The full 2027 NRL draw is still weeks away, but several major dates have already been locked in, including the Las Vegas season opener, State of Origin in New Zealand, Magic Round in Brisbane, and the debut season of the Perth Bears.
Details still to be announced include the NRL and NRLW grand finals, Las Vegas kick-off times, and the venues and dates for Origin Games 1 and 3.
Confirmed for 2027
| Event | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby League Las Vegas | Sat 27 Feb (local) / Sun 28 Feb AEDT | Storm vs Wests Tigers; Eels vs Titans; Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards |
| Perth Bears debut | 2027 season | Competition’s 18th club, based at HBF Park |
| Warriors ANZAC Round game | 25 April | Eden Park, Auckland |
| State of Origin Game 2 | 16 June | First Origin match in New Zealand |
| Warriors lead-in game | 13 June | Warriors at Eden Park before Origin |
| Magic Round | TBC | Suncorp Stadium, nine games |
| NRL & NRLW Grand Finals | TBC | Venue, date and time not announced |
Las Vegas to open the 2027 season
The 2027 NRL starts at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday 27 February, which is Sunday 28 February AEDT. Melbourne play the Wests Tigers, and Parramatta play the Gold Coast Titans. English Super League sides Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards complete the triple-header.
Kick-off times and the broadcast schedule have not been released. The NRL said those details would follow later.
Melbourne, Wests Tigers, Parramatta and Gold Coast will represent the NRL in the 2027 Las Vegas opener. Among clubs that competed in 2026, the Dolphins are the only side yet to be selected for a Las Vegas season opener. The league’s Vegas deal runs through 2028.
Perth Bears join as the 18th club
2027 is the Perth Bears’ first season. Approved in May 2025, the club will play its home games at HBF Park and has appointed Mal Meninga as its inaugural coach. The Bears become the first top-flight club based in Western Australia since the Western Reds exited the competition after the 1997 season.
The Bears are not in the Vegas opener. Their first match, and the rest of Round 1 in Australia, will be part of the full draw. The PNG Chiefs enter in 2028, not 2027.
Origin Game 2 goes to Eden Park
Game 2 of the 2027 Ampol State of Origin series is at Eden Park on Wednesday 16 June. It is the first Blues–Maroons match played in New Zealand, and only the second Origin game outside Australia, after California in 1987.
The NRL has scheduled a week of marquee rugby league events around the match, including a Warriors game at Eden Park on 13 June, three days before Origin.
Magic Round stays in Brisbane
Magic Round 2027 is at Suncorp Stadium. The existing deal covers 2027. With 18 teams, the round becomes nine games and the bye disappears.
The NRL has not yet released the date, fixtures or scheduling format for the round.
Still to come
- The full draw, including the Australian games in Round 1
- Las Vegas kick-off times and broadcast details
- Origin Games 1 and 3
- Magic Round date and fixtures
- The 2027 NRL grand final venue, date and time
- The 2027 NRLW grand final venue, date and time
- Grand Final re-match date between the Roosters and Knights.
No venue has yet been confirmed for the 2027 NRL grand final. With several marquee events already locked in, the release of the full 2027 NRL draw is now the key announcement fans are waiting for. It will confirm Perth’s first opponent, the remainder of Round 1 and the scheduling of the season’s biggest fixtures.
