How to watch NRL Premiership Finals Series 2025: rugby league live streams, TV guide, Grand Final – Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Lions
- Stream NRL Finals Series FREE on 9Now (Australia)
- Unblock any stream with NordVPN (save 70% today)
- Stream NRL Finals Series on FOX Soccer Plus via Fubo (US)
- NRL Grand Final: Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Lions
- 4.30am ET / 1.30am PT / 9.30am BST / 7.30pm AEDT
If you expected the 2025 NRL to be a Penrith Panthers procession to a fifth title in a row, you've been severely disappointed/delighted (delete according to team preferences) by a fascinatingly close regular season. Below we have all the information on how to watch NRL Finals Series from anywhere, with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and more.
So, seven months’ grit, hurt and determination all comes down to this – Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Grand Final 2025 to determine Australia’s best team in footy.
The Storm emerged 22-14 winners over Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks last weekend as tries from William Warbrick, Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates – plus Nicholas Meaney’s dead-eyed boot – helped secure a sixth decider in 10 years. In the other semi preliminary final last weekend, Brisbane Lions produced the mother of all comebacks when it mattered to beat Penrith Panthers, going for premier title number five in a row, 16-14. Adam Reynolds kept his nerve under pressure to kick the winning goal after Deine Mariner’s try and overturn a 14-point half-time deficit.
The Storm, who lost to the Panthers in the 2024 showpiece, will start as favorites and have 15 of their 17-man squad from 12 months ago determined for redemption. Reece Walsh for the Lions against the Storm’s brilliant Papenhuyzen will be a half-back contest for the ages. The teams have one win apiece against each other this season, after two games played in 19 days – the Storm won 22-2 in Round 23, then the Lions got revenge with a 30-17 win in Round 27, albeit Melbourne couldn’t count on Jack Howarth, Shawn Blore and Stefano Utoikamanu.
Read on below for a complete guide to where to watch NRL live streams online, on TV and potentially for free.
Watch NRL Finals Series for FREE
Great news, footy fans Down Under – all NRL Finals Series games are on free-to-air Channel 9 and 9Now in Australia.
To keep up to date with the games being broadcast and start times head to 9Now's sports schedule page.
What if you're abroad? Use NordVPN to watch your usual streaming service from anywhere.
How to watch any NRL Finals Series stream using a VPN
This handy piece of software 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 a 70% discount.
NordVPN – try it risk-free for 30 days
Looking to access a cable-cutting free trial to watch the NRL Finals Series from outside your country? If you're traveling abroad, use NordVPN to access these streams as if you were back home in the States. We test all the providers and we rate Nord as the best VPN. There's 24/7 support available, a money-back guarantee and, best of all, there's currently over 70% off in this deal.
How to watch NRL Finals Series live streams in the US
In the US, each of the NRL Finals Series games will be shown on FOX Soccer Plus.
If you don't get the channel with cable, FOX Soccer Plus is available via over-the-top streaming service Fubo, which starts at $94.99 per month after a 7-day FREE trial, though new users get $20 off their first month.
Alternatively, FOX Soccer Plus is available through the International Sports Plus add-on for the Pro ($64.99/month) and Elite ($84.99/month) plans.
If you're traveling outside of the US, you can make use of NordVPN to catch the action.
How to watch NRL Finals Series live streams in the UK
In the UK, every game of the NRL Finals Series is being shown on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month. Or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now (formerly Now TV). Now Sports memberships start at £14.99 for a day pass, or £34.99 monthly.
If you're a UK resident but traveling outside the country you can use a VPN to catch the action from abroad.
How to watch NRL Finals Series live streams in Australia
As alluded to earlier all games in the NRL Finals Series are on free-to-air Channel 9 in Australia, with live streaming available via 9Now.
Similarly, every game, as they have been all season, is also live on Foxtel. Kayo Sports offers a streaming option for Foxtel if you've cut the cord, 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 currently out of Australia but want to watch NRL live streams, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.
How to watch NRL Finals Series live streams in Canada
Rugby fans in Canada can watch every NRL Finals Series game on Sportsnet.
You can either watch Sportsnet on TV, or via the Sportsnet Plus streaming service, which starts at $24.99 per month or $199.99 per year.
Outside Canada during the 2025 NRL season? Simply use a VPN to watch from abroad.
NRL Finals Series next games and results
RESULTS
Friday, September 12th
Second qualifying final: Melbourne Storm 26-18 Canterbury Bulldogs
Saturday, September 13th
Second elimination final: Warriors 8-24 Penrith Panthers
First elimination final: Cronulla Sharks 20-10 Sydney Roosters
Sunday, September 14th
First qualifying final: Canberra Raiders 28-29 Brisbane Broncos
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, September 20
First semifinal: Canberra Raiders 12-32 Cronulla Sharks, 5.50am ET / 2.50am PT / 10.50am BST / 7.50pm AEST
Sunday, September 21
Second semifinal: Canterbury Bulldogs 26-46 Penrith Panthers
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Friday, September 26
First preliminary final: Melbourne 22-14 Cronulla
Saturday, September 27
Second preliminary final: Brisbane Broncos 16-14 Penrith Panthers
How do the NRL Finals Series work?
Week 1: Qualifying and Elimination Finals
The top eight teams from the ladder standings at the end of the regular season are split into two groups of four.
In the top four, 1st place hosts 4th place, and 2nd hosts 3rd in the Qualifying Finals. The winners advance straight to Week 3's preliminary finals, while the losers go to Week 2's semifinals.
In the bottom four, 5th hosts 8th, while 6th hosts 7th in the Elimination Finals. The winners go to Week 2's semifinals and the losers are out.
Week 2: Semifinals
The loser of the first Qualifying Final hosts the winner of the first Elimination Final in Semifinal. In semifinal two, it's the loser of the second Qualifying Final at home against host the winners of the second Elimination Finals. The losers of these matches go home.
Week 3: Preliminary Finals
The winner of the first Qualifying Final (from Week 1) hosts the winner of the second Semifinal. The winner of the second Qualifying Final (also from Week 1) hosts the winner of the first Semifinal.
Week 4: Grand Final
The winners of the respective Preliminary Finals meet in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 5th at Accor Stadium, Sydney.
Can I follow the NRL Finals Series on my mobile?
Of course! Each of the major broadcasters has streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key moments from the 2025 NRL season on the official social media channels on TikTok (@NRL), YouTube (@NRL) and Instagram (@NRL).
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.
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Andy Murray is an award-winning sports writer and columnist. A fluent Spanish speaker and former semi-professional footballer, he was senior staff writer of world-leading football magazine FourFourTwo for seven years and continues to write and edit for them, national newspapers, websites and Premier League clubs. He is not a famous tennis player.
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