diff --git a/.changeset/fix-next-app-e2e-sidebar.md b/.changeset/fix-next-app-e2e-sidebar.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d5875b32e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/fix-next-app-e2e-sidebar.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/create-app': patch
+---
+
+Fixed the generated next app E2E test to verify the post-sign-in navigation, matching the current default app behavior.
diff --git a/packages/create-app/templates/next-app/packages/app/e2e-tests/app.test.ts b/packages/create-app/templates/next-app/packages/app/e2e-tests/app.test.ts
index 839ff883de..3347034856 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/templates/next-app/packages/app/e2e-tests/app.test.ts
+++ b/packages/create-app/templates/next-app/packages/app/e2e-tests/app.test.ts
@@ -23,5 +23,6 @@ test('App should render the welcome page', async ({ page }) => {
   await expect(enterButton).toBeVisible();
   await enterButton.click();
 
-  await expect(page.getByText('My Company Catalog')).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByRole('link', { name: 'Catalog' })).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByRole('link', { name: 'APIs' })).toBeVisible();
 });