Revealed: The full NRL and NRLW draws for 2026
The full NRL and NRLW draws for 2026 have been unveiled, featuring a stack of rivalry games, the near abolishment of despised double headers, an exciting Magic Round and another blockbuster Las Vegas season launch.
CLICK HERE to see the full printable PDF of the NRL draw for 2026.
CLICK HERE to see the full printable PDF of the NRLW draw for 2026.
For the first time in its history, the NRL used artificial intelligence to assist with the creation of the draw.
After releasing it on Friday, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was pleased with the results.
Andrew Abdo at the 2025 NRL grand final. Getty
"No draw is ever perfect, but with the use of new software and a record number of inputs and constraints, the 2026 schedule is finalised and fans have a great deal to get excited about," Abdo said.
"We have focused on fans, player wellbeing and balancing competitive elements.
"The reduction of five-day turnarounds to no more than one per club and the distribution of byes were important outcomes to achieve."
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The season begins with a bang with the fan favourite Las Vegas games, which will be played in February 28 in the US, broadcasting live into the eastern states of Australia on the afternoon of Sunday March 1.
The NRL emphasised that round one was carefully crafted to include several rivalry games, to ensure that the sizzle continues beyond Vegas.
The traditional Easter round (round five) will once again include the Rabbitohs v Bulldogs Good Friday blockbuster and the Eels v Tigers Easter Monday game, while ANZAC Round will once again be headlined by the Dragons v Roosters feature clash.
While being conscious of the fans' needs, the NRL said it had also put fan welfare at the centre of the draw, with the least number of five-day turnarounds in NRL history (down from 21 in 2025 to 12 in 2026). No team has more than one five-day turnaround.
The NRLW draw also included some blockbuster announcements, kicking off with a prime time Thursday night match between 2025 preliminary finalists the Knights and the Sharks on July 2.
Ali Brigginshaw and Tamika Upton of the Broncos hold aloft the 2025 NRLW premiership trophy. Getty
It also features the competition's second ever Magic Round, this time in Wagga Wagga in round five.
"The 2025 season delivered more live ball and ball in play than ever before, along with a record number of golden point matches. In an intense 11-round competition, every moment on the field matters for every club.
"This season the draw delivers a more even distribution of double-header fixtures between the clubs, giving more fans across Australia and New Zealand the chance to experience the women's and men's Premiership on the same game day.
Every NRLW match of the season will be shown live on the Nine Network and 9Now.
