Scheduling Clash Pulls Tones And I From NRL Grand Final Entertainment Slot
Australian singer Tones And I will not perform at the NRL Grand Final pre-show after a scheduling conflict with a prior engagement alongside Macklemore in the United States. Her management said no contract was signed, and the league has decided not to book a replacement act. Instead, the roughly A$1 million entertainment budget will be redirected to support rugby league programs for underprivileged children.
The offer to Tones And I arrived through her management on September 5th, but her existing tour commitments with Macklemore in the United States made acceptance impossible. Her representatives emphasized that no written agreement was ever finalized, leaving the door open for the league to pivot without contractual complications.
The A$1 million entertainment budget will now be redirected toward youth rugby league programs, a move ARLC chair Peter V’landys said he had contemplated for several years. Past grand final performers include Tina Turner, Billy Idol, and Teddy Swims. Reports suggest the NRL had insisted on “Dance Monkey,” a song Tones has publicly expressed reluctance to perform, despite its record-breaking 24-week run atop Australian charts.
This decision could reshape how major sporting events allocate entertainment budgets, potentially inspiring other leagues to prioritize community funding over high-profile performances. Fans may lose a familiar pre-game spectacle, but the redirected A$1 million could meaningfully expand youth participation in rugby league. For artists, the episode may signal that sports bodies are less willing to accommodate scheduling conflicts or artistic preferences, possibly altering future negotiations. The broader impact hinges on whether this becomes a one-off or a lasting trend.