The business end of the NRL season has officially arrived with the finals swinging into view.
Canberra capped an incredible campaign by securing the minor premiership and will now launch an assault at the premiership knowing they have two games in the nation's capital.
Melbourne claimed yet another top-two finish, with Craig Bellamy's side looking to avenge last year's loss in the grand final.
Canterbury are also assured of a double chance after finishing in third on the ladder, while Brisbane, Cronulla and New Zealand will scrap for the last place in the top-four during the final round of the regular season this weekend.
Meanwhile, Penrith loom large as the four-time reigning premiers, along with the Sydney Roosters, who are in prime position to secure the final spot in the top-eight ahead of Round 27.
MORE: How did the NRL finals pan out last season?
NRL Finals layout: How does the finals format work?
The current NRL finals system has been in place since first being introduced in 2012 as a replacement for the McIntyre system.
After 27 rounds are completed in the regular season, just eight teams are left and qualify for the finals, which takes place over one month.
The top four teams on the ladder earn the right for multiple shots at making it through to the grand final, while the bottom four teams within the eight face sudden death matches each and every week.
The minor premiers host the fourth-placed side in the first qualifying final, before 2nd and 3rd square off in the other qualifying final.
The winners of each of these fixtures earn the week off and advance straight through to preliminary finals on home soil, while the losers are forced to go the long way around via the semi finals.
Meanwhile, during the rest of the first week of finals, the fifth-placed club will have a home ground advantage during their clash with the 8th-placed team in the first of two elimination finals.
The 6th and 7th-placed sides will square off in the other sudden death match for the chance to advance through to the semis.
The two teams that lost their respective elimination finals are done for the year, while the two winners live to fight another day as they then venture to face the beaten clubs from the qualifying finals.
In the semi finals, four teams lock horns with the losers of each match being eliminated and the winners progressing through to the prelims to join the winners of the qualifing finals from week one.
The victors in each preliminary final then advance through to the decider where they have a shot at being crowned the premiers.
How many games are there in the NRL Finals?
The NRL season reaches its climax across a month-long elimination tournament that comprises nine games in total.
There are two qualifying finals, two elimination finals, two semi finals, two preliminary finals and a grand final.
NRL Finals schedule 2025
Finals week one
| Qualifying Final 1 (1st) Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos (4th) |
| Elimination Final 1 (5th vs. 8th) - TBC |
| Elimination Final 2 (6th vs. 7th) - TBC |
| Qualifying Final 2 (2nd) Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs (3rd) |
Semi Finals
| Semi Final 1 (Loser QF1 vs. Winner EF1) |
| Semi Final 2 (Loser QF2 vs. Winner EF2) |
Preliminary Finals
| Preliminary Final 1 (Winner QF1 vs. Winner SF2) |
| Preliminary Final 2 (Winner QF2 vs. Winner SF1) |
Grand Final
| Winner PF1 vs. Winner PF2 |
When is the NRL grand final 2025?
The decider will be played at Accor Stadium on Sunday, October 5.