Panthers vs. Rabbitohs free-to-air channel, time, team list, free live stream to watch NRL Round 26 game

Jonathan Burnett

Panthers vs. Rabbitohs free-to-air channel, time, team list, free live stream to watch NRL Round 26 game image

Round 26 of the 2024 NRL season continues with a cross-Sydney derby that could have huge ramifications for the home side this weekend. Three-time defending Premiers the Penrith Panthers are at risk of dropping out of the top four with the finals series looming, as they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at BlueBet Stadium.

The Panthers sit fourth on the NRL ladder, just two points above Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs below them, having been overtaken by the Roosters and Sharks respectively in Round 25, while Souths are out of finals contention altogether ahead of their last match on the road in 2024.

The Sporting News is on hand to bring you all the latest TV schedule information, live streaming and start times for this Round 26 NRL match, as the Panthers look to consolidate a top-four spot against the side they beat in the 2021 Grand Final to kick off their historic Premiership three-peat.

How to watch Panthers vs. Rabbitohs: TV channel, free live stream

TV channel: Fox League
Free to air channel: Channel Nine
Live stream: Kayo, Foxtel, Nine Now

The match between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs will be broadcast live on Fox League, with free-to-air coverage also being shown via Channel Nine's wide world of sports.

Live streaming is available with Kayo Sports, who are showing this match, and every match across last two weeks of the regular season, both live in-game and on replay for fans to catch up.

New users to Kayo can currently sign up to a FREE trial.

Panthers vs. Rabbitohs NRL start time

This NRL Round 26 clash takes place at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith, Western Sydney and kicks off on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. local time (AEST).

Here's how that time translates to different Australian time zones:

 DateKickoff time
Australian Eastern Standard TimeFriday, August 308:00 p.m.
Australian Central Standard TimeFriday, August 307:30 p.m.
Australian Western Standard TimeFriday, August 306:00 p.m.

Panthers vs. Rabbitohs team list for NRL Round 26 match

Panthers team listRabbitohs team list

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To'o
6. Brad Schneider
7. Jarome Luai
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Luke Garner
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo

14. Trent Tokelau
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
17. Mavrik Geyer

18. Matt Eisenhuth
19. Daine Laurie
20. Casey McLean
21. Luron Patea
22. Luke Sommerton

1. Jye Gray
2. Tyrone Munro
3. Taane Milne
4. Fletcher Myers
5. Jacob Gagai
6. Jack Wighton
7. Cody Walker
8. Davvy Moale
9. Damien Cook
10. Sean Keppie
11. Keaon Kolomatangi
12. Tallis Duncan
13. Cameron Murray

14. Peter Mamouzelos
15. Jacob Host
16. Tom Burgess
17. Siliva Havili

18. Dean Hawkins
19. Liam Le Blanc
20. Brock Gray
21. Izaac Thompson
22. Richard Kennar

Panthers vs. Rabbitohs match preview 

While the Rabbitohs' season is all-but over – they can finish no higher than 13th on the ladder – Penrith have absolutely everything to play for as they look to complete an unprecedented fourth straight year of NRL Premiership title victories.

However, the Panthers' shock 22-18 loss at finals-chasing Canberra last time out leaves them fourth in the table and facing the prospect of a trip to runaway Minor Premiership winners Melbourne Storm in the first week of the finals, and another loss in the last two rounds of the regular season could see them drop out of the top four altogether with the Bulldogs at their heels.

The Rabbitohs' poor run of form continued in Round 25 too, suffering a 36-16 home defeat to the Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium. It doesn't get much easier for Souths either, with this trip to Western Sydney preceding a Round 27 clash against their arch-rivals the Roosters – who themselves sit second in the table and will be keen to rubber-stamp a home semifinal.

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Jonathan Burnett

Jonathan Burnett Photo

Jonathan is a freelance content producer and commentator for Sporting News UK, with a focus on international rugby tournaments like the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup. He also works as a commentator for StatsPerform’s football network, covering matches across Europe including the Champions League, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2023 Women's World Cup. He’s a regular contributor to the history and statistics website Rugby League Project.

Jonny graduated from Leeds University with a journalism degree in 2021 and was Head of Media at Widnes Vikings RLFC in 2023. A self-confessed nerd of rugby league, union and football (soccer). Jonathan’s coverage across several sports can be found on the TSN site.