NRL 2026 fixtures: Every team's FIVE most important games

With the full NRL draw out for 2026, teams and their fans will have circled dates in their calendars. Must-win games, key outings, rivalry clashes. No team is going to win 24 from 24 throughout the course of an NRL season that is wildly tough to predict at the best of times, but clubs will know the key games they must win. For fans, neutral or supporters, here are the five biggest clashes to watch for each and every NRL side throughout the 2026 season, kicking off in Las Vegas on the first weekend of March and winding itself across Australia and New Zealand over the following six months. Brisbane Broncos Round 1, vs Penrith Panthers, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, March 6, 8pm Round 3, vs Melbourne Storm, at AAMI Park, Friday, March 20, 8pm Round 8, vs Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, April 24, 8pm Round 23, vs The Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, August 8, 5:30pm Round 25, vs Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium, Friday, August 21, 6pm The Broncos are the defending premiers, and so it makes plenty of sense that their biggest adversaries from the 2025 campaign are all features in the matches to watch. Kicking off the season against Penrith, and then having the grand final rematch a fortnight later gives them a blockbuster start, before we look at games against the Bulldogs and Raiders - coming in Round 25, baffingly in the Friday 6pm slot - as huge encounters. It's also hard to overlook the rivalary clash with the Dolphins in the final rounds of the year. Canberra Raiders Round 3, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at GIO Stadium, Thursday, March 19, 8pm Round 4, vs Cronulla Sharks, at GIO Stadium, Sunday, March 29, 4:05pm Round 10, vs Penrith Panthers, at GIO Stadium, Sunday, May 10, 4:05pm Round 16, vs Melbourne Storm, at AAMI Park, Sunday, June 21, 4:05pm Round 25, vs Brisbane Broncos, at GIO Stadium, Friday, August 21, 6pm The Raiders fell agonisingly short of a run through September in 2025, going out in straight sets after taking out the minor premiership. Their list of games to watch features the four preliminary finalists, and that won't come as an enormous surprise. Canterbury Bulldogs Round 5, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Accor Stadium, Friday April 3, 4:05pm Round 6, vs Penrith Panthers, at Accor Stadium, Thursday April 9, 7:50pm Round 14, vs Parramatta Eels, at Accor Stadium, Monday June 9, 4pm Round 23, vs Sydney Roosters, at Allianz Stadium, Monday August 7, 8pm Round 27, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Accor Stadium, Thursday September 3, 7:50pm It's a mix of traditional rivals and enormous games in the five clashes to watch for Canterbury heading into 2026. It's hard to overlook their two public holiday clashes - on Good Friday against South Sydney, and the King's Birthday against the Parramatta Eels, while they also play modern day rivals the Penrith Panthers early in the year in a game that could be a good early measuring stick for both outfits. Late in the year, we are also taking their away clash in Round 23 with the Roosters, and home clash with the Brisbane Broncos - a potential finals preview - as part of their five to watch for the year ahead. Cronulla Sharks Round 6, vs Sydney Roosters, at Optus Stadium (Perth), Saturday, April 11, 5:30pm Round 11, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, May 15, 6pm Round 23, vs St George Illawarra Dragons, at Jubilee Oval, Sunday, August 9, 4:05pm Round 24, vs Canberra Raiders, at Sharks Stadium, Saturday, August 15, 3pm Round 27, vs Melbourne Storm, at Sharks Stadium, Saturday, September 5, 7:30pm The Sharks are back to having one of the competition's easiest draws throughout 2026, but that doesn't mean there aren't some enormous games on the menu for a team who have consistently been close to taking the next step in recent years. Their Magic Round game against the Bulldogs will be enormous, while a trip to Perth early in the season could be an early litmus test against the Roosters. Their late games against the Raiders and Storm also shape as critical, while it's tough to go past their local derby with the Dragons on a Sunday afternoon in August. Gold Coast Titans Round 2, vs The Dolphins, at Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, March 15, 6:15pm Round 5, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday, April 4, 7:30pm Round 9, vs Canberra Raiders, at CBus Super Stadium, Saturday, May 2, 3pm Round 23, vs North Queensland Cowboys, at Cbus Super Stadium, Thursday, August 6, 7:50pm Round 26, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at CBus Super Stadium, Saturday, August 29, 3pm The Titans get a number of key derby games out of the way early in their season, with games against the Dolphins Round 2 and Broncos in Round 5 being key chances to start a process of transofmration under new coach Josh Hannay. A Round 9 clash with the Raiders is a real chance to prove themselves, before they face the Cowboys in Round 23 at home in another key clash. The Titans play four of their last five at home, and none of those could be more important than the Round 26 clash against the Rabbitohs if they are anywhere near being in contention for a top eight berth. Manly Sea Eagles Round 1, vs Canberra Raiders, at 4 Pines Park, Saturday, March 7, 7:30pm Round 4, vs Sydney Roosters, at 4 Pines Park, Thursday, March 26, 8pm Round 10, vs Brisbane Broncos, at 4 Pines Park, Saturday, May 9, 7:30pm Round 17, vs Melbourne Storm, at 4 Pines Park, Saturday, June 27, 7:30pm Round 27, vs New