NRL draw: Pre-season schedule locked in, when Dylan Brown will face the Eels for the first time
More details of the 2026 draw have been revealed with the pre-season, All Stars and Dylan Brown’s Eels reunion all confirmed.
The annual All Stars clash will head to New Zealand next year for just the second time, while the NRL has reduced the number of double-up clashes after criticism this season over teams playing rivals twice in a matter of weeks.
Hamilton will host the Maori and Indigenous sides on February 15 with men’s, women’s and touch games.
“All Stars is an incredible opportunity for players to represent and connect with their culture through the game they love,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“Each year, the NRL is given the privilege of celebrating the vital influence Maori and Indigenous cultures have had on our game. It marks a special occasion for players, their families, and the entire community.
“After the success of hosting All Stars in Rotorua in 2023, we are excited to once again experience All Stars in the incredible culture of Aotearoa, with a community that is so integral to our game.
“Hamilton has become a regular fixture in the Rugby League season for our NRLW players, and it will be a great stage for the 2026 Harvey Norman All Stars.”
The NRL pre-season draw has also been confirmed with four double-headers across the three rounds, with games to be taken to Mudgee, Gosford, the Sunshine Coast, Mackay and Napier.
There will be a sense of nostalgia when the Raiders host the Storm at Seiffert Oval on February 13, while footy returns to Henson Park when the Sharks face the Eels two days later.
Importantly, fans won’t have to watch double-up contests in 2026, with no return match-ups within four weeks which is down from seven in 2025, while there are no return match-ups within five weeks, down from eight this season.
There are only five return match-ups within six week gaps, but most of those will be a he back end of the season.
That ensures we won’t see a repeat of what happened this year when the Roosters played the Broncos and Panthers twice in the opening seven rounds.
Another marquee clash has also been locked in with Dylan Brown and the Knights to host his former side the Eels in round 13 on May 30.
Round 1
Saturday, Feb 7
Bulldogs vs. Cowboys Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 5.30pm (AEDT)
Dragons vs. Knights Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 7.30pm
Round 2
Thursday, Feb 12
Dolphins vs. Titans Kayo Stadium 7.00pm
Friday, Feb 13
Raiders vs. Storm Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan 5.30pm
Cowboys vs. Panthers BB Print Stadium, Mackay 8.00pm
Saturday, Feb 14
Warriors vs. Sea Eagles Mclean Park, Napier 1.40pm
Wests Tigers vs. Roosters McDonald Jones Stadium 3.50pm
Knights vs. Bulldogs McDonald Jones Stadium 6.00pm
Dragons vs. Rabbitohs WIN Stadium 8.10pm
Sunday, Feb 15
Sharks vs. Eels Henson Park 6.00pm
Round 3
Friday, Feb 20
Warriors vs. Dolphins Leichhardt Oval 6.00pm
Wests Tigers vs. Panthers Leichhardt Oval 8.10pm
Saturday, Feb 21
Sharks vs. Raiders Polytec Stadium, Gosford 3.50pm
Roosters vs. Eels Polytec Stadium, Gosford 6.00pm
Storm vs. Titans Sunshine Coast Stadium 8.10pm
Sunday, Feb 22
Rabbitohs vs. Sea Eagles Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee 4.00pm
Originally published as NRL draw: Pre-season schedule locked in, when Dylan Brown will face the Eels for the first time
