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How to watch the National Rugby League Final: Who's competing, how to watch from the U.S. with a VPN and more

liz kocan
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers makes a break during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The Penrith Panthers will play the Melbourne Storm in the NRL final this Sunday. (Matt King/Getty Images)

The National Rugby League season in Australia and New Zealand is coming to a close this weekend, with the men's and women's finals held on Sunday. Oct. 6. The men's final match will be between returning champs the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm, while the women's match will be between the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Both matches will be available to watch for free on Channel Nine in Australia, but if you live in the U.S or anywhere else in the world, you'll still be able to watch the National Rugby League finals with the help of a VPN. Here's how you can catch all the rugby action this weekend for free.

Date: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024

Time: 4:30 a.m. ET

Location: Sydney, Australia

TV channel: Channel 9, Australia

Streaming: WatchNRL.com or 9Now via VPN

The National Rugby League final will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 4:30 a.m. ET at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league with clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand. This year's men's final will feature the Melbourne Storm competing against last year's champions, the Penrith Panthers.

The National Rugby League final between the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm will broadcast live throughout Australia for free on Channel Nine (streamable via 9Now.com). If you're outside Australia, don't fret, because you can still catch the match with the help of a VPN.

Live outside Australia but still want to watch the National Rugby League final? For serious rugby fans, you can sign up for a subscription to watch NRL games, including this weekend's final, on WatchNRL.com, a streaming platform that broadcasts major rugby matches live to international fans across the world. The only real problem there is the price, which starts at $46AUS (or $31 USD) to watch this Sunday's final. (A 12-month subscription makes a little more sense at $229AUS or $158USD for every game throughout the year). For a more economical option, the solution is simple: You can tune into the match for free on 9Now.com with the help of a VPN.

A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to the rugby final this weekend, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.

(ExpressVPN)

Stream the National Rugby League final

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers “internet without borders,” meaning you can tune into Australian coverage of this weekend's rugby final without taking a 24-hour flight to another hemisphere. All you'll need to do is sign up for ExpressVPN, change your server location to one in Australia, and then find the free Channel Nine broadcast.

ExpressVPN’s added protection, speed and range of location options make it an excellent choice for first-time VPN users looking to stretch their streaming abilities, plus, it's Engadget's top pick for the best streaming VPN. New users can save 49% when they sign up for ExpressVPN’s 12-month subscription. Plus, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you're nervous about trying a VPN.

$6.67/month at ExpressVPN

The NRL women's final between the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will be held on the same day at the men's final, Sunday, Oct. 6, at 12:55 a.m. ET. It will also be broadcast on Australia's Channel Nine and can be accessed with the help of a VPN.