Zealand Warriors, at Go Media Stadium, Saturday, September 5, 3pm The Sea Eagles will enter 2026 as one of the competition's most under pressure teams - there can be no mistake made about that. They have a chance to get on the front foot early too with games against the Raiders and Roosters in the opening month of the campaign. Their Round 10 home game against the Broncos will also be vital leading into Magic Round and the State of Origin period beyond that. Even though it comes during the Origin period, a game against the Storm is never one to take your eyes off, while a final round tustle in Auckland against the Warriors could be critical. Melbourne Storm Round 1, vs Parramatta Eels, at AAMI Park, Thursday, March 5, 8pm Round 3, vs Brisbane Broncos, at AAMI Park, Friday, March 20, 8pm Round 5, vs Penrith Panthers, at CommBank Stadium, Friday, April 3, 8pm Round 9, vs The Dolphins, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, May 1, 8pm Round 22, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at AAMI Park, Friday, July 31, 8pm The Storm kick-off their season against the Eels, and despite the beating they handed out last year, it's a match that still makes this list with Jonah Pezet clashing with his old club. The grand final rematch in Round 3, and rivalry against Penrith in Round 5, are the next obvious games to watch for the Storm, although every team will want to be up against them. Last year, the Dolphins stunned the Storm at the back-end of the season, and get a chance to do it again in Round 9 this year, while the biggest game at the back-end of the year for Melbourne could well come against Canterbury in a repeat of a 2025 qualifying final in the Victorian capital. Newcastle Knights Round 1, vs North Queensland Cowboys, at Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), Sunday, March 1, TBC Round 5, vs Canberra Raiders, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday, April 5, 4:05pm Round 13, vs Parramatta Eels, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday, May 30, 3pm Round 21, vs Sydney Roosters, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Friday, July 24, 6pm Round 26, vs New Zealand Warriors, at Go Media Stadium, Sunday, August 30, 2pm The Knights start their season in Las Vegas under the coaching of Justin Holbrook for the first time, so that will be an obvious one to kep an eye on. They have had some quality clashes with the Raiders in recent years, so that Round 5 match is one pencilled in, while Dylan Brown's first game against his old club at the Eels comes in Round 13. If the Knights are going to be in the mix, then games against the Roosters and Warriors on the road in the final six weeks of the season seem the time to prove it. New Zealand Warriors Round 2, vs Canberra Raiders, at Go Media Stadium , Friday, March 13, 6pm Round 6, vs Melbourne Storm, at AAMI Park, Saturday, April 11, 7:30pm Round 13, vs Penrith Panthers, at CommBank Stadium, Sunday, May 31, 6:15pm Round 17, vs The Dolphins, at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, June 27, 3pm Round 21, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium, Saturday, July 25, 5:30pm The Warriors start their season with back-to-back home games against top eight contenders in the Roosters and Raiders. One of those is included in the five to watch, because there simply so many big matches for the Auckland-based outfit this year. Melbourne and Penrith on the road headline the start of their campaign, while an Origin period clash against the Dolphins (which falls in the full round), could be an excellent clash. They have some big games at the back-end of the year too with road trips to see the Bulldogs and Broncos, as well as a home game against Penrith - we will take the encounter with Canterbury. North Queensland Cowboys Round 6, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, April 10, 8pm Round 7, vs Manly Sea Eagles, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Thursday, April 16, 7:50pm Round 9, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium, Friday, May 1, 6pm Round 11, vs Sydney Roosters, at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, May 16, 5:30pm Round 22, vs Sydney Roosters, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Thursday, July 30, 7:50pm As one might expect, the Cowboys matches to watch starts with one against the Broncos on the road in Round 10. The traditional Queensland rivals always put on big games. North Queensland clash with Manly and Canterbury in the following rounds in games that could shape their season, before clashing with the Roosters during Magic Round. Round 22 sees them face the Sydney Roosters at home in a game which could go a long way towards telling us whether they are a chance at doing anything in the business end of the season. Parramatta Eels Round 1, vs Melbourne Storm, at AAMI Park, Thursday, March 5, 8pm Round 4, vs Penrith Panthers, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Saturday, March 28, 5:30pm Round 5, vs Wests Tigers, at CommBank Stadium, Monday, April 6, 4:05pm Round 14, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium, Sydney, Monday, June 8, 4:00pm Round 23, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday, August 8, 7:30pm The Eels were blown out of the water in their first game of 2025 against the Storm, and with Jonah Pezet on deck, will be desperate to right the wrongs. Their Round 4 clash against the Panthers, and Easter Monday game against the Tigers, are also likely to be must-watch encounters. So too will their Kings Birthday clash against Canterbury in Round 14, while a Round 23 game against South Sydney could