NRL grand final loses headline act Tones and I for pre

Tones and I will not be performing at the 2026 NRL grand final. ( Getty Images: Don Arnold )

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The NRL says it is prepared to have no pre-match entertainment at its grand final this year after talks broke down with Australian artist Tones And I.

Instead the league is offering to increase funding to grassroots competitions with the money set aside for a pre-game performance.

Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'Landys told the ABC the money spent on pre-match entertainment could be put to better use.

"I'd prefer to see 20,000 underprivileged kids who can't afford to play rugby league play rugby league, rather than spend a million dollars on 11 minutes of a musical performance," he said.