From a preliminary final rematch at Suncorp Stadium to a Grand Final replay at AAMI Park, the opening four rounds of the 2026 NRL season are stacked with heavyweight clashes. Brisbane launch their premiership defence against Penrith, the Roosters and Rabbitohs renew one of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries, and the Battle of Brisbane returns in front of another packed house. Here’s why the first month of 2026 could set the tone for the entire season.
ROUND 1
BRISBANE BRONCOS VS PENRITH PANTHERS, SUNCORP STADIUM. FRIDAY MARCH 6
The first Friday night game of 2026, this preliminary final rematch will have plenty of hype. Penrith are traditionally slow starters, and Brisbane will want to mark their first home game since their premiership with a win, especially after narrowly losing the World Club Challenge. Although the result of this game won’t define the next 27 weeks: in 2023, Brisbane beat Penrith in round 1, while Penrith won in round 12 and in the Grand Final. Regardless of the result, it’s wonderful way to launch Friday Night Footy, with a probable 40,000+ at Suncorp Stadium.
MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES VS CANBERRA RAIDERS, 4 PINES PARK. SATURDAY MARCH 7
Ex-Raiders have a habit of shining in their first game against Canberra, so Jamal Fogarty could get his “Revenge Game” out of the way early. While Manly are Canberra’s bogey team, they split last year’s games (Manly won 40-12 at 4 Pines Park and Canberra won 28-12 at GIO Stadium). This could be the battle of the new halfbacks: Fogarty (Manly) and Ethan Sanders (Canberra). Fogarty struggled during the pressure moments last season, so how patient will Manly fans be with him as DCE’s replacement? Sanders should be Canberra’s starting half for most of 2026, though Coby Black’s arrival from Brisbane could create some competition.
Embed from Getty ImagesROUND 2
SYDNEY ROOSTERS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS, ALLIANZ STADIUM. FRIDAY MARCH 13
The traditional “Easts vs Souths” rivalry has some extra spice in 2026, with Alex Johnston on the verge of passing Ken Irvine. Assuming he scores at least one try against The Dolphins in round 1, the stage will be set for AJ to break the record against the Roosters. Will the Allianz Stadium staff allow fans to celebrate with AJ on the field (like Tony Lockett and Lance “Buddy” Franklin in the AFL)? As for the game, the Roosters will expect to be premiership contenders again after a disappointing end to 2025. How will DCE and Sam Walker gel as the likely halves combo? And can Souths climb their way back up after a few poor seasons?
Embed from Getty ImagesPENRITH PANTHERS VS CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS, CARRINGTON PARK. SATURDAY MARCH 14
After two straight preliminary finals, Cronulla are now legitimate premiership contenders. We’ll probably learn more about the Sharks in this game as they look to set up another strong season and seek an early win against a premiership threat. Penrith have an 8-5-1 record at Carrington Park and will want redemption after losing to Newcastle (albeit without their Origin players) in round 12 last season.
Embed from Getty ImagesROUND 3
CANBERRA RAIDERS VS CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS, GIO STADIUM. THURSDAY MARCH 19
While Canberra had an excellent home record last season (10-1 at GIO Stadium), they also squandered the minor premiership, losing both home finals to Brisbane and Cronulla. In their first home game for 2026 (and one of nine games on Channel 9), Canberra will be desperate to repay home fans immediately. As for Canterbury, what impact will Vegas have? Will a round 2 bye (and two weeks off) help them adjust back to Australia faster? Canberra will want to redress the nightmare second half against Canterbury last season: leading 20-0 at half-time, they lost the second half 32-0 (which in hindsight was a preview of the stage fright that cost them a preliminary final). Canterbury have shown they can be a premiership contender (despite three straight finals losses in 2024 and 2025), and a win against Canberra – even this early in the season – will strengthen those claims.
Embed from Getty ImagesMELBOURNE STORM VS BRISBANE BRONCOS, AAMI PARK. FRIDAY MARCH 20
The 2025 Grand Final rematch will be played in rare clear air for the Storm, with no AFL games at the MCG or Docklands. While Melbourne have dominated Brisbane for years, the Broncos are clawing back that advantage, winning the last two games (round 27 and the Grand Final). After squandering a 22-12 lead in the Grand Final, Melbourne will be motivated to show Brisbane that they’re still dangerous, while Brisbane will be looking for just their fourth win at AAMI Park (with nine straight losses from 2017).
Embed from Getty ImagesROUND 4
BRISBANE BRONCOS VS THE DOLPHINS, SUNCORP STADIUM. FRIDAY MARCH 27
While the Battle of Brisbane has become a blockbuster fixture (unlike the brief and one-sided Brisbane vs South Queensland rivalry in the ’90s), the Broncos have still won five from six. Though there’s an argument to play this in Magic Round (with the Broncos and Dolphins alternating as the home team), the two almost guaranteed sell-outs at Suncorp Stadium means they’re better off as stand-alone games. This is a crucial season for the Redcliffe side: they’re getting closer to the finals, but long-term injuries have hurt them. And their 0-4 start last season cost them a finals spot (finishing with 12 wins and two points outside of the eight). They played exhilarating football at times last season, especially at Suncorp Stadium, and Isaiya Katoa will be a superstar (if he isn’t already). They start the season with Souths, the Gold Coast, and Cronulla, so they could be 2-1 entering this game, and Brisbane (with tough games against Penrith and Melbourne) shouldn’t be far behind.
Embed from Getty ImagesPENRITH PANTHERS VS PARRAMATTA EELS, COMMBANK STADIUM. SATURDAY MARCH 28
The western Sydney derby will be big test for Parramatta. After a slow start last season without Mitchell Moses, the Eels improved as the season progressed and they were the form team outside the top eight (four wins from their last five games). They’ll expect to get closer to the finals in 2026, and a win against Penrith will help build momentum and confidence. It’s harder to judge the Panthers so early in the season: they showed in 2025 they were a premiership threat from seventh place and were 40 good minutes away from a sixth straight Grand Final.
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