2026 Draw, Venues, Info

[Vic Mackey]

Sounds like the Tigers should have been more open to Vegas lol.

it wouldn’t surprise me if this is part of it

dick swinging from PVLover richo

 

[Timmah]

Its 3 weeks since your last game as no trials are the week before round 1

While I agree generally that a R1 bye sucks, this isn't the case. The final weekend of trials is the weekend before Vegas, so its only 2 weeks between

 

[Vic Mackey]

While I agree generally that a R1 bye sucks, this isn't the case. The final weekend of trials is the weekend before Vegas, so its only 2 weeks between

sunday 22nd feb is 3 weeks until Sunday 15th march

 

[Timmah]

sunday 22nd feb is 3 weeks until Sunday 15th march

So you got the time wrong in your tweet, because you asserted there are no trials the week before Round 1, which isn't true. We're both dumb merkins

 

[Captain Apollo]

AI really lacks creativity ... Parramatta away to Melbourne again. Did they just cut and paste 2025?

In all seriousness, you should ask Roosters and Souths fans how many times our teams have played each other in Round 1 since 2002. It makes your comment about Parra v Storm pale by comparison.

 

[yobbo84]

In all seriousness, you should ask Roosters and Souths fans how many times our teams have played each other in Round 1 since 2002. It makes your comment about Parra v Storm pale by comparison.

2002
2004-2014 (yes, every year)
2016
2019

 

[insert.pause]

The NRL should schedule Storm v Broncos GF rematch at the MCG on a Saturday night during afl fake magic round & screened live on FTA.

 

[Diesel]

The Tigers are going to have to put their hand up for Vegas in 2028 so they can actually get a game in Round 1 when they go back to odd numbers of teams

It’s never the Broncos or Roosters getting R1 byes, going back to 2002

 

[Penrose Warrior]

A bye in round 1 is undoubtedly the worst round to get it and the biggest disadvantage. Every other team has blown out the round 1 cob webs whilst you get to do it against a team whos had a serious run under their belt.

Its 3 weeks since your last game as no trials are the week before round 1

Then you essentially get 1 less bye during the year. Byes are massive for teams to get a rest, a 3 week injury only misses 2 games, if you had a HIA the week before you dont miss a game etc.

Yeah, I feel sorry for the Tigers. A bye in round 1 sucks a gigantic one. Your fans hate it, they just want to watch you play footy. You as players hate it for a similar reason. Plus you basically lose a bye, then you play a team in week 2 who has already had an 80 minute hit out to get up to speed.

Maybe they should consider other concessions, like an extra bye, or access to when they want to have them after being flagged as the round one recipient

 

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2026 Draw: what you need to know » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

Magic Rounds revealed​

The NRL and NRLW Magic Rounds are confirmed!

Brisbane's annual event is packed with blockbusters including a Wahs-Broncos showdown on the Sunday afternoon.

NRL Magic Round - Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, 14-17 May:

Thursday 14 May
Women's State of Origin Game 3 @ Suncorp Stadium
Friday 15 May
Sharks v Bulldogs, 6.00pm (AEST) - Fox
Rabbitohs v Dolphins, 8.00pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
Saturday 16 May
Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles, 3.00pm (AEST) - Fox
Roosters v Cowboys, 5.30pm (AEST) - Fox
Eels v Storm, 7.45pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
Sunday 17 May
Titans v Knights, 2.00pm (AEST) - Fox
Warriors v Broncos, 4.00pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
Panthers v Dragons, 6.25pm (AEST) - Fox

BYE: Canberra.

Meanwhile, the NRLW Magic Round is headed to the regional city of Wagga Wagga!

NRLW Magic Round - 1-2 August, Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga:

Saturday, August 1
Sharks v Wests Tigers - 12 noon
Dragons v Roosters - 2.15pm
Raiders v Cowboys - 4.15pm

Sunday, August 2
Bulldogs v Broncos - 12 noon
Warriors v Titans - 1.45pm
Eels v Knights - 4.00pm

 

[steeden.]

Storm eels for magic round again!

 

[skeepe]

Nice work NRL. Why would you want the minor premiers at Magic Round anyway?

Oh well, saves me some money because I was gonna go this year.

 

[Valheru]

N

It’s never the Broncos or Roosters getting R1 byes, going back to 2002

Nor has it been Cowboys, Dolphins, Knights, souths, Penrith, Parra or Dogs

 

[Dogs Of War]

It’s never the Broncos or Roosters getting R1 byes, going back to 2002

Put the Roosters down near the bottom of the table for a few years in a row, and I'm sure that would happen.

For the Bronco's it would required that to happen for more than a few years, plus another Brisbane team added to the comp. So not in my lifetime.

 

[insert.pause]

Warriors wouldn’t be happy to lose a home game against Brisbane.

 

[Evil_Mush]

Warriors wouldn’t be happy to lose a home game against Brisbane.

Warriors as the home team playing Broncos away in Brisbane is kinda funny - given we have given a home game away every Magic Round since it started, I'm happy to play a marquee team at least.

I wonder if we end up playing them twice if they'll return the favour and take their home game over the ditch

The fact it's on a Sunday though, there's gonna be some weary heads in the crowd that game hah! If I do end up going over for it I need to make sure I go large on the Friday only, and leave Saturday night relatively alcohol free, do not wanna be at the game hungover as f@ck, done that a couple of times for Auckland roadies and it's an absolute waste of time hah!

 

[Captain Apollo]

It's been mentioned in other press reports today, but this was on the NRL's own website -

Grand final rematch: Revenge is a dish best served in Round 3, 2026

With the pain of grand final defeat still burning, the Melbourne Storm will get a shot at redemption against the Broncos in Round 3 of the 2026 season.

www.nrl.com

Slightly surprised that the Storm get to host the GF rematch.

 

[Dogs Of War]

It's been mentioned in other press reports today, but this was on the NRL's own website -

Grand final rematch: Revenge is a dish best served in Round 3, 2026

With the pain of grand final defeat still burning, the Melbourne Storm will get a shot at redemption against the Broncos in Round 3 of the 2026 season.

www.nrl.com

Slightly surprised that the Storm get to host the GF rematch.

I'd say that Brisbane are getting a crowd either way. While a grand final rematch in Melbourne early in the season has potential to draw a good crowd and interest down south.

 

[yobbo84]

So we play the Dolphins as the home team in Brisbane in magic round, just 2 months after playing them in Brisbane. Ok.

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

So we play the Dolphins as the home team in Brisbane in magic round, just 2 months after playing them in Brisbane. Ok.

"Home teams" get a 300k bonus for taking home games there. That's probably equivalent to 2-3 regular home games for the bunnies, no?