NRL is the most popular rugby league competition in the world and the 24th edition is now heading into the final game. There are multiple options when it comes to watching matches live in Australia, including a big chunk of League games on free to air including the Grand Final. Find out how to watch them as well as every other game across the NRL Premiership season here.
NRL 2021 preview
The 2021 NRL Premiership has boiled down to two teams. The Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs have a chance to write their names in the history books at the Suncorp Stadium on October 3rd, and it’s a very difficult game to call.
These two sides faced each other in Finals Week 1, when South Sydney Rabbitohs won 16-10. This gave the Panthers a longer route to the Final, but their impressive wins over the Parramatta Eels (Semi Final) and Melbourne Storm (Preliminary Final) proved they definitely have what it takes to go all the way.
Wayne Bennet’s Rabbitohs are also in super sharp form after thrashing Manly Sea Eagles in their Preliminary Final (36-16). They go into the game as very slight favourites, but will need to be firing on all cylinders against a Panthers side who seem to have found form at the right time.
NRL live TV fixtures (Sydney time)
Check out the latest fixtures to see who is playing in the NRL game tonight on TV, as well as kick-off times and the providers who will show all the live coverage. This NRL TV guide includes games available on free to air, as well as Fox Sports.
| Date | Event | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, October 3rd | Rabbitohs vs Panthers | LIVE: 7.30pm | Nine |
| Sun, October 3rd | Rabbitohs vs Panthers | Replay: 10.00pm | Foxtel / Kayo |
What channel is NRL on?
Nine’s is currently the official NRL free to air broadcast provider in Australia with their contract running until 2022. This allows the broadcaster to show three live matches per round as well as the Finals Series and the Grand Final, for which they have exclusive live rights.
If you want to watch every match from every round of the NRL regular season including the Final Series (Grand Final replays only), then Fox Footy is the best option to stream NRL free. Fox Footy coverage is available to watch in Australia via Foxtel and Kayo Sports, which both offer free trials to watch NRL.
Channel 9 NRL
Nine coverage includes the biggest and most anticipated games from each round with expert analysis before kick-off and after the final whistle. Nine also has the rights to one Saturday night game during the final five rounds of the regular season in the lead up to the Finals Series.
Before the final five rounds, Nine will show games on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Matches on Nine are also broadcast at the same time on Fox Sports via the Fox League channel.
9Now NRL Streaming
All the games that go out on Channel Nine are available for live streaming with 9Now, the Network’s online streaming platform. The means that you can watch up to four games a week on a compatible streaming device. If you want to start streaming every game from every round, however, you will need to consider a Foxtel or Kayo subscription.
State Of Origin on Nine
Nine also has the exclusive live rights to all three State Of Origin games between New South Wales and Queensland. This is easily one of the biggest rivalries in Rugby League, with nothing else but bad blood fuelling the inter-state contest every year. It draws in incredible viewing figures both at home and around the world, and is must-see TV for fans of the 13 man game.
Channel 9 commentary team
The Nine commentary team is headed by the likes of Ray Warren, Mathew Thompson and Peter Psalitis. Co-commentary duties are shared by Phil Gould, Walley Lewis, Paul Vautin and Andrew Johns. There are also some big names in the studio offering their analysis in the shape of three greats of the came. Jonathan Thurston and Billy Slater will be joined by NRL legend Cameron Smith in 2021.
Rugby League shows on Nine
Once the big game is over, League fans want the lowdown and some expert opinion post-match. These shows on Nine do just that, giving NRL fans a professional insight into how every player and coach is performing as well as all the latest gossip.
The Sunday Footy Show
Join hosts Peter Sterling, Erin Molan and Brad Fittler, with regular special guests to discuss all things NRL. This show has had an impressive stint after first airing all the way back in 1992. The two-hour show covers everything from interviews to game previews every Sunday from 11.00am
100% Footy
100% Footy is an NRL talk show that only deals with the hottest topics in the 13 man game. Hosted by James Bracey, it airs on the Nine Network’s late-night timeslot on Monday evenings. The show features a round-up of the week’s League matches, including highlights from the weekend’s games.
2021 NRL Ladder
Here are the final standings for the 2021 NRL Premiership. Melbourne Storm ended the season on top, with the Panthers and Rabbitohs not too far behind. The Panther and Rabbitohs will now play the NRL Grand Final on October 3rd.
