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.

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

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.