CASEY BARNES ENTERS POWERFUL NEW ERA WITH ANTHEMIC SINGLE “MADE FOR THIS” — OFFICIAL THEME SONG FOR NINE’S BROADCAST OF THE NRL FOR 2026 SEASON
ARIA, APRA & Golden Guitar Award-winning country artist Casey Barnes launches a bold new chapter with the release of his powerful country-rock anthem “Made For This ”, out today.The release coincides with the announcement that ‘Made For This’ has been selected as the theme song for Nine’s broadcast of the 2026 NRL season. The track will be used on all Thursday, Friday & Sunday matches across the entire 30 week season, on Nine and their affiliated stations and 9Now. Built on grit, resilience, and unshakeable belief, “Made For This” is a stadium-ready statement. A defiant anthem about coming back stronger, thriving under pressure, and proving yourself when the world says you can’t. Driven by soaring guitars, pounding drums, and an unstoppable chorus, the track captures the hunger and determination of an artist stepping fully into his moment.
“ This song is about backing yourself when everything’s on the line,” says Barnes.“It’s about coming back from adversity, not being afraid of the challenge,and using it as fuel.”
Co-written in Nashville with Andy Skib, Jimmy Thow, Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis, “Made For This” represents a sonic and personal evolution for Barnes, fusing modern country-rock power with raw, lived-in conviction.The release also marks a brand-new chapter for Barnes, with the acclaimed artist recently signing to Community Music (part of Unified Music Group) and announcing new management with respected music manager Dan Biddle, a strategic move that sets the foundation for the next phase of his career.“Made For This” serves as a statement of a new album era, with Barnes confirming a brand-new studio album is slated for mid-2026. The release falls as Casey is preparing to rock the main stage at the iconic CMC Rocks QLD festival in Ipswich, QLD in March, followed by more festivals and a national headline tour to support the album release.With multiple Golden Guitars, an ARIA Award, major festival headlines, and a reputation for delivering electrifying live performances, Casey Barnes continues to redefine what modern Australian country music can be, now stepping onto an even bigger national and global stage.