Excitement is building at ANZ Stadium on Sunday ahead of the NRL grand final between North Queensland and Brisbane.

The first all-Queensland grand final is scheduled to kick-off at 7.15pm (AEDT).

A capacity crowd of more than 82,000 fans is expected for the deciding game of the NRL season.

The temperature at Homebush Bay reached 34.5 degrees earlier in the day (2.32pm AEDT), with the match to be played with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees.

The Olympic Park area is a hive of pre-game activity. More than 25,000 interstate visitors have travelled to be at the interstate venue, according to NRL boss Dave Smith.

Penrith claimed the first title of the afternoon, with a 34-18 victory over Manly in the under-20 National Youth Competition.

Queensland Cup champions Ipswich defeated NSW Cups winners Newcastle 26-12 in the main curtain raiser ‘Superbowl’ state championship.

Captain Johnathan Thurston will seek to lead the Cowboys to their first premiership against Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who has never lost a grand final in seven attempts.