sport
Where to Watch the NRL Finals in Newcastle: Fan Zones and Local Pubs
The best spots across Newcastle to watch NRL finals football with fellow supporters, from community fan zones to classic local venues.
How we reported this
When the NRL finals series arrives each September and October, Newcastle comes alive with the particular energy of a rugby league city on the edge of something special. Whether the Knights are in the mix or supporters are cheering on a favoured team from elsewhere in the competition, the city has a range of excellent places to watch finals football with a crowd. Here is where locals gather when the stakes are highest.
McDonald Jones Stadium itself is the obvious destination when the Knights are hosting a finals fixture, and the atmosphere inside the ground during finals football is unlike anything else in the city's sporting calendar. Even for away finals, the club sometimes facilitates fan gatherings at or near the stadium, so keeping an eye on the Knights' official channels and social media in September is worthwhile.
The inner-city pub and club scene caters well to fans who want to watch finals in a convivial setting. Venues throughout the Newcastle CBD and surrounds set up for major NRL occasions, often with large screens, reserved areas for group bookings and a crowd that creates its own atmosphere. The Newcastle area also has a number of registered clubs with large function rooms and excellent screen setups, making them popular destinations for finals viewing parties.
Community leagues and junior rugby league clubs sometimes run finals screening events that are open to the public, particularly when the Knights are involved. These community screenings are free or low-cost, family-friendly and a lovely way to connect with the broader league culture that underpins the sport in the Hunter. Local council and club social media pages usually advertise these events in the week leading up to each game.
For those who prefer to watch at home, Fox League covers every finals game live and Channel 9 broadcasts selected matches free to air. Triple M Newcastle's radio call is a reliable companion for fans on the move. However you choose to watch, the shared experience of finals football in a rugby league town like Newcastle is something that brings the community together in a way few other events can.
Sources: Newcastle Knights NRL