Peter V'Landys said the NRL's Grand Final would feature a surprise entertainment act 11 minutes before kick-off, despite earlier uncertainty over the pre-match show.
Talks with Australian singer Tones and I had fallen through, and the NRL had said a week earlier that it was prepared to hold the 2026 Grand Final without entertainment.
V'Landys told AAP the mystery act would be revealed only on the night.
"Watch 11 minutes before kick-off, and there's going to be a big surprise... and you'll be entertained," V'Landys told AAP.
"I've got to tell you, it'll be the highest-rated 11 minutes you will ever see because no one knows what it is, and we won't tell until the night," he added.
"And a lot of people will be surprised."
The NRL had proposed directing the $1 million earmarked for entertainment towards grassroots rugby league.
"My prime aim was to give $1 million to kids that can't play the game," he said
"Underprivileged kids that can't buy boots, that can't get registered, that can't get insurance. All their mates are playing and they can't."
The prospect of no entertainment drew criticism, particularly after Kylie Minogue headlined the AFL Grand Final.