Teddy Swims is your NRL Grand Final headliner

AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF speculation, Teddy Swims will be the headline entertainer at this year’s NRL Grand Final on October 5.

“Australia has always been a second home to me,” the Grammy-nominated artist said in a statement. “Every time I am there, I am overwhelmed by how welcoming the people are, I fall more in love with the culture, and just everything about it. So, to be welcomed to perform one of the biggest nights in Australia is a huge honour.”

The feeling’s mutual for NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, who cites it as a strategic move in the sport’s global growth. “Teddy’s global appeal and connection with young audiences in Australia, the US and around the world, matches our vision to grow Rugby League globally,” said Abdo. “Including a fresh superstar like Teddy Swims alongside some of the best male and female athletes in the world will take the entertainment experience for sports fans to a whole new level.”

First international performer in six years

Known for hit R’n’B singles ‘Bad Dreams’, ‘Guilty’, ‘The Door’ and ‘Lose Control’, enlisting the 32-year-old marks a genre shift for the sport’s biggest night, where the energy of rap and rock’n’roll has been the main drawcard.

Opting for an American performer, too, puts an end to the recent slate of home-grown talent NRL headliners. Recent Esquire Australia cover-star The Kid Laroi performed at the final last year, King Stingray in 2023, Kate Miller-Heidke and Amy Shark the year before that.

That said, the stage has called other international talent in the past: One Republic in 2019, Macklemore in 2017 and Keith Urban (Kiwi-born Australian-American performer, FYI) in 2016.

Swims will perform to a sold-out crowd of 80,000 at Accor Stadium in Sydney on October 5. The headline performance will also kick off his Australia and New Zealand tour accompanied by local artist Matt Corby.

Teddy Swims Australia tour dates

• October 14, 15 & 16 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney NSW
• October 18 & 19 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD
• October 22, 23 & 24 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
• Monday, October 27 – AEC Arena, Adelaide SA
• Wednesday, October 29 – RAC Arena, Perth WA

Snoop Dogg versus Teddy Swims?

The news also comes after it was announced that legendary rapper Snoop Dogg will headline the AFL Grand Final, held on September 27.

“It’s one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar. Can’t wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let’s make it unforgettable,” the 53-year-old rapper said in a statement. Snoop will be performing to a crowd of 100,000 at the MCG in Melbourne.

Not to pit them against each other, but having two major international acts perform within a week of each other will surely determine which is the biggest night in Australian sport.