How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026: FREE streams, TV channels for Panthers vs Roosters

Thomas Jenkins of the Panthers runs during the NRL 2026
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 as the Finals Series gets underway in the build-up to the Grand Final in October. The teams ranked first to fourth in the ladder (Panthers vs Roosters and Warriors vs Dolphins) meet to decide who advances straight to the Preliminary Finals, while fifth to eighth (Sharks vs Cowboys and Rabbitohs vs Knights) meet in the elimination matches – winners advance to next week's semi-finals, losers are out.

On Sunday, we close with minor premiers the Panthers facing the Roosters at CommBank Stadium. Penrith topped the ladder on the final day and welcome back skipper Isaah Yeo to the lineup. The Roosters went down 26-12 to the Dolphins last time out after challenging for the minor title, and lost star man Sam Walker to injury for the rest of the season.

Already played, the Knights' 20-10 victory over the Rabbitohs was down to two tries from Jermaine McEwan as last season's wooden spoon side continue to impress, but the Rabbitohs are out. The Knights will face ladder runners-up the New Zealand Warriors next weekend after they lost 26-16 at home to third-place Dolphins in the first Qualifying Final. The Dolphins have a week off next week after their thrilling victory.

The Sharks overcame four defeats in their previous five games to beat the eighth-ranked Cowboys 26-16 and advance to next weekend's semi-finals as Nicho Hynes proved the difference. There they'll face the losers of the Panthers vs Roosters.

Here's how to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 from anywhere in the world.

What are the NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 results?

Friday September 11
Rabbitohs 10-20 Knights (elimination final)

Saturday September 12
Warriors 16-26 Dolphins

Sharks 26-16 Cowboys

Sunday September 13
Panthers vs Roosters: 2.05am ET / 7.05am BST / 4.05pm AEST (qualifying final)

Can you watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 for free?

Yes. Every game in the NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 is being shown on free-to-air Channel 9 and 9Now in Australia.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the NRL Finals Series 2026 for free as if you were right at home.

Use a VPN to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

NordVPN – get the world's best VPNNordVPN is our #1 choice✅ Up to 75% off today✅ 3 extra months freeUnlocks 9Now
Exclusive deal

🟩 NordVPN – get the world's best VPN

Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.

TechRadar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice.

✅ Up to 75% off today
✅ 3 extra months free
✅ Unlocks 9Now

Get NordVPN and stream NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 from anywhere.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in the USA

US flag banner

NRL fans in the US can watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 on either FS2 or Fox One.

Dedicated streaming service Fox One costs $19.99/month after a 3-day FREE trial.

FS2 is also available through Sling, specifically the Blue plan with the Sports Extra add-on, which starts at $56.99/month.

The channel is carried by several other OTT streaming platforms too, including YouTube TV and Fubo, which each offer new customers a free trial.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in the UK

UK flag banner

(Image credit: Future)

NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 are being shown on Sky Sports in the UK, via the Sky Sports Action channel.

Sky Sports plans start from £35/month or £20 if you're an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a Now Sports subscription from £14.99/day or £34.99/month.

Outside the UK right now? Use NordVPN to access your preferred coverage of the NRL Finals 2026.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in Canada

canada

NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 coverage is going out on Sportsnet in Canada.

That means you can also watch online thanks to its Sportsnet+ streaming service (from $29.99 a month / $249.99 a year). And the Watch NRL platform will show the fixture.

If you already subscribe to these services but find yourself outside Canada, download a VPN and watch NRL Finals Series 2026 as if you were back at home.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in Australia

Australian flag

(Image credit: free)

In Australia, NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 is free-to-air on Channel 9 and via the 9Now streaming service.

All you need is an account. Sign up here!

You can also watch on Fox League via Foxtel. While Kayo Sports is a much more cost-efficient option, with plans starting from $30 a month after you've taken advantage of its first month for $1 offer or 7-day free trial.

If you're out of Australia but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in New Zealand

New Zealand flag

Sky Sport NZ is the NRL rights holder in New Zealand.

You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.

Overseas? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.

How to watch NRL Qualifying and Elimination Finals 2026 live streams in Rest of World

Every single match of the 2026 NRL Premiership season, including the Qualifying and Elimination Finals, will be shown on the dedicated Watch NRL streaming platform, which is available in all territories except for Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and other selected sanctioned jurisdictions (e.g. Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea).

Subscriptions cost $20 per week, $39 per month or $72 for the whole of the Finals Series. Check the website for pricing in your region.

Many countries also show games on TV and online through their domestic broadcasters:

What is the Panthers vs Roosters start time?

Sunday, September 13: 2.05am ET / 7.05am BST / 4.05pm AEST (qualifying final)

What are the Sharks vs Cowboys teams?

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Thomas Jenkins, 3. Luke Garner, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Isaiah Papali'i, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Replacements: 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Liam Henry, 17. Billy Phillips, 18. Blaize Talagi, 19. Billy Scott, 22. Jesse McLean

Roosters

1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Hugo Savala, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Salesi Foketi, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley

Replacements: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Nat Butcher, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Tommy Talau, 20. Egan Butcher, 22. Taylor Losalu

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Andy Murray
Freelance Writer and Editor

Andy Murray is an award-winning writer and columnist, voted the Consumer Journalist of the Year at the 2015 PPA New Talent Awards. A fluent Spanish speaker and former semi-professional footballer, he was senior staff writer of world-leading football magazine FourFourTwo from 2012 to 2019 and continues to write and edit for them, national newspapers, websites, the Olympic Games and Premier League clubs.

An avid music lover since an existential introduction to The Bends by Radiohead aged 10, he has been a Glastonbury regular for decades and always lends an ear to the latest tech. For the past three years, he has tested products, subedited reviews and delved deep into the minutiae of VPNs for TechRadar.

He is not a famous tennis player.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.