The NRL grand final at Accor Stadium will proceed without a headline pre‑game entertainment act after talks with Australian artist Tones and I reportedly collapsed, according to media reports. The decision follows a disagreement over whether the singer would perform her global hit "Dance Monkey".
Money redirected to junior rugby league
The Australian Rugby League Commission had been in negotiations with the artist, who is reported to be 33 years old. Rather than commissioning a headline performer, the NRL has said it will redirect the money that would have been paid to a star to grassroots programmes, announcing a pledge of $1 million for junior rugby league.
“Rather than giving a performer $90,000 a minute, we would prefer to give it to grassroots,” the commission’s chairman was reported as saying. “When you look at it realistically for 11 minutes, it’s not worth it.”
The chairman, reported to have reinforced the view that the sport itself is the chief entertainment, said the league believed fans would attend the match regardless of a pre‑game spectacle.
Broadcaster, viewership and precedent
Pre‑game entertainment has become a notable draw for casual viewers in recent years, and the absence of a headline act is a setback for the broadcaster contracted under a major rights agreement. Earlier this year the NRL reportedly struck a $5.3 billion broadcast deal, making spectacle and television audience figures increasingly important to stakeholders.
Sources cited in reports say negotiations with the artist faltered specifically over whether she would perform "Dance Monkey", a track that reached No. 1 in multiple countries. The NRL was said to have insisted the song be part of the set; the artist’s team would not commit to that demand.
Names of other acts linked in speculation around this year’s grand final have included Grammy‑winning English singer Olivia Dean, though scheduling meant plans did not materialise. In recent years the decider has featured a variety of headline performers: Teddy Swims in 2025, The Kid LAROI in 2024 and Jimmy Barnes in 2022.
What the change means
Organisers have framed the move as a reallocation of funds to the grassroots game rather than a cost‑cutting exercise. The chairman was reported as saying the money earmarked for an 11‑minute performance would deliver more value if invested in junior development.
- Pre‑game entertainment: No headline act confirmed for this year’s grand final.
- Funding shift: Reported pledge of $1 million to junior rugby league instead of paying a major performer.
- Negotiation snag: Dispute reportedly centred on whether the artist would perform her hit "Dance Monkey".
| Item | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Broadcast deal | $5.3 billion |
| Donation to junior rugby league | $1 million |
| Reported performer fee rationale | $90,000 per minute for an 11‑minute slot (as cited) |
Broadcast partners and commercial stakeholders will now balance programming and advertising plans without a major musical lead‑in. For viewers, the match day experience will remain focused on the on‑field spectacle rather than a headline entertainment slot.
This development also raises broader questions about how major sporting events allocate resources between spectacle and development pathways. The reported decision to prioritise junior funding will be watched by unions, clubs and community programmes who stand to benefit from increased investment.
As the grand final approaches, organisers have signalled confidence that the match itself — the contest for the premiership — remains the central attraction, while critics and broadcasters will likely assess any impact on television audiences after the final whistle.
