Multiple ARIA and Grammy Award winner Keith Urban will be the headline performer at the 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final pre-game show at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, October 2.
The chart-topping ARIA and Grammy Award winner, whose current album RIPCORD, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Album chart and spent 15 weeks in the Top 10 will bring home the pre-game show following a performance by multiple Grammy Award-winner Richie Sambora, a founding member of Bon Jovi, who will be joined by Australia's own guitar goddess Orianthi, introducing their new rock powerhouse outfit RSO.
Urban's RIPCORD remains in the Top 20 after 18 weeks and features the Top 5 iTunes song 'The Fighter', which has been added to Top 40 radio playlists around Australia. The appearance will mark the end of a whirlwind promotional tour in advance of his December arrival for his "Australian ripCORD World Tour 2016."
Adelaide-born Orianthi has performed with the likes of Santana, Aerosmith's Steve Tyler, Michael Jackson and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart.
"These are three of the greatest musicians and guitarists currently touring the world and to have them on the same set will be nothing short of spectacular," NRL Head of Commercial Andrew Abdo said.
"This will be a fantastic show involving an extensive pyrotechnics and lighting display coupled with a tribute to some of the best Grand Final moments as part of our #historyhappens theme.
"This will set the scene fittingly for the most important match of the season.
"In addition to the performance we will also be honouring the 2016 retiring players, including current finalists Corey Parker and Michael Ennis."
The 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final is supported by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Fans are reminded that tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, on October 2, are also on sale at www.nrl.com/tickets.