NRL 2026 Season: Key Dates, Fixtures & Magic Round

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Mon 02 Mar 2026 14:43

Jeremy Darke 02 Mar 2026

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NRL 2026 kicks off with a Las Vegas double-header.
Magic Round expands to four days in Brisbane.
Grand final scheduled at Accor Stadium, Sydney on Oct 4.

NRL 2026 Key Dates (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

NRL 2026 Season Overview

The 2026 NRL season is shaping up as one of the most ambitious in the competition’s history, with an expanded international footprint, blockbuster early-season matchups, and a four-day Magic Round festival in Brisbane. With key dates now confirmed, fans can begin circling the most anticipated moments on the rugby league calendar.

If you missed it, the League of Inches lads gave their Pre-Season Futures Bets with some big calls that may turn out to be valuable later down the line.

Las Vegas Double-Header: NRL 2026 Season Opener

The NRL returns to Las Vegas for the second time, launching the 2026 season with two high-profile clashes at Allegiant Stadium.

Las Vegas Double-Header – Saturday 28 February 2026 (Sunday 1 March AEDT)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons

Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys

This international opening round is part of the league’s strategy to expand the sport’s presence in the U.S. and build momentum ahead of future global initiatives.

Round 1 NRL 2026 Fixtures

Round 1 resumes domestically the following weekend, featuring several high-stakes early contests. The best NRL stars will be in play in Round 1 including the League of Inches Top 5 Ranked Fullbacks of 2026

Thursday 5 March 2026

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels — AAMI Park

Friday 6 March 2026

New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters — Go Media Stadium

Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers — Suncorp Stadium

Saturday 7 March 2026

Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders

Sunday 8 March 2026

Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs — Suncorp Stadium

State of Origin 2026: Men’s Series Dates

Stay up to date on content at the State of Origin Hub

Game 1: Wednesday 27 May — Accor Stadium, Sydney

Game 2: Wednesday 17 June — MCG, Melbourne

Game 3: Wednesday 8 July — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Women’s State of Origin – Three-Game Series

Game 1: Thursday 30 April — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Game 2: Thursday 14 May — Suncorp Stadium (Magic Round week)

Game 3: Thursday 28 May — Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Magic Round 2026: Full Fixture List at Suncorp Stadium

Featuring all 16 clubs, Magic Round 2026 expands to a four-day festival held at Suncorp Stadium from 14–17 May 2026.

Thursday 14 May

Women’s State of Origin Game 2 (time TBA)

Friday 15 May

Cronulla Sharks vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs — 6:00pm

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Dolphins — 8:00pm

Saturday 16 May

Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles — 3:00pm

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys — 5:30pm

Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm — 7:45pm

Sunday 17 May

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights — 2:00pm

New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos — 4:00pm

Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons — 6:25pm

NRL Grand Final 2026: Date and Venue

The 2026 Grand Final will once again be staged at:

Accor Stadium, Sydney — Sunday 4 October 2026

With international expansion, blockbuster rivalries from Round 1, and a supersized Magic Round, the 2026 NRL season promises one of the most dynamic schedules the sport has seen.

NRL Schedule Frequently Asked Questions

When does the NRL 2026 season start?

The NRL 2026 season starts with a Las Vegas double-header at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday 28 February 2026 (Sunday 1 March AEDT), followed by Round 1 in Australia and New Zealand from 5–8 March 2026.

Which teams are playing in the NRL 2026 Las Vegas opener?

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs play St George Illawarra Dragons, and Newcastle Knights face North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

When is Magic Round 2026 and who is playing?

Magic Round 2026 runs from 14–17 May at Suncorp Stadium, featuring all 16 NRL clubs plus Women’s State of Origin Game 2. Fixtures include Sharks vs Bulldogs, Rabbitohs vs Dolphins, Tigers vs Sea Eagles, Roosters vs Cowboys, Eels vs Storm, Titans vs Knights, Warriors vs Broncos and Panthers vs Dragons.