Everything you need to know about finals: Bunnies and Panthers square off

The NRL finals in 2021 are breaking new ground with all matches to be played in Queensland for the first time and Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium hosting the grand final.

• Everything you need to know about the grand final

The Rabbitohs beat Manly in the first preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium to book their spot in the decider.

The Panthers then avenged last year's grand final loss with a 10-6 win over the Storm in an epic preliminary final.

The Panthers and Rabbitohs will meet for the first time in a grand final.

Brisbane will be the location for the premiership decider on Sunday, October 3. Suncorp also hosted the preliminary finals with Mackay the venue for the semi-finals in week two. 

The playoffs kicked off with matches at Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Rockhampton.

Don't blink. Or you'll miss the moment that will define the finals.

Wondering about how the play-offs will work, who's playing who, ticketing options or the many ways you can tune in?

Read on for all the information you'll need to stay across every detail as the race for this year's title heats up. The NRL Premiership celebrates 20 years of naming rights partnership with Telstra in 2021.

Reduced capacity for grand final

• The NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final will be played in front of a capped crowd of 39,000 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night after Queensland Public Health Orders reduced capacity to 75%
• The NRL & Ticketek will automatically refund tickets to the final 25% of fans who purchased seats in each Grand Final selling allocation and will be contacted as soon as possible
• The NRL understand that these changes to the schedule will impact many but hope the community will understand that the decision is out of our hands
• All patrons who do attend will also be required to wear a mask at all times, including when seated
• For anyone wishing to request a refund, please submit a request here

Preliminary finals partner activations

NRL Partners will be offering fun for the entire family with from face painting to KFC feasts. Get to the game early and check out all the activations.

Ampol Mini Petrol Station

• Get your photo with the Ampol State of Origin Shield
• Pass the ball comp & face painting

CUB Precinct Bar

• Double decker bar in precinct. Enjoy some of your favourite brews before the game.

VB Deck

• On Saturday, fans who purchase a beer from the CUB Precinct Bar will be in the chance to get an upgrade to the VB Deck ( Image attached)

Kentucky Fried Chicken Run

• 2 lucky fans will be plucked from the crowd to participate in the Kentucky Friend Chicken Run during half-time of each preliminary finals match.
  Fans will race for their chance to win up to $500 in Kentucky Fried Chicken.

KFC Surprise & Delight

• Get to the game early, with KFC giving away $2500 in Kentucky Fried GOLD to a lucky fan in the stand prior to kick-off.

Finals week 1 schedule

Friday, September 10

Qualifying final: Melbourne v Manly, 7.50pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium

Saturday, September 11

Elimination final: Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast, 5.40pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Qualifying final: Penrith v South Sydney, 7.50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Sunday, September 12

Elimination final: Parramatta v Newcastle, 4.05pm at Browne Park, Rockhampton.

Week two finals fixtures

Semi-final 1 - Friday, September 17: Manly v Roosters, 7.50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Semi-final 2 - Saturday, September 18: Penrith v Parramatta, 7.50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Week three finals fixtures

Preliminary final 1 - Friday, September 24: South Sydney v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Preliminary final 2 - Saturday, September 25: Melbourne v Penrith Panthers, 4.00pm at Suncorp Stadium

Grand final

Sunday October 3: Panthers v Rabbitohs, 7.30pm at Suncorp Stadium