"We are scheduling big games that people want to watch on Sundays": NRL boss Dave Smith. Photo: Getty Images

Sunday afternoon NRL matches will be shown live on channel Nine next year in a huge win for football fans.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith confirmed the move that will ensure seven of the eight weekly fixtures will now be shown on Nine or Fox Sports.

To kick off proceedings, three blockbuster matches have been scheduled for Sunday afternoons, which will be confirmed when the NRL draw is released on Monday.

Penrith will take on Canterbury in a battle for the west in the opening round, while the traditional Rabbitohs-Roosters encounter is scheduled in round two. The defending premiers will again receive the prime Sunday spot when they take on Wests Tigers in round three.

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The agreement with the Nine Network will placate football fans, who have had to watch the telecast on an hour delay. Given the accessibility of live scores on social media, it was expected ratings would be on a downward spiral if there wasn't a change.

The game will still give Nine its traditional lead-in to the network's high-rating news coverage.

"There is nothing better than watching games live, and now it is going to become a prime-time reality on Sundays," Smith said.

"Channel Nine will show Sunday games live throughout the season so fans will see every minute of the game as it happens. It means NRL games will be shown live on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday in 2015."

All 26 Sunday matches will be shown live in Sydney, with 23 live matches in Brisbane once daylight saving ends.

The Rabbitohs, fresh from breaking their long premiership drought, are likely to provide a ratings bonanza for Nine after being scheduled for two of the opening three Sunday slots.

"In other words, fans will see some of the top teams of 2014, including the premiers South Sydney, in blockbuster matches to kick off the Sunday coverage," Smith said.

"We are scheduling big games that people want to watch on Sundays. So not only will we have a great offering on television, but there will be better games for fans at the ground on Sunday afternoons - when so many families are able to attend."   

Smith thanked channel Nine CEO David Gyngell and Fox Sports counterpart Patrick Delany for working with the NRL to make live Sunday football coverage a reality. Gyngell said the move was a direct response to the demands of clubs and fans.

"Everyone prefers to watch games live - we just had to make it happen," Gyngell said.

Nine's head of sport, Steve Crawley, added: "Our aim is to deliver the best possible sporting spectacle, and that means showing NRL matches live wherever possible.

"This is a great outcome for clubs, fans and players."

It is expected Manly will play Parramatta in the opening round when the governing body confirms the draw. The clash will pit Eels recruit Anthony Watmough against his old club in an early season blockbuster.

"I dare say, someone at the NRL saw a bit of pulling power in that," quipped Parramatta forward David Gower, himself a former Sea Eagle.

"It's always good to test yourself early against a top side to see where you are and where you need to improve."