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storm | 44 |
| 2 | Panthers | 44 |
| 3 | Rabbitohs | 42 |
| 4 | Sea Eagles | 34 |
| 5 | Roosters | 34 |
| 6 | Eels | 32 |
| 7 | Knights | 26 |
| 8 | Titans | 22 |
| 9 | Sharks | 22 |
| 10 | Raiders | 22 |
| 11 | Dragons | 18 |
| 12 | Warriors | 18 |
| 13 | Tigers | 18 |
| 14 | Broncos | 16 |
| 15 | Cowboys | 16 |
| 16 | Bulldogs | 8 |
Channel 9 vs Fox League
The NRL Premiership is shared across Channel Nine and Fox League in Australia. Here you can compare games and see which providers they will be shown on.
| Game | Channel |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Nine / Foxtel / Kayo |
| Friday Evening | Foxtel / Kayo |
| Friday Night | Nine / Foxtel / Kayo |
| Saturday Afternoon | Foxtel / Kayo |
| Saturday Evening | Foxtel / Kayo |
| Saturday Night | Foxtel / Kayo |
| Sunday Game 1 | Nine / Foxtel / Kayo |
| Sunday Game 2 | Foxtel / Kayo |
Watch NRL Premiership with Foxtel and Kayo
If you would like to watch every match from every round, including games that are broadcast on Nine and 9Now, then Fox League is the number one place to watch NRL live. Fox League is available with both Foxtel and Kayo subscriptions.
Foxtel and Kayo also own the complete rights to all regular season and Finals Series games in Australia. This includes Super Saturday, a day when no fixtures go out on free to air until the final five rounds. Telstra customers can also take advantage of Foxtel and Kayo offers with eligible mobile or broadband plans.
Stream NRL Premiership with Kayo Sports
You can watch League online free with a Kayo Sports 14 day free trial offer. With this trial, you will have access to the same broadcasts as Fox Footy (Fox Sports) and Nine, meaning every head to head from every round (excluding the Grand Final). Kayo Sports doesn’t come with a lock-in contract or set up fee, which means you can cancel anytime if you’re no longer using it.
For fans who want to catch up on the action after the final whistle, Kayo Minis provide a 10-20-minute recap after the game is over. Other Kayo NRL features include Interactive Graphics, SplitView, No Spoilers and Key Moments, which provide highlights throughout the matches in real-time.
Stream Rugby League w/ Kayo Sports FREE trial
Watch every game from every round of the NRL season, as well as NRL Nines, Super League and more – with a Kayo Sports 14 day Free trial.
Watch NRL with Foxtel
Fox League can be accessed via Foxtel and Foxtel Now. To watch on Foxtel with a Standard or High Definition TV, you have several choices, including subscribing to the Foxtel Plus pack to access over 50 channels of entertainment, drama, lifestyle, docos, reality and more.
You can also watch NRL live and free with Foxtel Now. Their 10 day free trial offer includes the option to stream games using the Foxtel Go app. Fox Footy comes as part of the Foxtel Now Sports Pack ($29 per month) which can only be purchased on top of an Essentials Pack ($25 per month) after your free trial.
Stream TV Shows, Movies and Sports – Live and On Demand
Watch sport and entertainment with a Foxtel Now’s 10 day free trial. Access TV entertainment for only $25 /month, or add sport for a further $29/month after your trial is over!
Watch NRL live stream with Telstra
Telstra customers can get great deals for watching both Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now. With the Telstra Kayo Offer, you can get a $10 per month reduction on Basic ($15/month) and Premium ($25/month) plans. The Foxtel Now Telstra offer gives you the first month for free (including Fox Sports), meaning you will only need to pay for the sports pack on top. Both of these options come as part of a 12-month contract and include every game from every round of the Toyota Premiership live and on demand.
Streaming devices for NRL
Looking for a great way to stream NRL at home or on the move? These sports streaming devices are perfect for just that, allowing you to stream all the action in High definition.
Devices supported on Foxtel/Foxtel Go
– PC/Mac: Yes – Web browser only (Chrome for PC; Chrome & Safari for Mac)
– iOS Mobile Devices: Yes – Via native app (iOS 9.3.5 or above)
– Android Mobile Devices: Yes – Via native app (Android 5 and above)
– Google Chromecast: Yes – Via casting (only on Multiroom service)
– Google Nest: Yes – Via compatible Chromecast device connected or built-in to your TV
– Apple TV: Yes – Via AirPlay (only on Multiroom service)
– Smart TVs: Yes – Via casting only (only on Multiroom service)
Devices supported on Kayo
– PC/Mac: Yes – MacOS 10.12+ (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) & Windows 10 (Chrome, Firefox, Edge); web browser only
– iOS/Android Phones/Tablets: Yes – Via native apps (iOS 11+ and Android 6+)
– Google Chromecast: Yes – Chromecast Ultra, 3rd Generation
– Apple TV: Yes – tvOS 11+, 4th Generation or higher. Casting available to previous models
– Telstra TV: Yes – SplitView not available; Telstra TV1 limited to 720p.
– Android TV: Yes – Via
– Samsung Smart TVs: Yes – 2017 and later models. SplitView not available
– Hisense Smart TV: Select 2019 – 2021 models
– Gaming Consoles: Yes – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