see two teams approaching the end of a much improved campaign do battle. Penrith Panthers Round 1, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday March 6, 8pm Round 4, vs Parramatta Eels, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Saturday March 28, 5:30pm Round 5, vs Melbourne Storm, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Friday April 3, 8pm Round 14, vs Wests Tigers, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Sunday June 7, 2pm Round 26, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, Friday August 28, 8pm It should be no surprise to see Penrith's matches to watch are littered with likely top four opposition. They play three enormous matches in the first five weeks, against Brisbane, Melbourne, and local rivals Parramatta. Moving further through the year, their rivalry with the Tigers, despite the joint-venture club's struggles, have come one to watch in recent years. Round 26 against the Bulldogs also looks a good one. South Sydney Rabbitohs Round 2, vs Sydney Roosters, at Allianz Stadium, Friday, March 13, 8pm Round 5, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium, Friday, Arpil 3, 4:05pm Round 8, vs Melbourne Storm, at AAMI Park, Saturday, April 25, 8:10pm Round 11, vs The Dolphins, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, May 15, 8pm Round 22, vs Cronulla Sharks, at Sharks Stadium, Sunday, August 2, 2pm The Rabbitohs head into the year with a number of big games to be played early. Their first clash against arch rivals the Roosters comes in Round 2, before they tackle the Bulldogs on Good Friday, and the Storm on Anzac Day. Magic Round presents the threat of the ever attacking Dolphins, before the Sharks away from home could be the pick of the games on the run home to tell us if the Maroubra-based club are a chance of enough improvement to sneak into the finals. St George Illawarra Dragons Round 1, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, March 1, TBC Round 7, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Accor Stadium, Saturday, April 18, 5:30pm Round 8, vs Sydney Roosters, at Allianz Stadium, Saturday, April 25, 4pm Round 13, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, May 31, 2pm Round 23, vs Cronulla Sharks, at Jubilee Oval, Sunday, August 9, 4:05pm The Dragons will start their season against bogey club the Bulldogs desperately chasing a positive start after their dismal 2025 fadeout. Back-to-back Saturday games against the Rabbitohs and Roosters (on Anzac Day) in Rounds 7 and 8 then set the tone for their season, before they travel to Brisbane early in the Origin period. It's a game the Dragons won last year, and they'd love to repeat the dose this time around. Their second clash against the Sharks at Kogarah also shapes as an important date on the calendar. Sydney Roosters Round 2, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Allianz Stadium, Friday, March 13, 8pm Round 3, vs Penrith Panthers, at Allianz Stadium, Friday, March 20, 6pm Round 6, vs Cronulla Sharks, at Optus Stadium, Saturday, April 11, 5:30pm Round 14, vs Canberra Raiders, at GIO Stadium, Friday, June 5, 8pm Round 26, vs The Dolphins, at Allianz Stadium, Saturday, August 29, 5:30pm The Roosters clash with the Rabbitohs in Round 2, and the Panthers in Round 3, in back-to-back games which will set the tone for their season. A trip to Perth in Round 6 against the Sharks could throw up anything, while a match against the Raiders in Round 14 could be another to watch despite being in the middle of the Origin period. Their back of the season is littered with big games too, but few seem like they could carry more top eight importance than the Round 26 game against the Dolphins. The Dolphins Round 1, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, March 8, 4:05pm Round 4, vs Brisbane Broncos, at Suncorp Stadium, Friday, March 27, 8pm Round 8, vs New Zealand Warriors, at Sky Stadium, Wellington, Saturday, April 25, 6:05pm Round 14, vs North Queensland Cowboys, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday, June 6, 5:30pm Round 27, vs Gold Coast Titans, at Cbus Super Stadium, Friday, September 4, 6pm The Dolphins kick their season off against the Rabbitohs, and not for the first time. That will be another chance for the Dolphins to beat their old boss, and to ensure they pick up where they left off. They clash with crosstown rivals and defending premiers the Broncos in Round 4, while a game on Anzac Day against the Warriors carries extra importance. We will take their Queensland derbies against the Cowboys and Titans as the others to watch. Wests Tigers Round 2, vs North Queensland Cowboys, at Leichhardt Oval, Saturday, March 14, 3pm Round 5, vs Parramatta Eels, at CommBank Stadium, Monday, April 6, 4:05pm Round 11, vs Manly Sea Eagles, at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, May 16, 3pm Round 14, vs Penrith Panthers, at CommBank Stadium, Sunday, June 7, 2pm Round 25, vs Sydney Roosters, at Allianz Stadium, Sunday, August 23, 4:05pm The Tigers are an intriguing team to work through for 2026 as Benji Marshall continues his rebuild. They have had a topsy turvy rivalry with the Cowboys in recent years, so starting their season against them suggests it could throw up anything. Their public holiday game against the Eels in Round 5 is another that is circled on the calendar, while we also have magic round against the Sea Eagles as a critical clash. Round 14 sees the Tigers clash with the Panthers in a game that has thrown up some surprisingly close scores in recent times, before the joint-venture's game against the Roosters in Round 25 looks as if it could be critical.