, on Wednesday, September 28.
It will be the biggest ever Dally M Awards - with a fully integrated NRL and NRLW presence throughout the awards for the first time ever.
NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final celebrations Credit: NRL Imagery
Grand Final team captains with trophies
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NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final celebrations Credit: NRL Imagery
Grand Final team captains with trophies
In another first, the NRL and Touch Football Australia will be on show at one of Australia's most iconic locations - Bondi Beach – on Saturday, October 1. There will be Beach Touch Footy matches, League Stars clinics, pumping music and a fun festival atmosphere on the famous sands.
For the second time, the NRL’s major partner Telstra will award grants to junior clubs following the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final. In 2022, the commitment will extend to the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership Grand Final winners and runners up.
Overall, Telstra will award more than $200,000 to junior rugby league clubs - $5,000 to the Junior Club of each player in the Grand Final winning teams, and an additional grant of $20,000 awarded to the Junior Club Association of the runner up teams.
The Telstra Junior Club Grants will be awarded during the special post-match presentations on Sunday night.
The final allocation of tickets for the Grand Final will go on sale tomorrow (Monday, September 26). The competing clubs’ Ticketed Members will have access to tickets from 10am tomorrow, while competing clubs’ non-ticketed members can purchase tickets from 1pm tomorrow. NRL account holder can access tickets from 4pm tomorrow.
The final allocation of General Public tickets will be available at 10am on Tuesday (September 27) via nrl.com/tickets.
Further details about media opportunities across the week will be issued subsequently.
More News
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
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Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
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The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
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Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.