Sydney Roosters win the 2026 NRL Grand Final by one point over Newcastle

SYDNEY, Australia, 5 October 2026 - The Sydney Roosters won the 2026 NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium on Sunday 4 October, beating the Newcastle Knights 19-18. SBS News reported that it is the club's 16th premiership and its first in seven years.

Newcastle led 12-0 shortly before half-time. Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries for the Roosters, one before the break and one with 20 minutes to play, according to SBS News.

Daly Cherry-Evans kicked a field goal with 10 minutes remaining to put the Roosters ahead 19-12. SBS News described it as the 32nd and final one-pointer of his career, and reported that the win makes him the oldest premiership winner in 104 years. Greg Marzhew's try for Newcastle with three minutes left, and its conversion, brought the Knights within a point, but they could not score again.

Roosters fullback and captain James Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal. Australian Associated Press reported that he ran for 385 metres, the most by a player in any NRL finals match, and made 14 tackle breaks. Tedesco won premierships with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019; this is his first as captain, AAP reported.